The Time Machine

After reading H.G. Wells' novel The Time Machine I designed and created a costume for the character Weena as part of my second year university module. Following the given brief, my costume had to include a biker jacket, incorporating elements of corsetry as well as using sustainable materials, complete with an undergarment. For the outer jacket I used faux leather which was donated to the university as well recycled rubbish such as bottle caps, orange packaging and old fabric scraps to create surface decoration. These recycled materials not only highlighted the sustainable element of this project but also reflected the character and narrative of the story having travelled thousands of years into the future where today's plastic may still be present.

 

To create my initial designs, I used quotations from the book which described my character such as 'girdled at the waist with a leather belt' and 'clad in a purple tunic' which helped inspire my colour palette and design elements. My final costume used panelling and boning in the jacket to enforce the corsetry elements as well as an exposed zip and belt fastening, epaulets and a collar and lapel to highlight the biker jacket elements.