TARDIS Gown for the Women of Valour Calendar

This dress was created for the Women of Valour Calendar and is modelled by J.M. Frey. Frey designed and commissioned the costume from Kenneth Shelley of Strange Days Costuming.

Photo: Christine Mak. Model: J.M. Frey

Frey chose an Edwardian-ish/Victorian-ish look (there is a full pillow bustle and all the underpinnings) because the Doctor often looks like a bit of an Edwardian Dandy, and she figured the costume would go well with any Doctors she met at conventions.

With Rob Emry as Jackson Lake

Choosing the colour for the wig was, actually, the most difficult part. In the end Frey chose this shade of copper because it is similar to the interior of the TARDIS.

Frey styled the wig, and made all the accessories herself, save the hat. For this event Frey borrowed the light on her hat from The Doctor Who Society of Canada’s room party decor for the night! She is also wearing yellow contact lenses, to evoke the Heart of the TARDIS. The throat-broach has a standard key, like the one that the Doctor gave Martha and Jack Harkness, and the belt is hung with small pieces of electronics. There’s a circuit board, knobs and handles, gears, a clock that Frey dismantled and aged to make it look as if it was falling apart in slow motion as it dangled from her chains, and of course, a sonic screwdriver. The belt is meant to resemble the control console.

The blue is a gorgeous silk that has a dark pattern that resembles wood grain, and the underskirt is of an incredible brass/teal fabric that shines both colours as Frey walks, which evokes the teal lighting of the new TARDIS interior. Kenneth also made the steel-boned corset and trimmed it with the brass fabric.

There is Gallifreyan writing on the skirt, and the standard “Free For Use” signage has been added to the bolero. Both are hand-embroidered.

It’s not entirely finished – there are lights that are going into the grommets on the brass underskirt, which Shelley hasen’t found an opportunity to add yet, and eventually Frey would like to track down one of the more Gallifreyian TARDIS key toys and remake it as a brass key for the throat-broach.

Eventually, Frey is hoping to do a proper photoshoot with the costume.

And now, more photos!