This dress design was inspired by jellyfish, specifically the moon jellyfish and blue lions mane jellyfish which are both commonly found in Scotland especially during the warmer summer months. I chose duotone and shiny fabrics such as organza to explore and represent the iridescence and fascinating clearness of many jellyfish species. I used various techniques such as the gathering of the skirt pieces as well as touched details on the edges of the organza layers on top of the skirt. I also created a stamp using developed shape of a moon jellyfish which I then used with gouache paint to create a printed fabric . I chose to have the top layer of the skirt to have the opaque layer of the printed silk fabric underneath the organza layers to reflect the way the bell of a jellyfish often looks when viewed from above. I also explored the way the tentacles of a jellyfish fall underneath through the silhouette of my dress, using the length of the bottom layer of the skirt to emulate the idea of the tentacles falling below as well as the gathered layers of light blue organza as well as layers of sheer sequin detailed reused curtains to reflect the colour variations and different shapes found throughout the tentacles of a jellyfish. I also hand printed and beaded the bodice of the dress to reflect a jellyfish’s tentacles as well as added ties as straps and lace up details to further reflect this idea.
