FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Weirwood Tree Dryad Gown
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Photographer: Rob L, Videographer: Joy Knouse
Outline the story …
The weirwood tree is a symbol of the old gods in A Song of Ice and Fire. Weirwoods are characterized by smooth bone white wood trunks and blood red leaves with five points. Most weirwoods have faces carved into their trunks. I wanted to further personify this sacred tree by creating a weirwood dryad gown. I was inspired by the look of red carpet and gala gowns and wanted to make the weirwood tree into a couture dryad dream dress. I designed the body of the gown to be white with red leaves and appliques. While the headpiece forms the top of the tree, I wanted to capture the aesthetic of falling leaves cascading down the dress. Not only is the weirwood tree itself white, but it is often found in the snowy north, and I wanted to blend the tree into the snow, as it is often depicted surrounded by fallen leaves. I wanted the under skirt to have some red at the bottom, as a nod to the tree’s red sap. In designing my gala worthy gown, I decided to have a deep red ombre at the top of the under skirt, as well as the chiffon sleeves I added for an ethereal touch. The branches help to give a larger than life appearance and tie in the tree’s personification as a nod to dryad and faerie imagery. I chose to have the branches reach up from my back the way wings reach up from a mythical creature.
Outline the construction…
All patterns were drafted by me. The corset is constructed using spiral and flat steel boning and waist tape. The corset and skirt are both made of white duchess satin. The corset is lined in cotton twill and interlined in duck canvas. The over skirt is lined with cotton twill to create more weight, and the hem is reinforced with horsehair to give body. The bottom of the skirt is decorated with sequined lace trim, and leaves adorn the entire length, scattered as though fallen from the tree. The overskirt contains twill tape and buttons used as a bustle system on the inside, inspired by Victorian skirt construction, so that I can bustle the skirt for walking. The underskirt is made of satin I had printed in ombre, which I digitally designed. This skirt is fitted with a back zipper and a side front slit. The headpiece is a covered headband base and a covered foam structure, which I designed and sewed onto the headband, and eaves are hot glued onto the structure. Chains hang from the front and back of the headpiece, with red leaves sewn in. The sleeves are chiffon, printed in custom ombre, hand stitched to the branches, all a separate structure that sits inside the back of the corset and ties into the corset in front. Leaves and appliques are hand stitched onto the corset and skirt. Small branches are stitched onto the corset, and two branches are hand stitched to the back of the skirt.
I just love the way the train bustles up. Almost like you’ve made 2 separate gowns
Beautiful work. I love how the placement of leaves works so well down and when the skirt bustles
This is so rad! I love the leaves and branches in the top part of the composition, and the shape of the skirts. A very unique take on GoT themes.
this is lovely! i love the red leaf motif, and the blood berries ornamenting the bodice. and i have a soft spot for costuming with branches! good luck from icarus!
The mix of lace and leafs is just brilliant! the textures are delicious <3
This is beautiful! Red on white is so striking and, I love your use of different textures.
I love this so so SO much, I’m running out of words !
Very intriguing concept idea; it’s very cool.
This is beautiful!! I love the branch wings, very clever!
Beautifully done, so dramatic!
It is strikingly and hauntingly beautiful – which I think is fitting for those trees! <3
So lovely – especially the back view gathered up and the vibrancy of the leaves. I really liked the way the bodice stood away from the body too in the video and that lovely head dress. Your hair was the perfect shade too!
What a cool design! Love the details and the shapes!