Iterations on a Theme
The Spark, Raving! (SR) mask is inspired by (and meant to complement) a modular costume set of the same name. The SR costume began simply, with the creation of a costume to wear to music festivals and other events. I wanted the pieces to have the ability to be used independently of each other, and all of the costume pieces can be considered a capsule collection with interchangeable parts. The costume is comprised of bellbottom pants, a bodysuit with removable fringe, an embellished bra top, a wrap that can be a shawl or body drape, a white tank top, and multiple headpieces and crystal beaded jewelry.
The costume was accepted into the 2019 Costume Society of America’s annual conference juried design exhibition, and has been worn to the 2018 and 2019 Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, and the 2018 Imagine Festival in Atlanta.
Mask Composition
The SR mask is a multi-layered and multi-textured piece: white cotton twill was fused to an iridescent sequin knit fabric. The subsequent layers are white and holographic silver sequin appliques, crystal beads, vintage AB chandelier prisms, and rhinestones. All of the embellishments are hand stitched, and the rhinestones adhered with E6000 glue. Work on this mask was completed over a series of months, in short stretches of time, and provided time for reflection on the original costume and the process of putting a modular collection of pieces together into a transformable costume.
Layers of fabrics and embellishments has become a signature for my design style. In this case, the materials are reflective and change color in the light.
This project is funded in part by the Cornell Council for the Arts.
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