Corsetry and costumes
 To achieve a good fit, a mock-up of the corset is made and adjusted as necessary. |  |
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This corset, for a member of a dance troupe, had to feel secure and sturdy whilst also allowing some fairly energetic movement. The main fabric was satin, to which I applied lace overlays and a 3d applique briar rose effect. Black edging and eyelet lacing completed the effect. |
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The same pattern was used for this design as for the red and black one above.
This time black satin was overlaid with a silver "spun sugar" look mesh, alternating solid blocks with a zebra-stripe effect. |
This client had a passion for all things leopard-print, and was pleased to be able to custom-design her own corset using faux fur of her choice.
The garment was completed with a black busk and eyelets, plus red binding and lacing. | 
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This flat-fronted corset has a front busk opening as well as eyelet lacing at the back.
 These photos show a cupped corset with matching storage belt, both fastened with eyelet lacing. The stretch lace skirt is worn with an underskirt of sparkly powernet which gives a nude effect.
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This project focussed on textures and the use of unusual materials.
The corset (with front busk fastening and rear eyelet lacing) has transparent panels which can either be left bare, or contain decorative inserts as in the top picture (where sharp metal swarf spirals criss-cross the front panels to give a fierce, spiky effect). The skirt features multiple layers of appliqué and surface decoration to give an ornate, aquatic effect. |   |
 | This costume piece was based on the goddess Aphrodite, said to have risen from the foam of the sea (hence the satin-backed fronds of the skirt) and led a life of leisure, beauty and passion. She had a "girdle" which could make anyone fall in love with the wearer.
To convey these effects, I edged both the sweetheart neckline of the corset and the armwarmers with a boa trim, and decorated the belt with symbols of love and lust such as oysters, chocolates and condoms. |
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The counterbalance to Aphrodite was Hel, Queen of the Dead, her upper half a beautiful woman but a rotting corpse from the waist down. The costume features 2 layers of leggings - black stretch lace underneath and silver stretch lurex on top. The lurex is tattered, pulled into holes and distressed as well as having appliqué shards and strands attached to represent decomposition. The metallic tunic gives a suitably sleek effect at the top, then degenerates into holes and shreds with slashes and cutouts around the hip.
This client wanted to attend a festival as Lady Gaga in her infamous outfit made of meat.
Fortunately he only wanted me to make it from fabrics, but it was still quite a challenge making it look authentic. This picture shows the first stages of construction and experimentation. |  A range of materials, stitching techniques and fabric paints were used to create a suitably gory impression. |
 I used images of the original from various different angles so as to achieve as close a resemblance as possible |
The outcome was successful and included hat, boots and jewellery.
As the costume would be worn for a prolongued time, I made it in 3 parts: a basic, more lightweight dress beneath, and heavier pvc-based pieces around the waist and collar which could be removed without spoiling the overall effect. |
 |  This project's themes included the icy landscape of the extreme north, and aspects of Inuit clothing. A fake fur trimmed, hooded fleece is worn over a silver pvc bustier, and silver-blue micro-shorts are worn over "suspender-chaps" made of swimsuiting and fake fur. Silver pvc fingerless gloves and a draping of frosted beads at the hip complete the outfit.
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This was a collaborative project with fellow students at “Silai For Skills” in Bristol, and I focussed on the decoration of the skirt.
For further information on courses: http://www.silai.org.uk/ |  |
I was asked to make an all-in-one fancy-dress garment along the lines of this ruche-topped harem pant.
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The first stage was to devise a pattern then make a mock-up of the garment in scrap material.
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The theme of the outfit was "maths", hence the choice of fabric. It was completed with a hooded, cropped and partially lined jacket.
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