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Did You Ever Notice... Gimli's Fellowship Costume?

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 2 2008, 8:03pm Views: 21296 Did You Ever Notice... Gimli's Fellowship Costume? This week marks the One Year Anniversary of Did You Ever Notice. Gimli's costume, which is worn from the Council of Elrond until the Coronation, where he finally changes clothes, weighed more than 70 pounds. I'm afraid that the pictures I've posted don't do the details justice. THIS PICTURE is a fabulous one for the details. Sadly, it's too large for the boards and with each resize I found myself disheartened by the lack of detail. I highly recommend taking a look. You can see here the pants (and suspenders!) and the undershirt with mail sleeves built in. Obviously, a full mail shirt would be prohibitavely heavy and expensive, especially when it would never be seen. Over his pants he would wear a wrap skirt of more chainmaille. Over this, he wears a simple tunic, my guess is that the fabric is wool but that could be entirely false. They added braided leather along the hem and over the shoulders. And over all of this we get various armor pieces and this great belt with shoulder straps. I hope that you can see the mail in some of these pictures. It's not a traditional chainmaille pattern, but rather is based on Japanese maille. It consists of a silver disc, like a washer, held to four other discs (one on each side) by copper wire. Something like this: His belt The belt buckle. I hope that you can see some of the design along the edge of the belt, here. And his pack. This might also be the best shot of his maille. His shoulder armor: His gloves and vambraces: And don't forget the helmet and boots! I'm going to send you off both to AlleyCatScratch and to Reera the Red's Screencap Library, with shots from the EE galleries for more details. Any thoughts? Did You Ever Notice? is a running look at the costumes from LOTR. There isn't a particular order of costumes nor does it appear on any particular day. You can always find previous discussions on my Costume Discussion Archive. My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Ataahua Forum Admin / Moderator Dec 3 2008, 12:20am Views: 17786 Gimli's costume vies with Boromir's for my favourite outfit in LOTR. The design of Gimli's outfit is unequivocal in its heritage, and both his and Boromir's are rich in detail and in fabrics that tell their own stories about the wearer. And I *love* that Gimli's helmet is undeniably Dwarven as well as useful as a protection, while not looking ridiculous (or hiding much of Gimli's face). The designers must have workshopped his whole look to death to make it work so well. In one thing I think they've been particularly cunning: The amount of items that make up his outfit make Gimli look quite wide (compare the first two photos), which also help make him look *short* - handy for convincing us that John Rhys Davies is a Dwarf. Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..." Dwarves: "Pretty rings..." Men: "Pretty rings..." Sauron: "Mine's better." "Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak. Ataahua's stories

weaver Half-elven Dec 3 2008, 2:01am Views: 17657 Happy one year anniversary! You've certainly contributed to me noticing a lot I never noticed over the last year. Many thanks! In terms of Gimli, here, I really like the angular, blocky designs used to decorate his belt, helmet and the trimmings on his clothes. The elves are all curves and natural lines -- but Gimli is all about angles and sharp edges and hard lines. His outfit fits with the architectural style of Moria in that way. Since we see so little of dwarvish culture in the films, these glimpses of what the dwarves wear, and one place they lived, are especially important. I know in the commentaries Phillipa says "if you want to know about dwarven culture, you cast John Rhys Davies in the role, and he'll show and tell it to you". Very true of course. But the clothes certainly help to make the man..er..dwarf in this case! Weaver

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 3 2008, 3:27am Views: 17662 The proportions are great When I was putting this together, in fact, I had a hard time remembering that JRD is over 6 feet tall! My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 3 2008, 3:35am Views: 17632 Thanks weaver! I think the dwarves had to be the hardest race to design. Just my opinion, but everyone knows what an elf should look like and what Medieval men look like. But how do you draw on an ancient Dwarvish tradition that just isn't there? The design team did a great job making them different from the other races but still plausibly from the same world. My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

SaulComposer Rohan Dec 3 2008, 4:52am Views: 17664 Gimli I think that Gimli's character gives the LOTR an ancient feel . Love the pictures. Thanks! www.saulcomposer.com

