What happens when you combine a childhood passion for LEGO, the videogame Halo and the ability to build elaborate costumes? You get the first ever LEGO Master Chief body armor suit. The suit -- based on the attire worn by the protagonist of the Halo series -- was created by fan Benny Caulkin who began to examine the possibility of a full-blown suit following the success of his first LEGO creation: a Master Chief helmet. "At first it was just a fantasy, which is reasonable enough," he said. "I mean, come on, a full-blown LEGO Master Chief costume? It is pretty ridiculous. But when I started to take it seriously, I finally realized it was possible, and I committed myself to it."
Completing the suit was an arduous task, says Benny Caulkin and he is relieved to be finished. "I was getting pretty tired of it, and I’m not sure how much longer I could have gone on," he said. "But I am glad I did, because now I can say that I’m the only person to (successfully) build a Master Chief costume out of LEGO."
Check out our gallery to view highlights from Caulkin’s creation or check out his Flickr to witness the entire complicated process.
Photo credits: DVice
Lethal LEGO Body Armor
Lego Enthusiast Benny Culkin Creates Halo-Inspired Body Armor
Trend Themes
1. Lego-inspired Body Armor - There is a growing trend of people creating all kinds of wearable armor using LEGO pieces to make a statement or as cosplay costumes.
2. Fan-made Costumes From Pop Culture - Fans of movies, TV shows, and video games are increasingly creating their own costumes inspired by their favorite characters using LEGO pieces and other materials.
3. DIY LEGO Creations - The trend of creating all kinds of things using LEGO pieces has been expanding to include wearable items like body armor, proving the versatility of the bricks for more than just building blocks.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Opportunities abound for toy manufacturers to expand the functionality of their products, like LEGO, to extend beyond children's playthings and into the cosplay and costume space for adults.
2. Cosplay - The trend of creating wearable costumes is on the rise, offering new avenues for cosplay enthusiasts and innovative designers to explore using non-traditional materials such as LEGO.
3. Entertainment - As fans continue to express their loyalty and creativity through cosplay, entertainment companies have the opportunity to create more unique merchandise or licensing agreements for fans to acquire their favorite character-related gear, such as LEGO-inspired body armor.