This collection is influenced by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, fashion history and folktales. My interest in costume stems from the work of Eiko Ishioka and Colleen Atwood, who each take an emotional approach to garment design that leaves the viewer with something magical to look at, particularly in their projects based on horror and fairytales. Each of my looks aims to evoke a sense of personality, with a colour palette inspired by natural landscapes and folklore. Techniques used by costume departments to give character, such as distressing and dyeing with acid dyes are used, achieving a lived-in look that reflects the passing of time. Vampire folklore is rooted in ancient superstitions about the body, death and the natural world, so I was keen to reference this drama, while also maintaining the modern cinematic view of vampirism as glamourous through use of silhouettes and draping. I was also influenced by other aspects of costume design including dance, where historical clothing is adapted to give volume and movement to a garment.
