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Recycled aluminum fantasy armor

Warrior Woman
Guardian
Warrior Woman

Warrior Woman

Photo: Rob Emery 2009

These are some outfits I made with the most metallic fabric of all - metal. They're made entirely from recycled aluminum cans. There is no thread, tape, buckles, velcro, glue, etc. Just 100% aluminum. The can metal is cut into strips and weaved through the pop tabs to make a kind of chain mail. The circles/domes in the Warrior Woman version are the bottoms of the cans. Folded can metal and interlocking lid tabs allow for closure & tightening of the garments. 

100% recycled and 100% recyclable.

Made in Canada


Pattern or design used: My Own Design - Rob Emery
thefett thefett, member
Posted on Dec 27th, 2009 in design, garment construction, fabric, reader's closet, weave, chain mail, pop, chainmail, tab, beer, soda, metal, aluminum

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Comments (7)

thefett thefett writes: Wow!!! That link rocks! I'll need a new keyboard if I keep drooling over it. Thanks!!
Posted: 10:33 pm on January 12th

Clarasita Clarasita writes: Dear thefett, Have I got a website for you:
http://www.mutr.co.uk/index.php?cPath=418_590
You won't believe the $%it I found here. It's right up your alley, and they sell the photochromic and thermochromic stuff I'm looking for in small amounts. Check out the "smart materials" page and you'll see links to all kinds of electronic and magnetic stuff as well as liquid metals, soft-temp moldable plastics; they even have photochromic and conductive thread!
Posted: 2:58 pm on January 11th

thefett thefett writes: Ceramit looks like an epoxy then. I use those and other plastics in various forms sometimes too - mostly for sculptures. I tend to prefer the two part ones, as even though they're one shot deals, you don't need an oven and they set very fast with low odour. That's crazy about the mapp gas and O2 - we need better insurance companies!! Would love to see Mardi Gras someday. Sadly, these models aren't regulars yet... but maybe someday I'll have a travelling posse to help pull it off. Thanks for the location tip - always good to know.
Posted: 7:06 pm on January 5th

Clarasita Clarasita writes: Loved your costumes. As soon as I saw your sign-in name, I figured you were one of Bubba's kin. The correct spelling of those enamels is Ceramit (I pulled out my stash to look). Haven't worked in the metal clays yet: too pricey. And I discovered my homeowners insurance doesn't consider using propane and O2 or mapp gas and O2 torches "normal use" of a dining room. I tried to assure them that I cover the table with cement board and keep 2 fire extinguishers handy, but they won't cover any damages incurred by a torch. And since Katrina, they're looking for any excuse to drop policy holders. You and your models should come down for Mardi Gras. You've got enough to have your own unofficial "Walking Krewe" and would most assuredly garner international coverage. If you do, make yourself conspicuous at Lee Circle and in the French Quarter (the latter a bigger challenge). That's where most of the international filming is done.
Posted: 3:14 pm on January 5th

thefett thefett writes: Thanks for the comments! Yeah, thermochromic paint would be fun. I've used memory metal wire (changes shape with heat/electricity) but never tried electricity for changing colours! You could make a suit of camouflage that changes to match your environment that way, although if someone has infrared goggles, you're in trouble.

Yeah, duct tape is great for outfits. I haven't used a weave there - but it's a great idea for better breatheability. Check out my Duct Tape Heroes series: http://rob.emery.net/costumes/costumes.htm Looking forward to seeing the dress.

I couldn't find "Ceranit" - sounds like fun though. Someday I will try out those Art Clay metal pastes though (mold something like clay, then fire it into pure metal jewelry).


Posted: 12:35 pm on January 5th

Clarasita Clarasita writes: Dear thefett, Please see my comments on the metallic coctail dress re thermochromic dyes/paints and conductive materials. I can see you really getting into that technology.
Posted: 9:16 pm on January 4th

Clarasita Clarasita writes: I can't believe nobody has commented on the wonderfully creative and sexy suit of armor. How ingenious!!! I may bastardize this technique to use with a woven duct tape dress I've been planning. I was going to use metal washers in a similar fashion, but their weight is prohibitive, and using aluminum cans is so much more Green (my actual last name). FYI: Ceranit (I think I spelled it correctly) makes a ceramic enamel that fires in a household oven at 200 degrees. It comes in opaque and translucent colors and is made by the same company that makes porcelain veneers for teeth. I love using it on hardware for a SteamPunk look.
Posted: 9:06 pm on January 4th

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