Xena Authentic Complete Costume (Part 1)

Hi guys,

Today I bring good news! These previous weeks Ive adquired a complete Xena Costume from the Omarama Gallery, Totara Peak Gallery, in New Zealand. The costume includes a complete Xena leather costume with an original medallion and chakram hook, breastplate, shoulder guards, backplate, a pair of xena gaunlets and armbands, a pair of kneepads and boots.

As you can see the complete costume looks amazing in the mannequin, Im still looking for a complete mannequin with legs, it will come soon, I hope. We start! are you ready?

Xena Leather Costume / Leathers: It is made of genuine dark leather, I imagine this costume was made in the lastest seasons because of the colour of the leather used. In the early seasons Xena costume was brown/ reddish dark brown and in season 5 she reappeared with a costume in darker shade in the episode "Amphipolis under Siege" and the whole season 6. The medallion is made out of a heavy resin and the chakram hook is strong metal hook covered with leather and its attached to the costume with a leather strip. In addition, the costume has a metallic-looking fabric that is under the leather skirt. It looks amazing!

Xena Breastplate: Quite different than the Todds replica, is bigger and the middle part of the breast is covered with leather and painted in copper tones, the breastplate made by Todds has that part made of resin and painted in black. It is made of moduled plastic, in the series they've made plenty of breastplates in different materials: metal (cooper), other alloy metal, and resin and plastic for the ones used by doubles to to avoid damage in stunts or fight scenes. It has an ultra realistic finish in cooper tones, in both sides has a leather strap so that the breastplate can be held easily.

Xena Backplate: Same as the breastplate, ultra realistic finish in cooper tones, made out of moduled plastic. It is slightly curved inwards to adapt correctly to the shape of the back and has four leather straps so it can be held easily in the right place.

 Xena Shoulder Guards: The shoulder guards are made of heavy leather like the one used for the gaunlets and armbands and the armour is moduled plastic with an ultra realistic finish.

 Xena Gaunlets: These gaunlets were sold by Creation Entertainment and were made by the propmasters from the tv series. This ones are my favourites, they are made of genuine dark brown leather and real cooper. They have many old gold rivets and eyelets to adjust them to anybody. Although, it is Lucy Lawless size and they looks amazing in the mannequin, however, they are quite different than Todds gaunlets replica.

 Xena Armbands: These armbands were sold by Creation Entertainment and were made by the propmasters from the tv series. As the gaunlets, these are highly detailed, very well done and made out of leather and real cooper. They have nothing to envy to the Todds replicas.



Because of this costume was adquired just a week ago, Im still taking some pictures of all the accesories and details. For the moment, I end up the entry and as soon Ive got some pictures from the kneeguards and boots I will be back here again. Best wishes, hope you enjoy your time with this post.

Talking about Xena's Greaves

The Xena's Greaves/Kneepads/Kneeguards are one of my favourite Xena's costume piece. It's highly detailed with different sizes of rivets, and a dragon claws shape around.

Comparing Xena's Original screen-used greaves photo from the Te Papa Museum in New Zealand and the replicas from Todd's Costumes, I have observed that they almost look alike. Both, the screen-used and Todd's replica is made of leather and rivets are placed in the same way. Here it's a comparision:

In my opinion, first, Todd's greaves replicas are made with a light brown leather and the original ones is darker. When I've received my Xena greaves I've worked carefully to find the same painting for the dragon claws details and I tried to paint it in the same way as the original. I think finally Ive got a good result!! Also, the dragon claws shape has minimal differences bewteen the screen-used and the replica, the ones in the Todd's replica are bigger and are closer together than the shape from the screen-used one. However, in my opinion, is one of the best works Todd Coyle ever made.

Xena's Greaves Front. Here is a clear photo to see how the Todds replicas look. I think they look absolutely incredible. 

Xena Greaves Back. I wanted to show the back part because we have always seen the front part but is less common to see the back part. I have to admit that Ive sewn to the leather pieces a real sport black knee pads to get a greater resemblance to the original Xena Knee Greaves.

I want to share some photographs where the kneepads can be seen worn by Lucy Lawless.

Xena wearing her Knee guards in "A Family Affair" from season 4.

Xena fighting wearing her knee greaves.

Xena during the first season in the episode "Beware Greeks bearing Gifts"

Next blog entry will talk about Gabrielle season 6 costume. Hope you like it!