Description

This Textile Major Work is a non-traditional ballet tutu inspired by my personal connection to ballet, having grown up dancing and wanting to reinterpret the classical costume through a contemporary couture lens. The design draws on Greek mythology, specifically the Three Graces—Aglaea (Radiance), Euphrosyne (Joy), and Thalia (Flowering) with each muse symbolically represented through colour, texture, and embellishment. Influenced by the romantic, highly embellished aesthetic of Australian designer Paolo Sebastian, the tutu features a structured corset bodice paired with layered tulle to maintain the iconic ballet silhouette while elevating it through couture construction. Decorative floral motifs and shimmer textiles reference Thalia's association with blooming beauty, while luminous materials evoke Aglaea's radiance and soft, playful textures reflect Euphrosyne's joy. The final piece celebrates femininity, movement, and theatrical elegance through a fusion of mythology, performance, and high fashion.

Images of Work

"From the bottom of the corset, a multi-layered, high-volume skirt extends. An outer layer of lustrous, gathered woven fabric in matching coral-pink is shaped by ruching and controlled draping. Beneath, a secondary layer carries dispersed three-dimensional white floral appliqués, some accented with micro-pearl bead centres. A base layer of pink tulle or netting acts as a built-in petticoat, enhancing fullness and structure. The combined corsetry, layered construction and floral embellishment produce a romantic, fantasy-inspired ballgown effect with a subtle, glamorous sheen."

"The top layer of the skirt shows a mixed arrangement of laser-cut flowers. These are effective in drawing the eye down the length of the skirt."

Select Student Folio Pages

The pages selected for each project reflect the individual students' interpretations of the syllabus guidelines for the MTP. Each student should develop their folio according to the guidelines, relating to their own individual project. This may result in a variety of presentation styles, numbers of sketches and/or experiments.