FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
The Book Thief Dress
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Valentin Chaix photographer
Outline the story …
The book "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak tells the story of Liesel, a German girl during the Second World War who escapes to an imaginary world through the books she reads. I identified with the character because I loved reading when I was little as it helped me find answers to my questions and get away from a world that I didn’t understand. Books give Liesel’s life structure and meaning. The corset is also the base and structure of the clothing, providing its shape and look. That is why a corset of book seemed like the perfect combination.
There is also the tutu, which represents both childhood and smoke. It is interwoven with burnt books that symbolise Liesel’s life going up in flames when her street is bombed. These pages include images images of symbols from her life: an accordion, deportation trains, bombings and a swastika. What’s funny is that I only came across these images when it came to tearing up the books; it wasn’t planned at all! At one point in the story, she steals a book from an auto-da-fé of books and burns herself in the process. That is why I included a fiery heart in the middle of the corset because words are her beating heart and what keeps the fire in her burning. Another symbol that I couldn’t show in a photo because of the curfew was the cape held by Death’s hand. In the book, Death narrates the story and watches over Liesel like a godfather.
Outline the construction…
As for the making of the corset, I minimised the tight lacing when making my pattern because I wanted to close it with a zipper (more practical). I also used spiral boning. The longest part was gluing all the book covers while maintaining the curves. The smell of the finished product speaks for itself. The lace and paper heart were finished with watercolour paint. I made the tutu with help from the tutorial on your website. I really like the pancake shape and the fact that you can see the various layers and lengths. To get this effect, I made it like a double tutu. Next, I burnt the pages and spread them unevenly throughout the various layers of the tulle to really make it look like smoke billowing. I made Death’s hand using Fimo clay. It is attached to the cape using snap fasteners and held on the shoulder by a knot.
My biggest issue was procrastination, as I had everything I needed in December but I only started a fortnight ago. If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them via Instagram or email. I use to do things straight away, thinking during the process and not really preparing anything. So sometimes it is difficult to explain what I have done in detail with no precise question.
Thank you for reading me, I hope that my submission will please you. I wish you good luck for choosing among all the submissions.
This is such a brilliant concept!
Thank you a lot, I took my inspiration from a French creator Sylvie Facon =)
I love your interpretation of this book! I remember crying several times when I read it, such a powerful piece. As is your creation. I can’t believe you’ve managed to create this in such a short period of time.
Such a good idea! Love all the different colors of the books and the skirt’s detail are stunning♡
I love the shape of the corset and the black tutu. It is so creative to use the book covers on the corset – You did a great job!
So pretty, I really like this!
Fantastic work, what a great interpretation!
Gorgeous job on this! I love all the symbolism you including in the project!
That´s so creative! I´m amazed!
I love, love, love the concept behind the outfit! The way you interpreted the character and the story and then integrated it into the dress is just incredible! So well done!
This is gorgeous!! I love how you created the the corset to look like book spines, as well as the pages along the skirt. Very creative design!
Beautiful and very well done!!
I loved this book and really like your inspired interpretation – so good. Slightly sad that books had to be sacrificed in the making but then that is exactly what happens in the story so it actually makes it more powerful to a booklover like me. Beautiful and precious.