Graduate costume project 2022

Tir na nOg is an Irish myth which tells the story of Oisin, a warrior and member of the Fianna, and his journey to Tir na nOg (Land of Youth). I wanted to modernise this ancient tale by setting it as a rave, drawing on the utopian elements of the story and also the reopening of clubs in 2021 after the pandemic, when I started this project. The final costume intends to combine elements of pre-Christian Irish fashion, and 90s rave culture.

The puffer cape is white with blue illustrations depicting different scenes and characters from the Fenian cycle of mythology. I chose blue line drawings on a stark white background in an attempt to imitate Celtic war paint. 

The trousers are extremely wide-leg, referencing early naughties baggy jeans, and the imagery is laid out a little like tartan. The painting depicts Aillihies and Beara, both places in West Cork. 

I wanted to take Celtic armour and create the illusion that instead of being embedded into a leather or metal sheet, the metal panels would be floating. 

The straw bucket hat refernces the old Pagan tradition of the Wren Boys and their elaborate straw costumes still worn today.