miasma

costume for Sooah/twigLimbs2 hybrid

I knew Hurricane Irene was going to impact my life one way or another, and so I drafted a project to work on over a long weekend, potentially with no electricity. I researched and designed the costume on Saturday, and started to work when I woke Sunday morning to no power. Stitching black fabric with black thread by candle light is only pleasant in thought. In practice I thought I would go blind! I was grateful when the power came back on and stitched the long hems by machine with no regrets!
The costume consists of an under-dress, with a stretch knit top and thick collar, and a gray moleskin full skirt. Over that is a pin-striped apron with pockets for holding herbs, and then over that a full coat with tiered sleeves and split sides with textured panels. The hands, since the fingers were too close together to glove, are wrapped in strips of black cloth with a leather cuff on the forearm. The mask is made from paperclay, worn under a 2-layer head covering (to keep the germs out!).

2011