As the eldest Dessendre, Clea feels responsible for saving her family. She can be cold and manipulative, and some of her choices hurt the people she wants to protect. But she believes she is doing what she has to do for them. That tension is what makes her so compelling to me.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, 2026
Clea Dessendre.
Clever and manipulative, Clea will do whatever it takes to save her family, even if her choices hurt them.
The character
The costume
I chose lightweight natural fabrics for this costume.
For the skirt, I chose linen and lined it with cotton poplin so it would keep its shape and stay opaque. I hand-embroidered the gold details. I used flat leather for the trim at the hem because I like the way it catches the light.
I adapted a pattern by a French pattern maker for Clea's shirt. To create the stripes, I stitched each line onto the fabric with embroidery thread. The slight irregularity gives the fabric a more natural look.
I made the headband from the same fabric as the skirt to tie the colours together.
