Class Projects
Creative Draping
This project is an exploration of Haute Couture Fashion Designer Guo Pei's sculpted "Blue and Porcelain" Gown. It was designed for her 2010 "1002 Nights" Collection. This gown was inspired by blue and white china: the vases from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) as well as the shapes of Chinese folding Fans. The original gown is fully embroidered and embellished with Swarovski crystals. It has been displayed in many museums as well as been worn by 2012 Miss China where it won Best National Costume ad the Miss Universe Pageant.
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In this rendition, I explore how to recreate this dress with the help of digitally printing fabric and less labor to lower the costs in hopes to bring such designs into theater.
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Fit Model: Leighann Halik
Tutu
In collaboration with The Richmond Ballet, this is one of the tutu's created for one of the fairy's in their production of Sleeping Beauty. The Ballet provided the materials and the design and this tutu was constructed, fit on a body of similar measurements with alteration points and sent back to the ballet.
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Fit Model: Matty Blatt
Historical Reproduction
This project examines how historical garments were made. The original bodice is part of the UNC COSTAR archive collection of historical garments dated from 1850-1860. After the original has been examined, a new one is created to fit a modern body using fabrics that are as close to the original as available.
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Fit Model: Ellen Cornette
Historical Corset
This project examines how to recreate a historical corset through only available images. This corset is part of The MET Museum's collection dated from 1880. There are only 3 images available of the original. From this, I used corset construction books by Mandy Barrington and Jill Salen to figure out shaping pieces for the pattern and layout of the bone channels.
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Fit Model: Ellen Cornette
Strapless Dress with Foundation
This project focuses on learning to create a foundation that would support a strapless garment.
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Fit Model: Alex Hagman
The Universe Project
When COVID-19 forced PlayMakers Repertory Company's productions to halt, this project was a collaboration with the Professional Acting Program to create a project in which both programs can learn and create - in the Costume program - high quality historical garments and explore the changes that are necessary for a theatrical production.
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This is a recreation of a late 1910's corset using pattern translations from Ageless Patterns. The instructions were followed to create the original pattern and then sized to fit a modern body.
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Fit Model: Lauren Woods
Tailoring
This tailored jacket was made in conjunction with learning the techniques for making a bespoke suit jacket. Fit and style are custom to the model.
This jacket features:
Custom printed fabric from Spoonflower Fabrics, Barcelona Pocket, pattern-matching center back pleat, detail top stitching, and hand-bound buttonholes.
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Fit Model: Alex Hagman
Other Work
Includes Period garments & other construction exploration