Get Your Costume On

Year Two Project The Blue Bird

For the second year in a row myself and Kimberley managed to make it along to the Edinburgh College of Art show. Like I said in my previous post this year it had been split into two shows, one for fashion and one for costume, with only one sold out combined show. We decided to head along to see the work of the Costume students but, even though I felt this was the better section of last years show, I still preferred seeing the Fashion and Costume together. For one thing I felt it was much more value for money. This year I felt I'd just got myself settled and it was all over. Another issue of this year was the change in format from a raised catwalk to a salon style show. This looked fine if you were in the front row but not as great if, like me, you were situated behind someone with rather big hair. Having the models raised up would have made this less of a problem and would have meant I didn't have to invade Kimberley's personal space to to get a decent view. The walkway also horseshoed around the audience meaning that at some points I couldn't see anything as the action was taking place well out of view. This, coupled with the direction some of the models walked, meant that I only got to see the back of some outfits. As beautiful as they were I would have much preferred to see the whole costume.





Both: Year Two Project The Blue Bird

More from Year Two Project The Blue Bird

Anyway enough of the niggling negatives, all of which were format issues and though they were irritating they did not overshadow the work that was on display. Again I was wowed by the choice of music accompanying each collection, the selection of costumes on offer, the workmanship that had gone into them and the way they were displayed. I loved the energy of the models and the way they made the costumes and characters come alive. One of my favourite examples of this was Sophie Donaldson's The Birds collection where the models took on he fidgety movements of their characters.




Both: Sophie Donaldson The Birds

Other highlights of choreography included the pied piper-esque Designing the Music Festival collection by Elle Wilson which saw the musicians being followed by a group of dancing festival goers, the nifty tennis and dance moves of Lucy Minta Reeves' section based on Richard Bach's fable Jonathan Livingston Seagull and the dramatic chase scene of Ilona Russel's Struuwelpeter adaptation.


Elle Wilson Designing the Music Festival




Lucy Minta Reeves Johnathan Livingston Seagull


Ilona Russell Struuwelpeter

The collection that caught my eye from a costume point of view was Claire Blakes Wild Women project. These ladies had little lights within their headpieces and dresses which created a very atmospheric effect.


Clare Blake Wild Women

And Kimberley especially loved the rather amazing wig sported by the Snow Queen like character of Jasmine based on Struuwelpeter, a set of Victorian poems.

Ilona Russell's Jasmine character

And, for good measure, here some more pics of collections and details that caught my eye.


Anna Crimin Designs for The Magic Flute


Year Three Project The Master and Margarita


Jennifer Sneddon Thorn in my side...you know that's all you ever were

The ECA Degree Show runs from 11th-9th June where you can get a closer look at all these costumes as well as work from other courses including Fashion, Animation, Fine Art and Jewellery. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can make it along.