Rebecca Jayne Lodge Costumier

This costume is the interpretation of the 1896 Mardi Gras, Dumb Society, taking place in New Orleans. The "White Mouse" was designed by Carlotta Bonnecaze. The aim of this costume was to use innovative techniques to produce a new take on the design. With this in mind, I referred back to the Nakamichi's Pattern Magic books to create the bow within the dress. I altered Nakamichi's pattern in order to fit around the body suit I had constructed, which helped create the basic mouse shape. I layered the silk habatai with cream silk in order to create a luxurious and soft appearance. To create the pleats I used a more traditional methos of gathering a strip of fabric into pleats of equal distance, I then wet the fabric and hung it from a frame. I then attached weights to the bottom to pull the fabric and pleats taught. When left to dry the pleats remain in tact.