FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Finalist
Memory of The Little Prince
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
The Little Prince by Antoine De-Saint Exupery is the well loved tale of a boy from an asteroid, from the perspective of a stranded pilot in the Sahara Desert. Our hero's many encounters are recalled by the pilot, from their meeting, the stories he told, until their eventual parting of ways.
It is in the pilots memory where I wanted to base my design. Taking artistic license to fuse elements of the Sahara and his own child like illustrations used to support his remembrance of The Little Prince.
My version of The Little Prince is nomadic. He could almost have passed for a local boy if we did not know he came from Asteroid B-612. Swathed in his oversized yellow scarf, rolled up his oversized sleeves and turned up trousers. Belted as best as he could with a red rope from a story the pilot could not quite recall. A red tassel close to his heart, the constant reminder of her. His rose.
His silhouette is simple, like the pilots drawing. And the palest green. Washed from the brush strokes of the pilots watercolours as he attempts to illustrate his memory… of The Little Prince.
Outline the construction…
This marks the first garments and complete outfit I have ever made which I did the following in order to achieve:
Developed a pattern for the top with wide neckline.
Developed a pattern for the trousers, including pockets and button flies.
French seamed entire construction of the top and trousers.
Understitched neckline.
Set in sleeves.
Hand sewn buttons.
Hand sewn button holes.
Sponge painted with green dye.
I chose to use muslin and calico for the fabric - The sewists paper. As I wanted to stay close the experience of drawing The Little Prince as per the Pilot in the story. I enjoyed experimenting with dyes, it gave the experience I was aiming for as if I was the pilot. However once dried it came to me… this idea didn't translate to the costume itself, only my experience of it. In hindsight I could have chose differently.
The pattern for the trousers was incredibly challenging to get the fit right with 6 failed toiles made generously out of my grans spare curtains going to waste.
Similarly I was intimidated by setting in a sleeve. I developed a pattern with the shoulder-line extended and the scye squared off. With my naive belief that all I had to do was throw on a rectangle and a gusset. But this never worked and I was destined to tackle the set in sleeve anyway. Which I managed in the end. Several curtains later.
If at first you don’t succeed… Toile, toile again.
I love this. And all the toiles were worth it because the pants look great. Anything Little Prince has my heart, but I especially like how you made it adult and real. Great job.
Thanks! The pants were a real challenge… button flys… who knew they were so hard.
This is stunning, I didn’t even need to see the title to know the character. One of my favourite tales. Well done.
Ahh that is such a good compliment! Thank you so much. He’s a little hero of mine also.
One look and I knew who it was. Loving both the realisation of the outfit and the cinematography of the presentation. Best of luck x
Thanks! Compliments to my mum who helped push the button for the photos… I couldn’t do the pics on my own 😀
WoW it looks so good. And you dyed it yourself? that is incredible. Loved the video also. Good luck to you.
Yes! The dying was nerve racking… I had to dye it twice after I stupidly put it in the wash thinking it would ‘set’ the dye. No no… it came out white again ha ha… Not making that mistake again.
Yes! I love this!
Merci Melanie!!!
Wow, this is your first self-made garament? Well done! It fits really well and I love the way you interpreted the story of Le Petit Prince.
Thanks… yes it’s my debut! I’ve caught the bug now… I’m on the sewing wagon.
I love this outfit, it looks superb. But I also came to say that these photos in general, are just /so/ satisfying to look at. That colour grading with this outfit and the backdrop, with the pop of red, just perfect. Good job, your sewing looks pretty impeccable too.
Thank you! Yes the production after the finishing of the garment was a real struggle. What with strict lockdowns and my apartment looking absolutely nothing like the Sahara Desert.. ha ha.
Really appreciate the comment.
The whole silhouette is super cool and the sleeves are just a joy to look at. Nice work ^-^
Thanks! The sleeve was a real test (like all sleeves are as I am finding out)!
This is so cool!! I love the whole look, and the feel is very whole! Love it! =)
Thank you so much! It was really important to me that whatever I managed to do, It felt complete. So glad you like it!
Wow! The deep dive into patterning and dyeing, together with the sophisticated designer’s thought process… just wow! And the finished image is superb. Beautiful work!
Thanks Valerie! You have no idea what colour the costime was about to be at one point until I made a mistake (that in reflection i’m really glad happened).
J’aime beaucoup Le Petit Prince. <3 This is a really wonderful execution of a fantastic interpretation. I really love the idea that the Prince would blend in and look like one of the locals. Stunning work, you should be proud.
Merci Beaucoup!!! I loved trying to twist elements in from Northern Africa. I think for such a sliver of a book there is just soo much to play with! I’d loved a revisit actually in two years to see my progress.
I love this. The colours are amazing!
Thank you! I gifted the scarf to my mum as she also couldn’t stop commenting on the yellow ha ha.
My heart goes out for anyone who loves the little prince! Bravo in going through all those toiles.
I should be thankful that my gran had an absurd amount of curtains for me to destroy 😀
Its great seeing a man enter the competition. You did a wonderful job. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Audra! I was intially intimidated from the outside knowing it was a really strong community of mostly women. But i’ve been nothing but welcomed. Floored by this little corner of the internets generosity.
This is so nice. Love the presentation. The toiles did amazing work.
Thanks! I had to wait till 3pm on photo day (golden hour). Works everytime.
This made me smile so hard! It’s beautifully done!
Thanks Lou! It was a very determined labor of love.
This makes me happy to look at and it all looks so cozy!
Ha ha ha thanks! Maybe too cosy… my neck was roasting!
Well done! That’s a lot of work for a first garment/outfit!
I’m praying future ventures get easier! Thank you Elowen!
I find it so interesting that what we think is so simple becomes the bane of our existence! I love how well this turned out. You should be very proud of this outfit! I love it! Thank you!
Nothing easy is ever simple – Plucky Duck, Tiny Toons
Wow, I love your outfit ! As said earlier, we immediatelly recognise Le petit Prince even without reading the title, great interpretation !
Thats such an amazing comment for me thank you. To be recognised as the character despite some subtle tweaks means I did my job, Thank you.
I love this! I didn´t even have to read the title, I knew who you meant.
Great job! It sounds like this was quite the learning experience and your design turned out great!
Wonderful character design and I love your quote about “if at first you don’t succeed, toile again” – brilliant 😀
I’ve just seen the finalist announcement and realised I hadn’t looked at every entry (so many pages to look through) and had missed yours.
I saw your photo and recognised the character immediately! I love your take on it! It gives it a more real feel, while being very faithful to this iconic book and its famous illustrations.
It also sounds like you put a massive work into it and the result is worth it!
I also love your video: great editing skills.
Constance, aka “The Little Prince(ss)” entry in the intermediate category