Keats Fae Dress

For my submission I was inspired by the poem, La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats. This poem has been a long favorite of mine, and I enjoy how Keats situated this poem in the past and uses a bewitched Knight to tell the story of a fae woman, while describing her many dualities. The fairy is beautiful and dangerous, unearthly and of the earth, she is seemingly loving and yet merciless. Despite many warnings throughout the poem, the knight falls perilously under her spell. This poem is a romantic illustration of a fairy, who uses her innocent and lovely appearance to bring a man to his death. The poem inspired me to create a dress for the Fae woman. I wanted to exhibit many of the dualities of the fairy. I used the silhouette of a kirtle to recall the medieval times, an era long past, but included princess seams to add a touch of romanticism. I also dyed my fabric and chose lively but earthly colors and details to create an ethereal and enchanting effect, with just a hint of toxicity.