FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
The Dark Fairy
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Model: Katherine Stefl https://www.instagram.com/katherinesteflcostumes/ Photographer: Candace C. https://www.instagram.com/candacec.photos/
Outline the story …
My design is based on the Dark Fairy from the YA novel "Reckless" by Cornelia Funk. The Dark Fairy is an evil character, originally presented to the reader as cold, calculating, and regal. She is mistress to the king and behaves and dresses accordingly. However, throughout the book we see more of her nature as a fairy and woman shine through. She is vengeful, formidable, and at times desperate. Her powers are preternatural, while being derived from nature. I wanted to use this costume to portray both perceived aspects of her character at the same time. The first and final perceptions of her are superficially conflicting, but when examined closer are just facets of a complicated character. I wanted to blend these perceptions to show her duality in one look, while maintaining the spirit of her imposing and evil presence. The Mirrorworld the Fairy lives in is described as emulating our world at a belated rate. Objects that would seem historical and outdated to us are just gaining traction and utilization in their world. I applied this concept to the clothing of the Mirrorworld as well, taking fantasy inspired liberties for the costume, but keeping historical inspiration from the 18th century for many pieces. The fairy is described as usually wearing green velvet and having beauty “like a spider’s venom”. She has black moths that originate from her hair and act as her henchmen, which are included in the design.
Outline the construction…
For this project I used as many materials from my stash as possible. The costume consists of a shift, two petticoats, stays, panniers, a cloak, pauldrons, and a headpiece. The materials are cheesecloth, cotton drill, quilting cotton, linen, various thrift store curtains, faux leather, and leather from thrift store purses. The boning is heavy duty zip ties and the headpiece is millinery wire and tulle. This is the first costume I have made head to toe from scratch. I created all of the patterns except for the crown which is modified from a pattern by Jeffrey Lieder for the Nutcracker by the Milwaukee Ballet. I was taught the method for making the crown by my friend Katherine, who was the model for this project. I used a combination of flat drafting and draping for the patterns. The stays are drafted loosely based on the arc method by Luca Costigliolo. This was my first time making a historical or corset pattern, leather working, textile painting, using millinery wire, and using metallic thread. The entire process was helped greatly by Youtube tutorials and Foundations Revealed articles. I aimed to improve my pattern drafting, pattern matching, hand stitching, and hand bound eyelets. The biggest challenge was patterning, fitting, and using mitered corners to bind the stays. I am more than proud of the work that went into that garment specifically and incredibly pleased with the outcome. I feel that my skills overall have improved greatly from this project.
Well done ! The stays look amazing, and the headpiece is beautiful as well !
Thank you so much! I had never tried something that complicated before so I appreciate it!
I love that head piece!
Thank you! That was the first piece I designed for this costume!
Hands down one of the most coordinated and visually stunning creations! The photos look like they could be in a high end magazine.
Wow! Thank you so much! I’ll be sure to pass your comment to the photographer!
Those stays look wonderful! And very well fitted too, great job♡
Thank you! This was my first time trying to create a pattern like this so I worked really hard to get the fit as correct as I could. I really appreciate you taking the time to notice!
This costume is so great! The stays are beautiful and I love the creativity of the design. I really love this entry!
Thank you so much! Your comment brightened my day! The design was the part I was least confident in, so I appreciate it a lot!
The stays and fabric choices are amazing. Well done!
Thank you! I tried to use all thrifted
materials or leftovers from other projects! I’m glad you liked them!
Well made. Atmospheric! Nice carry through with make- up, hair, and headwear! Great photos, too! Captured concept!
Thank you so much! This was my first time doing an actual photo shoot of a costume like this, so putting together a full look was really fun! Thanks for taking the time to notice the details!
The whole costume is wonderful, especially the stays and the headpiece!
Thank you! Those are my favorite parts as well, and the parts I worked the hardest on. I’m glad you liked them!
The whole outfit is beautifully made and coordinated, but I’m particularly a big fan of the gorgeous headpiece! It really crowns the whole ensemble (pun intended!)
Thank you so much! I worked really hard at it and I haven’t tried something like that before so I’m incredibly pleased with the outcome and I’m glad you like it! I also love puns!
I love this!
Thank you! It makes me very happy to hear that!