FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY

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Finalist

Memory of The Little Prince

stitch-1

SUBMITTED BY:

Steven Saltwell

(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.

COMMENTS

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44 Comments

  1. Avatar Jocelyn Lofstrom on March 12, 2021 at 1:20 am

    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.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 13, 2021 at 2:39 pm

      Thanks! The pants were a real challenge… button flys… who knew they were so hard.

  2. Avatar Equinoxx Latex on March 12, 2021 at 9:10 am

    This is stunning, I didn’t even need to see the title to know the character. One of my favourite tales. Well done.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 13, 2021 at 2:40 pm

      Ahh that is such a good compliment! Thank you so much. He’s a little hero of mine also.

  3. Avatar Laura Boyles on March 12, 2021 at 1:12 pm

    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

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 13, 2021 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks! Compliments to my mum who helped push the button for the photos… I couldn’t do the pics on my own 😀

  4. Avatar Divya RV on March 12, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    WoW it looks so good. And you dyed it yourself? that is incredible. Loved the video also. Good luck to you.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 13, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      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.

  5. Avatar Melanie on March 12, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    Yes! I love this!

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 13, 2021 at 2:43 pm

      Merci Melanie!!!

  6. Avatar Carolien van Alphen on March 12, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    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.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 13, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      Thanks… yes it’s my debut! I’ve caught the bug now… I’m on the sewing wagon.

  7. Avatar Caitlin Shaw on March 13, 2021 at 10:44 am

    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.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 13, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      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.

  8. Avatar Camille on March 14, 2021 at 11:25 am

    The whole silhouette is super cool and the sleeves are just a joy to look at. Nice work ^-^

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      Thanks! The sleeve was a real test (like all sleeves are as I am finding out)!

  9. Avatar Viktoria Cudkova on March 14, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    This is so cool!! I love the whole look, and the feel is very whole! Love it! =)

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:50 pm

      Thank you so much! It was really important to me that whatever I managed to do, It felt complete. So glad you like it!

  10. Avatar Valerie on March 16, 2021 at 3:12 am

    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!

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      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).

  11. Avatar Renee on March 16, 2021 at 4:14 am

    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.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      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.

  12. Avatar Heike on March 16, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    I love this. The colours are amazing!

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:53 pm

      Thank you! I gifted the scarf to my mum as she also couldn’t stop commenting on the yellow ha ha.

  13. Avatar BurstAngel 75 on March 16, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    My heart goes out for anyone who loves the little prince! Bravo in going through all those toiles.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:54 pm

      I should be thankful that my gran had an absurd amount of curtains for me to destroy 😀

  14. Avatar Audra C Borders on March 17, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    Its great seeing a man enter the competition. You did a wonderful job. Keep up the good work.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      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.

  15. Avatar Xenofon on March 18, 2021 at 11:24 am

    This is so nice. Love the presentation. The toiles did amazing work.

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      Thanks! I had to wait till 3pm on photo day (golden hour). Works everytime.

  16. Avatar Lou on March 19, 2021 at 4:21 am

    This made me smile so hard! It’s beautifully done!

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      Thanks Lou! It was a very determined labor of love.

  17. Avatar Alora Fox on March 19, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    This makes me happy to look at and it all looks so cozy!

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      Ha ha ha thanks! Maybe too cosy… my neck was roasting!

  18. Avatar Elowen Blackthorn on March 21, 2021 at 12:03 pm

    Well done! That’s a lot of work for a first garment/outfit!

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      I’m praying future ventures get easier! Thank you Elowen!

  19. Avatar AnnaCatherine Sendgikoski on March 22, 2021 at 4:46 am

    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!

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:58 pm

      Nothing easy is ever simple – Plucky Duck, Tiny Toons

  20. Avatar Emeline Barrès on March 24, 2021 at 8:15 am

    Wow, I love your outfit ! As said earlier, we immediatelly recognise Le petit Prince even without reading the title, great interpretation !

    • Avatar Steven Saltwell on March 24, 2021 at 12:59 pm

      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.

  21. Avatar Benigna on March 25, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    I love this! I didn´t even have to read the title, I knew who you meant.

  22. Avatar Maeri Certo on March 29, 2021 at 2:15 am

    Great job! It sounds like this was quite the learning experience and your design turned out great!

  23. Avatar Lowana O'Shea on March 29, 2021 at 11:27 am

    Wonderful character design and I love your quote about “if at first you don’t succeed, toile again” – brilliant 😀

  24. Avatar Constance on April 3, 2021 at 11:28 pm

    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

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