Costume Design

ROUTINE DRESSES 

Utilizing the design previously created for the Mattierin team costume, I worked along side dress makers Daithi Fisher and Ian McCleod to design and create a more versatile and contemporary performance costume. They are still in the process of being made and are set to include removable lace sleeves and Swavorski crystals around the neckline. 

TEAM COSTUMES

A collaboration with artist, Rob Morton, the Mattierin school costumes were designed as an update from the original school costumes. The colours - orange, bright green, white, and hunter green - are the official colours of the school. The owner wanted a design that portrayed both traditional Celtic influences, the Celtic cross (school emblem) and modern flare. The challenge was to create a design that incorporated all this and that could withstand the test of time in terms of Irish dance costume fashion, which is ever changing.   

Working with Rob was fantastic. I would come up with ideas in terms of layout, general shape, and style ideas, and he would complete the illustrations with brilliant detail. With my sister, Rebecca Bell, I was able to colour the final illustrations by Rob and work with the seamstress to create the tailored design that I had in mind. 

This was a great chance to work with several different people all with different skill sets and achieve a brilliant final product that the owner of the school as well as the dancers and many other like and continue to positively rave about.