My good friend Emma Belli invited me to collaborate with Nottingham Trent University (NTU) this month on their “Alice Re-Imagined” project. She said that she couldn’t imagine anyone better suited to the role 😊 NTU wanted to produce a short film showcasing seven different costumes inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and I was excited to accept Emma’s offer to be Alice for the day.
On this project, I worked with two departments from the University: “Costume Design and Construction” and “Filmmaking”. I visited NTU for a day of costume fittings, where I met the participating Students and Lecturers. It was great to see how they were starting to bring their designs to life.
Later in the month, I drove back north to join a team of NTU students and lecturers, where we worked together to film material on the beautiful grounds of Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire. The final video has now been edited and will be featured alongside the costumes in an exhibition at Newstead Abbey. The exhibition is part of Newstead Abbey’s “Storybook Christmas” event, which you can attend between Saturday, 26th November 2022 – Monday, 2nd January 2023.
As I appreciate that travelling to Nottinghamshire is not so simple for many of my blog friends, NTU and Newstead Abbey have kindly allowed me to share photographs and the final video with you via my blog. I will share them with you next week and still encourage those who can visit Newstead Abbey, to have a festive adventure, as it is a beautiful historic house with whimsical grounds to explore.
This week I will focus on the concept drawings created by the design students, which formed the basis for their final costumes. The students were tasked with creating a version of Alice inspired by a particular costume theme. The themes that were chosen for the students to explore were:
- Cyber Punk
- Classic Punk
- Pirate / New Romantic
- Space Disco
- Warrior
- Mysterious Teddy Girl
For Designs 1 – 6, a group of students worked as a team on each design, from concept to creation. Here are their concept drawings to give you a taster of the outfits to come.
I can’t wait to share with you behind-the-scenes photos and the final film soon.
Classic Punk
Libby Roberts – Supervisor
Erin Hill
Hannah Sowter
Ellie Preston
Olivia Zeoli
Lucy Hill
Warrior
Phoebe Godsmark – Supervisor
Alice Adams
Colin Fiore
Amelie Bradshaw
Scarlett Royle
Katie Singsby
Teddy Girl
Paige Green – Supervisor
Niamh Colling
Lola-Rose Cripps
Holly Lowe
Sarah Bowler
Emily Applegate
Space Disco
Delaney Hoyt – Supervisor
Evie Skinner – Supervisor stand in
Ruier Li
Grace Curran
Jieru Sun
Monica Kelly
Cyber Punk
M Godfrey – Joint Supervisor
Rachel Usher – Joint Supervisor
Olivia Rebori
Blossom Weal
Hannah Western
Jennika Bunney
New Romantic
Isi Roberts – Supervisor
Yixuan Yang
Molly Jarvis
Anna Horackova
Scarlett Wood
Honor Schwartz
What a wonderful project! The students are so creative and talented. This is a joy to see Charlotte.
I had the most amazing two days, I was exhausted when I got home after the shoot.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Can’t wait to see the photos and film. Thanks for sharing, Charlotte.
The film is very creative, I really like what the film students did with some of the footage.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a super cool project. The drawings are wonderful.
It was great being back in a university, all that energy and excitement.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your creativity and enthusiasm are contagious! <3 I'd say have fun, but you already are!
It was a very serendipitous opportunity. It was great to see the university so creatively combine department skills to showcase them.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a lovely project, sounds like you had a busy but happy time. I love all the photos Charlotte. 🥰❤️
You’ll love the video Gill, I was singing along at one point and the camera man had to tell me to stop because of the editing he wanted to do later 😂.
Best wishes always,
Charlotte xx
Love the name of the University 😁😂 Sounds like a cool project and I guess with your reworking Alice, being part of re-imaging Alice is appropriate. I enjoyed the little taste from the sketches and look forward to seeing the photos and video. I do think, however, that the punk people should have used some chains in the costume. Not only is it punk, in ways, but… OK, OK, the band Alice in Chains is Grunge/Alternative not punk, but close enough. lol Anyway, looking forward to part 2!
Oh, what talented and imaginative students.
Nice work. It just made me wonder whether punk was still up-to-date. I was finishing undergraduate when Johnny Rotten and the Sex pistols came out… 😳
I think people still like a rebel. Alice has a rebellious side, running off without a thought of where she would end up. Even if it was just a dream. 🤔 or was it? Lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Not sure it was. A dream. I keep seeing rabbits in a hurry every once in a while. 🐰
Since I’m a tad far away form the British Isles and thus unable to attend, I look forward to the video next week. (I think you are totally Alice…)
Love this Charotte and happy your button is working!! Yay!!❣️
Certainly a wonderful project. Having in the past enjoyed performances at Newstead Abbey I am sure it is a suitable venue
I can imagine being asked and be part of such beautiful project is challenging. But I’m sure working in such creative space will give a good and satisfying feeling. Thanks for posting this lovely story and the beautiful pictures! Looking forward to the behind-the-scenes photos and the final film too.
Sounds amazing. I’m looking forward to seeing the next instalment of this great project.
How totally exciting and I can’t wait to see the costumes. You are the perfect Alice! And I love the pink hat. Very soignee!
It must be exciting.
What a wonderful project, Charlotte, and the drawings are amazing. Beautiful photo of you, too!
Really cool photo
YAY!!!
This is fabulous news, Charlotte.
What an interesting and creative project. Love it! 🤩
I look forward to seeing the video next post!
In the meantime I mailed you my response from WordPress, and some other info about comments.
No stress, at all. I told them this might take a bit of time, as we are both uber busy.
AND.. The zipper is in the skirt. I’m about to put it on Judy and finish attaching the waistband. Once that is attached, I’m back on the bodice. (Lining, straps, etc.) Also while the skirt and bodice are on Judy, I’m having a first look at a tail possibility.
Cheers!
❦❦
Looking forward to the film, as well as the behind-the-scenes pictures. The concept drawings are wonderful. Creative and inspiring!