Costume For the Tate Britain Gallery
modelled by Melanie Hemmings

While at University we were commissioned to design and create Venetian-style Carnival costumes for a walking exhibition at the Tate Gallery.

We were given the brief to base our design on two aspects of research: traditional Venetian and exotic carnival costumes and also a drawing and sketching session at the natural history museum. My costume was inspired by 'A lizard shedding it's skin' and the shape was based on 18th century Venetian costumes.

Guide Price: To commission a similar costume you should budget £800-£1500, depending on the standard of finish you require.


Techniques used to create this costume included:
hand dying silk to create a 'snake-skin' pattern,
creating period undergarments (panniers) to support the 18th century shape of the skirt
melting plastic and cellophane to create sheer delicate 'lace'
wiring and starching silk for the mask and shoulder pieces
lavish embellishment with sequins, lace and stones
working with leather for the gloves and lower corset

Costume For the Tate Britain Gallery
modelled by Melanie Hemmings

While at University we were commissioned to design and create Venetian-style Carnival costumes for a walking exhibition at the Tate Gallery. My costume is the green one with the white face, centre back. I am also modelling a costume made by another student, middle right with the black face mask and red wig. My costume was based on 'a lizard shedding it's skin'. Other people created designs based on lions, butterflies, birds, among others and inspired by the landscape of Venice, Carmen Miranda or New Orleans costumes.