Image byHalli-Well
Do you remember running around the house in your blue dungarees and red hat head-butting cardboard boxes trying to imitate Mario? No you don’t, because it didn’t happen. Mario is great but he’s no style icon, unlike some characters from modern games.
Bayonetta – Bayonetta
The design of this titular character took a full year. Every aspect of her appearance was carefully considered. From the shape of her bottom (which was made wider based on observations of non-Japanese models) to her glasses, which were intended to differentiate her from other female characters and give her a “sense of mystery and intelligence.” If you find the right Japanese website you can actually buy replica Bayonetta glasses.
Her costume is made from her own hair… Not even Lady Gaga has tried that- yet!
In 2010 several human models dressed up as Bayonetta for Playboy and readers were asked to vote for the sexiest. None of the models even came close to the real thing – and when I say ‘the real thing’ I of course mean ‘the virtual thing’.
Nathan Drake – Uncharted
Nathan Drake is arguably one of the most likeable and believable gaming characters of all time and that is no accident.
Drake’s appearance and charisma were based on those of Jackass maverick Johnny Knoxville. One can only assume they pulled that name out of a hat.
The “as human as possible” theme is reflected in Drake’s dress-code which is unmistakably ‘casual’. Series writer Amy Hennig said, “…when people saw him and said; ‘Why do I want to play a guy in t-shirt and jeans?’ that was a deliberate move on our part, to say, ‘look, he’s just a guy. He’s just like you and me’” – and he is… just a million times cooler.
Lara Croft – Tomb Raider
Olympic Gold Medallist Victoria Pendleton has just been named the sexiest woman in sport by FHM. Her Facebook page has a staggering 80,756 likes. Lara Croft’s Facebook page? 118,361 likes.
Lara is loved by all; and her classic costume is iconic. It is the gaming equivalent of Marilyn Monroe’s white halter-neck dress.
Lightning – Final Fantasy
Lightning’s costume is definitely designed for functionality. No point having two shoulder guards, she only values her left shoulder. The pouch thing strapped to her leg is dead handy for putting things like pencils and biscuits in. Oh and no functional outfit would be complete without a cape.
Playing the game you’d be forgiven for thinking that a model has accidentally stumbled into an RPG. You actually wouldn’t be too far from the truth…
In 2012 Lightning, along with other members of the Final Fantasy cast, modelled for Prada in a 12 page magazine spread. No, seriously!
With our beloved videogame characters wearing clothes by Prada, glasses that Gok Wan would kill for and some fantastically impractical outfits; it is obvious that their non-existence is trivial and videogame characters can be style icons. In fact many believe that “virtual people” will eventually replace human models in the world of fashion.
Who would you have on your list of best-dressed video game characters?
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Alan Allward will, until such time as a cure is found, remain a child trapped in a man’s body. He prefers Fifa to Pro Evo, and Call of Duty to Halo. He writes for Valley Optics.