Alcarcalime Tol Eressea Dec 3 2008, 7:02am Views: 17747 Congratulations... on a year of great posts. I really have enjoyed these posts. When I watch the movies, I really don't see all the detail. They put so much into these cosumes. I never really looked so closely at Gimli's costume. I think it takes a man as big as John Rys-Davies to wear all that and look right. It never seemed to overwhelm him. I could always tell the scale double. Thanks again for such enjoyable posts. Movie Technical Discussion -- Index

Ainu Laire Tol Eressea Dec 3 2008, 4:12pm Views: 17606 Happy one year anniversary! What I love about these costumes is that they all obviously are based around different cultures; Gimli's costume looks so different from anyone else's outfit. It's really wonderful. My LJ My art site NARF since age 8, when I refused to read the Hobbit because the cover looked boring and icky.

simplyaven Grey Havens Dec 3 2008, 5:49pm Views: 17606 Happy Birthday to Did You Ever Notice! Cheers for a great series! I really enjoyed these posts and I've learned a great deal! This one is very educational too, as this is the first time I see the details of Gimli's costume. I agree with the others that it is remarkable how much work and time is invested in every little piece. Fantastic! Gimli's costume is so... historical, heavy with meaning. Very nice, I love it. Culinary journey through Middle Earth continues! Join us on November 15 on the Main board I believe

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 3 2008, 7:01pm Views: 17602 Thanks for taking a look I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 3 2008, 7:53pm Views: 17602 Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed this post. I didn't see most of the detail the first few times, either. But then I got pretty obssesive about the details when I first learned how to sew, and here I am! My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 3 2008, 7:55pm Views: 17616 With five different races, I'd have run out of ideas! I love that no race's costumes look overly similar to any of the other costumes. But none of them look ridiculously different, either. It's a very fine line to tread in fantasy costuming and I think Ngila nailed it with Gimli! My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 3 2008, 8:05pm Views: 17627 Gimli's costume gets so little attention Hardly anyone recreates it. I'm glad to show off some of the details! I had a geology professor who wanted to change the way we saw the landscape. He said that was his only goal for the class. I guess that I have a similar goal, here. If I have been able to change the way anyone sees these costumes, then I'm happy. But then again, I suppose you guys already knew how great these costumes are. My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Ataahua Forum Admin / Moderator Dec 3 2008, 11:39pm Views: 17587 I'm not surprised. In Reply To Hardly anyone recreates it. His costume has 'heinous amount of work and a good posibility of a poor result' written all over it! Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..." Dwarves: "Pretty rings..." Men: "Pretty rings..." Sauron: "Mine's better." "Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak. Ataahua's stories

weaver Half-elven Dec 4 2008, 1:21am Views: 17589 nobody dresses as a dwarf!//   Weaver

grammaboodawg Immortal Dec 4 2008, 1:26am Views: 17596 Already!? Happy Anniversary!! :D Do you think there are enough costumes to give us another year *winkie, wink* Good Job!! :D I love Gimli's costume. So much of the detailing is straight from the runes and walls of Moria. The squared edges and sharp lines looks like the doorways and caverns of their kingdoms. I really developed an appreciation after seeing his costume at the LotR Exhibit. I think his beard is as much a part of his costume as any buckle or axe ;) I still can express how much I enjoy these posts, Arwen's daughter. Thank you so much! "Barney Snow was here." ~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..." I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world. TORn's Observations Lists

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 4 2008, 2:27am Views: 17572 Thanks gramma! I have a list of 51 costumes still to do, assuming that I can find pictures for all of them. I think it's safe to say that these posts will stick around for at least another year. My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

simplyaven Grey Havens Dec 4 2008, 2:54am Views: 17577 No, it was you who showed me how great the costumes are and I thank you! //   Culinary journey through Middle Earth continues! Join us on November 15 on the Main board I believe

