Initial Drawings

Started to do some research into the fashion of the period that the book was written in (1848). While doing this i had some initial ideas which i wanted to get onto paper.
Though the style of the dress i had in mind didn't match with the

 original date i still think it's a style which would work. It is still a

 shape associated with the Victorian period which is when the

exotic flower collecting craze hit. So the use of the fresh flowers

 in my design would still be relevant. The main colours i want to use are red and white. white being the colour of purity and the image that she wants to portray. So the red i want to keep as a lining to represent the passion, love and illness she is trying to hide. So the red will be glimpsed and seem to be seeping through her facade.

I think that this shape of dress works better than the ones from 1848 since this style has the bustle giving me a space in which to showcase and bring focus to the flowers each of which will have thier own meaning. I'm using the victorian trend of floriology to research the meanings behind specific flowers.  

Independant Design Project

Next term we have been given an Independant design project we we have to direct ourselves. I'm working on a project in collaboration with Wollaton Hall where a group of us will be putting on various performances and installations. My inspiration was the Camellia House ( essentially a specialised green house constructed specifically for Camellia's) in the halls grounds. I decided to use the play Camille by Alexandre Dumas as the focus of my installation and using the Camellia house as a space to set the Narrative in. I also plan on the main focus of my installation being a costume as was done in Kensington palace by Wildworks for The Enchanted Palace Exhibition.

Though Camille is a French story and has no real connection to Wollaton Hall i think that because the Camellia flower was a central focus of the play that doing it in the Camellia House will give it a good context and connection to the surroundings. As the project develops I will keep my progress up to date on here.