Chong
Avatar: The Last Airbender

Inspiration:  Anyone who has seen Avatar knows that Chong is the man, even though he’s only in one episode.  Whenever we’re introducing people to the show we always start by showing them his episode, “The Cave of Two Lovers”.  Chong and his band are a group of wandering nomads without a care in the world.  He’s dumb as a brick, but can make up some pretty awesome songs on the spot!  Tom wasn’t sure which character he wanted to be from Avatar, but when he stumbled across a small, red mandolin, his decision was made.

Materials/Construction Details:  I had the task of making this costume in just a week, so luckily it wasn’t too difficult.  Tom and I went to the fabric store and picked out the bright blues, yellows, and greens that make up Chong’s outfit.  I was able to use a basic robe pattern for the top and freehanded the pattern for the underskirt.  Tom made the hat himself modifying a hat from a costume shop and adding the red boas on top.  The slippers and lei really capture the essence of Chong’s nature.

Wig:  The wig was actually a cheap costume store wig in a mullet style.  I trimmed it up, put layers in it, and flipped it out.  Surprisingly, it worked.

Prop:  I believe the mandolin originally had strawberries on it, but Tom painted it solid red.  It’s too bad there wasn’t more time or he would have learned how to play a couple songs.