We created these Purple Cow character costumes for MEIJER Markets, to advertise the ice cream stores within their markets. We first created a scale model of the costume, over a small articulated artist's model to insure that the costume would fit human proportions. Once the model was approved, we created an accurate pattern from the clay model then enlarged the pattern and cut and assembled all the parts in soft foam. The head form was sculpted and vacuum formed in strong, lightweight ABS plastic, with a construction helmet mounted inside to sit comfortably on the suit performer's head. We covered the whole costume in two tones of a soft fleecy purple fur fabric to give it an appealing skin. For a final touch, to dramatize how tasty their ice cream is, we added a humorous licking tongue mechanism.