Elven Valinor Dec 4 2008, 9:22am Views: 17566 Congratulations on your 1st year anniversary! I love your threads!! (bad pun ) and am looking forward to the next year! - then we can do it all over again! Thankyou so much Arwen's Daughter! What I love about Gimli's costume is that is really does look like a miners outfit - his 'uniform' - it is practical - well it looks practical and worn, as if he has been working in it. It almost looks weary - and I think that that's becasue of the percieved weight of the costume - a strong solid outfit for strong solid work! When Gimli runs across the plains with that costume on he make me feel tired. Now there's a load to bear! The chain maille design is lovely! I wonder if we will see the Dwarves in The Hobbit in a similar linked outit. (I hope they keep the continuity going - maybe with Gloins chainmaille - that would be a really nice touch!) When I look at all the stuff JRD had to wear including wigs and prosthetics, I think he did an amazing job with his character. It must have been difficult to endure (and as well as being allergic to his prosthetics!) Thankyou AD!! Your a gem! Cheers Elven x Swishtail. Tolkien was a Capricorn!! Russell Crowe for Beorn!! Avatar: Liberace - The other Lord of the Rings. Quote of The Week: The thing is I always write in the morning, and I know that if I go to the Net I won’t write ... you can start in the most scholarly website and end up at Paris Hilton dot com .. GdT

grammaboodawg Immortal Dec 4 2008, 9:50am Views: 17572 *squeee* Awesome! :D //   "Barney Snow was here." ~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..." I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world. TORn's Observations Lists

Alassëa Eruvande Valinor Dec 4 2008, 2:25pm Views: 17559 Happy Anniversary! I know I don't reply to your costume threads, but I do look at each one. I just don't know enough about sewing, etc., to make any intelligent remarks. But I do enjoy reading about the different costumes and look forward to seeing many more! Thanks! And suddenly the Ainur saw afar off a light, as it were a cloud with a living heart of flame. SFTH Archive

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 5 2008, 3:21am Views: 17529 Thanks Elven! I love your point on how old and worn his costume is. I can't wait to see what GDT and the others do with the dwarves in The Hobbit. I hope they manage to keep up the style of LOTR. My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 5 2008, 3:42am Views: 17529 Thank you! I appreciate every view that these posts get, even from those who don't have a chance to comment on them. Thanks for letting me know you're out there My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

Loresilme Valinor Dec 6 2008, 3:34am Views: 17561 And I can't wait to see more of these types of details in The Hobbit! Surely they have in mind to show us more of the Dwarves culture and craft. I already feel a bit sorry though, for those poor fellows if they'll all be having to lug around 70 pounds of costume every day too. Although poor JRD had to bear it all on his own ... at least in The Hobbit there will a whole bunch of them to console each other about their aching bods :-). I'm amazed at the packs on his back - again, the amount of detail and care they put into things that were barely, if ever even, seen in the film is just mind-boggling. Amazing. Great photos, Arwen's daughter! And congratulations on a year of an absolutely fabulous discussion series. Thank you for all the effort and love you put into it. Very much appreciated :-).

batik Tol Eressea Dec 6 2008, 4:07am Views: 17580 The original "steel" toed-boots?!? Love'em! For some reason they remind me of children's boots-the "shortness" of the foot from heel to toe but with the bulk/substance needed for a dwarf. Also really like the work on the leather goods. And the tunic with its detail along the hem. And the helmet-know I like this one more than those worn by the soldiers of Gondor and probably more than those worn by the Rohirrim. All in all-those dwarves have some nice, if rugged, threads!

simplyaven Grey Havens Dec 10 2008, 8:37pm Views: 5054 Who will design the costumes for The Hobbit? Do you know or is it part of the cast, i.e. top secret? Culinary journey through Middle Earth continues! Join us on November 15 on the Main board I believe

Arwen's daughter Half-elven Dec 12 2008, 8:11pm Views: 5022 Sadly, I don't know If I did, you can bet I'd share the information! I believe Ngila was hired about 6 months before shooting began, though I could have that wrong. I suspect that we won't know anything about the costumes until at least late next year. My LiveJournal My Costuming Site TORn's Costume Discussions Archive The Screencap of the Day Schedule for December

simplyaven Grey Havens Dec 12 2008, 8:18pm Views: 5029 I see :( //   Culinary journey through Middle Earth continues! Join us on November 15 on the Main board I believe

N.E. Brigand Half-elven Jan 10 2009, 4:52am Views: 5074 He shouldn't have a helmet. In the book, Gimli doesn't have a helmet when he sets out from Rivendell, but at Edoras he "chose a cap of iron and leather that fitted well upon his round head". <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> We're discussing The Lord of the Rings in the Reading Room, Oct. 15, 2007 - Mar. 22, 2009! Join us Jan. 5-11 for "Homeward Bound". +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= How to find old Reading Room discussions.