FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Odile
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photos by Tigz Rice, remotely; video music: Fuga y Misterio by Astor Piazzolla and played by Ocelli- this song was listed as "The Birth of a Swan" in some places online
Outline the story …
When we still had 3 possible themes, I knew that if this was chosen, I wanted to do a Black Swan design, and that I wanted to use the pewter vinyl from my stash for whatever corset I made this year. I love dance and story telling through music/movement, so I have wanted to design Odile for a while, but she is also a figure from folktales and modern fairytale "Black Swan" by Mercedes Lackey. There is a full description of the book character's ball outfit with my video on YouTube. I wanted to change it up and went for a tango-1950s inspiration, with a kicky skirt and a vinyl and coutil corset, with about 110 lace feathers individually sewn to tulle for an overlay. Borrowing from the book description, I added in pearls and rhinestones like Odile's ball gown was "encrusted" with. The metallic threads in my skirt fabric seemed like magic woven into fabric, and the pewter vinyl gives a nice bit of contrast against all the black. Instead of a mask like Odile has in the book, I made a 1950s style cocktail hat that arches over the head similar to how many Swan Lake headpieces are done for ballet.
Outline the construction…
I started my project with sketches, then made the hat out of feather trims rescued from worn out vintage hats donated to me. In the video, you can see my hat, skirt, and corset processes. The hat is a wire frame, wrapped in grosgrain and covered in windowpane sinamay. Feathers are hand sewn, trimmed with a velvet rosette on one side and velvet ribbon and beetle wings on the other. The skirt was interlined with silk organza, and the hems are bound with metallic blue bias tape. The corset was the hardest part of the project for me. The pattern is the Petal corset from Corsets by Caroline, and I am just slightly above the size range. Trying to make my mockup pieces fit the stand gave me trouble and in the end, though the corset is done, I know of multiple things I'd change next time, including not using vinyl! This is only my 4th corset so I was a bit ambitious and certainly underestimated the time and energy I'd need to make it happen. However, I am especially happy with the 110 pieces of hand cut lace feathers.
Great job and taking on a corset. They can be a handful. I love the feathers too.
thank you! this is my third completed corset (I have a corset vest for a guy friend that has been delayed due to covid). It was a bit of a beast but I’m glad I tackled it!
This outfit is the bomb! That skirt! Those feathers! Stunning work.
Thank you!
That headpiece! Those hand-cut feathers on the corset! Your outfit is bang-on for the inspiration! Great job!
Thank you! I am pretty in love with my little hat… I might have to just start wearing her around the house!
So cool!
Thanks!
It is a really good job. I love it. Je suis impressionnée!!!
Merci!
It’s beautiful! I love it !
Thanks, Kitty! Maybe some day I’ll get to your level! 🙂
Exquisite work, Maeri! It’s beautiful in every way, and beautiful on you!
I can’t imagine how long those feathers must have taken but the result is so beautiful! You look stunning and I absolutely love the Tango/50’s design!
I also love the 1950s/ tango design with the adorable hat. It’s sultry and elegant at the same time. Your attention to detail down to those iridescent beetle wings is stunning. I’m amazed by the feathers. It’s an absolutely beautiful showcase!
Such a beautiful design and the details are intriguing. Congratulations on the beautiful costume
the featherwork on your hat is divine! as an aside, i love that you get two cat-calls from the strings section in that tango accompaniment to your film!
Did I create cat-calls in my video? Shame on me! I actually inserted parts of that song out of order.
So beautiful, I love all the layered feathers.
Thank you!
I think I’m in love! From sketch to reality you make this ensemble tell a tale. Bravo mon ami!
Thank you!
This is amazing – I love the whole ensemble, it’s so fresh and elegant. The book by Mercedes Lackey is a favorite of mine, and I could totally see Odile wearing this in the ball scene were the book transported to the 1950s.
Thank you!– I’m still quite tempted to do some kind of ballgown overskirt at least, to really kick into that mood. I reigned myself in but I do love dresses! 😀
All I can say is WOW! What an inspiration you are! Thank you!
Oh, you’re so sweet! Thank you!
Beautiful detail!
Love the shape of this corset, and the point in the back. It’s those little design elements that make it so memorable.
Caroline is a fantastic designer– I can’t take credit for the lines of the corset, only the materials used. 🙂