HOLLY GRACE DESIGN

Burnt out Phoenix 

I was inspired by the life cycle of the phoenix when designing and making this costume, focusing on the stages within the ashes at the start and end of the cycle. I visited the Spellbound Exhibition at the Ashmolean museum, and was inspired to combine this with the imagery of the witch as an old hag. The corset is fully boned with raw edges. The petticoat/ skirt is worn under the bustle as it acts as a base for the 'tail' feathers. I broke this piece down with carefully considered burning and built it up with different textures including tree bark (on the corset), wax, ash, dried plants and feathers. This was paired with shoes I sourced, and was designed to have a headpiece in the shape of a bird skull.