Viktoria

Character Design Commission

Design explanation:

1 - Outfit inspired by old Russian royalty. She wears a kokoshnik (russian crown) whose patterns resemble a snowflake. The veil that falls from it surrounds her arms,and restricts her, the lightness of the veil a nod to aurora borealis while its restrictiveness is a nod to puppet strings. Pearls cover her neck and spread across her dress as if they were chains, a way to showcase the unfreedom of her status.
2 - Outfit inspired by countryside russian aesthetic.The theme of restriction continues with her hair. It wraps around her like ropes, tight and difficult to escape. However, a portion of her hair is cut and flowing in the wind. A clue to her possible freedom.
3 - Outfit inspired by the Russian tale, The Snow Queen. Her scar is expanded by many cuts on the side of her body, their patterns resembling frost crystals that appear on windows on cold days. The same pattern also appears in her dress and crown, a connection with the concept of wearing her scars with pride.
4 - Outfit inspired by the lightness and airness of aurora borealis. A spiked crown is over her head but the most outstanding element are the strings she clutches between her fingers and her teeth, alongside the stick. It is a self made violin, a nod that her freedom will come at a great effort and only made possible if she builds it herself.
5 - Inspired by the bird of sorrow in Viktor Vasetsov's painting. A more body altering approach. A heavy crown rests on her head. Her hair curls around her body. Her arms have shifted into small and uneven wings, covered in wires.