Pussy Riot a Russian feminist punk-rock collective consisting of 12 members, three of whom were arrested in March 2012 following a protest performance (and video release of the performance) on the sanctuary of Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Two members (who are both mothers of young children) have just been convicted of hooliganism and sentenced to two years in the Russian prison camps that were the Soviet-era Gulag.
So, Pussy Riot, the most kick-ass feminist statement costume of the year. Not that I had to tell you, dear readers.
There was a big costume party at the conference I attended over the weekend and we looked awesome. The costume idea was the brain child of Nadine Silverthorne. The other members of Pussy Riot were played by Rebecca Brown, Karen Green, Emma Waverman, Emma Willer and myself. Emma Willer’s recap sums up our experience perfectly: How to have a feminist Halloween.
And now a craft.
How to make your own Pussy Riot balaclava. (This is not the only way.)
I got these in the girls section at Walmart for a dollar apiece. They are thin, and tightly knit and double layered.
Turn each hat inside out and inspect the seam. Carefully cut the inside layer of fabric around all the seams so the hat becomes one longer single layer.
It will look all ziggy-zaggy at the bottom, like this. It’s fine.
Put on the hat. (Yes, that’s really me. Don’t be scared.) Use chalk to mark where your eyes and mouth are.
Cut small eye and mouth holes. Remember, you can always make them larger, but you can’t make them smaller. Try the balaclava on a few times and make small adjustments to the size and shape of your holes.
Pair with a brightly coloured dress, contrasting tights and punk rock boots.
Go forth and spread the word.
