Beneath the Waves

MLC School

Isabella Dodd Shipsey


"2 piece skirt and top textile art project, inspired by the fairytale The Little Mermaid."

Images of Work

"The textile item is a blue, sleeveless, one-shoulder top with a mermaid-inspired aesthetic. The satin fabric features a gradient of blues, resembling the ocean, and the top is heavily embellished with oceanic elements. The bodice is cropped and fitted, one-shouldered, primarily in shades of blue with accents of turquoise, green, gold and white. Decorative elements include swirling gold thread embroidery resembling underwater currents, and scattered white beads that look like pearls or bubbles. Embellishments include sequins in various shades of blue and green, small irregular-shaped turquoise and green beads, tiny white beads including freshwater pearls, a gold embroidered starfish appliqué, a piece of turquoise lace appliqué representing seaweed/coral, and small white seashell fragments. The overall aesthetic is whimsical and evokes a strong mermaid and underwater fantasy theme."

"A vibrant, ocean-themed textile. The primary fabric is a rich, royal blue satin with a smooth, lustrous finish. Adorning this blue base is a collection of embellishments that evoke an underwater scene. Dominating the centre is a stylised starfish appliqué, crafted from a delicate, openwork lace/embroidery in a warm, golden-brown/bronze colour. Its intricate pattern creates negative space, adding depth and texture. To the left of the starfish, a cluster of turquoise lace appliqués has a shimmery, glittery quality, reminiscent of seafoam or shimmering water, denser and more organic than the starfish appliqué. Scattered across the blue fabric are various embellishments that further enhance the aquatic theme, including translucent circular "gems" or large beads in shades of turquoise and deep teal, resembling water bubbles or pebbles. Smaller round beads, some appearing pearlescent white, and a tiny seashell add to the seafloor detail. A thin gold thread weaves through the design, adding a subtle shimmer."

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.