Santa Costume by Chicago Fashion Designer Alesia C. Inspired by "Christmas Chronicles" Movie
The Magic of Creating Santa’s Coat — A Christmas Tale from Alesia C. Boutique-Atelier
There’s something truly magical about Christmas — a season of wonder, nostalgia, and believing in miracles. For artist and fashion designer Alesia Chaika, that magic came to life in the most heartwarming way — through the creation of two breathtaking Santa Claus costumes handcrafted for a beloved client in 2020.
With her lifelong passion for film and theater costume design, Alesia and her team of master tailors at the Alesia C. Boutique-Atelier in Lake Forest, Illinois, embarked on an enchanting journey to design garments worthy of the world’s most iconic gentleman — Santa himself.
Our inspiration. Kurt Russel in role of Santa Claus in "Christmas Chronicles" movie
The Inspiration — “The Christmas Chronicles”
One of the Santa costumes was inspired by Alesia’s favorite holiday film, The Christmas Chronicles. This look captured the adventurous, cinematic spirit of Santa — sophisticated, noble, and full of sparkle.
The coat was masterfully crafted from the softest red leather, trimmed with beige fox fur, and lined with exquisite details: a cotton-poplin shirt with puffy sleeves, a red wool vest adorned with gold-plated buttons and embroidery, red wool pants, and a royal velvet hat to crown the look. Every detail — from the belt buckle to the texture of the fur — was a tribute to the magic of craftsmanship and imagination.
Our inspiration. Kurt Russel in role of Santa Claus in "Christmas Chronicles" movie
But creating such a masterpiece was no simple task. Leather and fur require immense precision and expertise. It took over a month to source the perfect materials — from testing samples of leather and fabrics to finding the ideal shade of fox fur, confirmed personally by our Santa himself.
Once all sketches were approved, our atelier moved into full couture mode — drafting mock-ups, patterns, and fittings until every inch was perfect. Each fitting session with our Santa client was pure joy — full of laughter, adjustments, and holiday cheer.
Fashion designer Alesia Chaika working on Santa Claus costume at her atelier
The red lamb leather for Santa Claus costume is ready to cut at Alesia C. atelier
Sewing the red genuine leather Santa Claus coat at Alesia C. atelier
The artist & fashion designer Alesia with Santa client wearing ready costume.
The artist & fashion designer Alesia Chaika with Santa client wearing custom designed costume by Alesia Chaika.
Santa client wearing ready costume designed and crafted at Alesia C. atelier in Lake Forest, IL USA.
This project continued with costume drawings, fashion sketches, and detailed measurements of our Santa client. After all, sketches were confirmed, we created mock-ups and patterns from cotton fabric first.
Santa client wearing ready costume designed and crafted at Alesia C. atelier
At the next step, we had few mock-up fittings with a client to make sure it fits properly before we cut the actual coat and costume pieces from actual leather and fabrics.
Fashion designer Alesia C. team with their Santa Claus client in custom costume inspired by "Christmas Chronicles" movie.
Having fittings with our Santa client was very big fun for all of us every time! Trying on, adjusting the patterns, adding details and trims!
Fashion designer Alesia C. team with their Santa Claus client in custom costume inspired by "Christmas Chronicles" movie.
Custom Santa Clause costume inspired by Christmas Chronicles 2 movie. Fashion designer Alesia Chaika. Lake Forest, IL USA atelier. AlesiaC.com
Custom Santa Clause costume inspired by Christmas Chronicles 2 movie. Fashion designer Alesia Chaika.. AlesiaC.com Photo Peter Koutun Photography
Another costume was created as a traditional Santa costume. The coat was crafted of red royal velvet in an A-line silhouette, trimmed with snow-white fox fur, gold metallic embroidery, and snowflake jingle bells over sleeves and Santa belt! To match the traditional Santa coat we created a matching red velvet hat trimmed with a white fur pom pom! The snow-white fox fur was purchased in Greece and royal velvet, wool, and trims were purchased in the USA.
Crafting the traditional Santa Claus costume at Alesia Chaika atelier located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois USA. Photo: Jacub Wasowski
Crafting the traditional Santa Claus costume with gold jingle bells, white fur, red velvet at Alesia Chaika atelier located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois USA
Photo: Jacub Wasowski
Alesia C. atelier master tailor working on custom Santa Claus costume in Buffalo Grove, IL USA. Photo: Jacub Wasowski
Alesia C. atelier master tailor working on custom Santa Claus costume in Buffalo Grove, IL USA. Photo: Jacub Wasowski
At the Santa costume fitting of Alesia C. atelier with master tailors team at designer's atelier in Lake Forest, IL USA.
The Traditional Santa — A Classic Reimagined
The second Santa costume paid homage to the traditional Santa Claus silhouette — regal and timeless. Crafted from red royal velvet in a graceful A-line cut, the coat was trimmed with snow-white fox fur, adorned with gold metallic embroidery, and accented with tiny snowflake jingle bells dancing along the sleeves and belt.
To complete the ensemble, our team designed a matching red velvet hat topped with a white fox-fur pom-pom — an elegant, joyful finishing touch.
The fox fur was sourced from Greece, while the velvet, wool, and trims were proudly selected from U.S. suppliers — a perfect fusion of global artistry and local craftsmanship.
Chicago fashion designer Alesia Chaika with her client Santa in custom costume designed and crafted at Alesia's atelier in Buffalo Grove, IL USA. Photo: Peter Koutun Photography
The Spirit of Christmas in Every Stitch
For four magical months, the atelier buzzed with energy, laughter, and creativity. Every pattern drawn, every button sewn, every fur trim aligned was done with love, patience, and an unshakable belief that this wasn’t just a costume — it was wearable art for the real Santa.
The process rekindled what we all cherish most about the holidays: the joy of creation, the warmth of teamwork, and the unbreakable belief in something magical.
When the final stitches were sewn and the costumes revealed — we all smiled, knowing deep inside… Santa is coming!
A heartfelt thank-you to our incredible team of master tailors, to photographer Peter Koutun and cinematographer Jacub Wasowski for capturing the creative journey, and to our dearest client — the sweetest Santa on Earth — for bringing joy to everyone who believes.
Traditional red velvet with white fox fur Santa Clause costume by Chicago fashion designer and artist Alesia Chaika at her atelier in Buffalo Grove, Il USA. Photo: Peter Koutun Photography
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Alesia C. Fashion House & Boutique!
Let Us Create the Magic for You
If you’re dreaming of a custom costume for your next film, theater production, or special event, we would love to bring your vision to life. Each project is treated as a piece of art — designed with imagination, handcrafted with mastery, and infused with heart.
Fashion designer Alesia Chaika with her client, wearing traditional custom Santa costume designed by Alesia and crafted by team of master tailors at Alesia's atelier located in Lake Forest, Illinois. AlesiaC.com
Reach out to us at Alesia C. Boutique-Atelier — where creativity meets craftsmanship and every design tells a story.
Custom Santa Clause costume designed in USA by Chicago fashion designer Alesia Chaika. Photo: Peter Koutun Photography.
With love,
Alesia Chaika
Follow the designer's journey on Instagram @AlesiaChaika and discover her world of wearable art at AlesiaC.com
