Something Special

Olivia Marsh interviews Amie Bell, final year degree student at the University of Lincoln working on an Alice in Wonderland collection for her final year project. 

Tell me about your final year project? What’s the central task and what have you selected to do?

In fashion, but much like many other subjects, we get to choose what we want to do for our final year project. We have to think of something that will keep us inspired and motivated for the whole year.

Over the Summer, we have to investigate potential themes using imagery, drawing, design ideas, colour, written notes, fabrics, yarns, pattern ideas etc, and record them into a sketchbook which will then lead us to develop a clear understanding of which idea offers the most potential for further 2D/3D development.

We then have to demonstrate that we have fully engaged with the idea and that it is a feasible one in terms of creative potential, garment development, innovation, and market availability. When we start 3rd year in September we have to present our final collection concept via a range of well presented research, market research ie. Current fashion/designers, websites, exhibitions, fashion shows, trade fairs, etc, initial design ideas, colour palettes, mood boards, fabric/yarn/knit stories, and finally full part toiles exploring key shapes, details, construction and pattern cutting methods.

It’s a lot to do over the Summer but we will definitely need the time for pattern cutting and manufacturing!

Why did you pick Alice in Wonderland and what is it about Lewis Carroll’s story that you think captures people’s imaginations?

I chose Alice In Wonderland because I find it interesting and meaningful. There are lots of elements that have significant symbols/characters that would be useful to inspire shape and/or print for my designs, such as the mushroom the caterpillar sits on, the flowers in the garden, the queen of hearts, croquet with the flamingos, etc. I have done a lot of research on Carroll himself and found out a lot of interesting facts about him, which explains a lot of the uniqueness within the story. Alice In Wonderland is a wildly imaginative story, which is brilliant for children, but it is still written in an adult yet amusing way, and I think this is what captivates the audience.

What’s your favourite version of Alice in Wonderland (any means or media)?

I came across a wonderful silent film on youtube when researching the films. It’s the first ever film version of Lewis Carroll’s tale, directed by Cecil Hepworth and Percy stow in 1903, and it is wonderfully enchanting! It’s simple props, scenery, and bouncy piano music makes it captivating to the audience. Although it is only 9 minutes 33 seconds it covers all the elements within the story. It is by far one of my favourite adaptations.

How do you go about researching this kind of project, which resources do you use?

We have to cover as much research as we can. I have looked at the different key elements within the story and done some research on each.
I mainly use the Internet for research as I can access many journals and newspaper articles this way. I also use a variation of books and magazines to collate imagery and inspirational illustrative work to aid me with my designs. I go to exhibitions and galleries, such as the V&A, which is a good way to gather primary evidence. I have also visited Kew Gardens, as there is quite a lot of floral imagery in my mood board and other research.

What do you listen to when you’re designing and creating to keep you focused/ inspired?

I like to listen to an array of music when designing it just depends on my mood. My favorite artists at the moment are Amy Winehouse, City & Colour, Ben Howard, Elbow, Dry The River, Florence And The Machine, and Active Child. I guess that’s a fair few!

What other factors have inspired your work?
There was an interesting article I came across while researching about the Printemps shopping centre in France. Printemps had collaborated with a few of the biggest fashion designers, allowing them to create a window display reflecting their interpretation of Alice In Wonderland for the release of the Time Burton film released in 2010. The designers who contributed to the beautiful display were: Chloé, Alexander McQueen, Haider Ackermann, Maison Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Charles Anastase, Manish Arora, and Bernard Wilhelm. All very different garments, yet beautiful.

Which designers inspire your work?

I have looked at John Tenniel’s illustrations for the Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland book and hope to take most of the key features in my designs from his drawings.
Bob Crowley is a highly respected costume/set designer for theatre. His wonderful perspective on the tale brings the tale into a new light with a slight twist to story, making the knave of hearts Alice’s love interest. His bold use of shapes to represent the cards, beautiful and delicate fabric for Alice, amazing use of set design to portray the trickery of perspective within the story, is all too amazing and highly inspirational.
Colleen Atwood has been a keen idol of mine ever since I got into designing. She actually designed for Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice In Wonderland, her costumes are unique and different to John Tenniel’s illustrations yet they capture the Victorian period very well!

What other dramas/ stories would you like to design costumes for?
I have always loved the costumes in the fantasy style stories/films/dramas, such as Harry Potter, Snow White and The Huntsman, The Lord of the Rings, Stardust, I could go on. I feel that the fantasy style stories/films allow the designer to be freer with their designs, as if anything is possible.

Follow Amie on Twitter and follow her website for Alice in Wonderland and design based inspiration.