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Earth Day
Left: Winner I Ella Kearvell
Costume for Change | Adele Keeley
Clockwise below: Finalist I Helena Green, Finalist | Ruby Enticknap,
Instagram: @costumeaub
Finalist | Benedicte Olsson Lønes,
#aubcostumeforchangecomp
Finalist | Camille Bourasseau
In association with AUB Human, students from
and ideas, as well as the messages behind the
The learning opportunities for all ages are endless.
choices and the sustainable approaches they
interest in nature and the environment, be it habitats,
the BA (Hons) Costume, BA (Hons) Performance
designs. They were also asked to summarise fabric
and Performance Design had the opportunity to
would take to realise the costume. These were
pollination, climate or sustainability. Ella told us why
comprised of, Mary Oliver (Dean of Faculty of
been interested in the natural world and eco-friendly
Design and Film Costume and BA (Hons) Costume
be part of an incredibly exciting competition, —
then judged by a second round of judges which
Students were asked to design a costume
Media and Performance), Natalie Carr (AUB Human
‘Costume for Change’.
that addresses issues of climate change and the
This costume has the potential to capture a lifelong
she took part in ‘Costume for Change’: ‘I have always
art. More recently, the devastating effects of the
Representative), James Jackson (AUB Environment
fashion industry has been brought to light, and it’s
gateway that encourages proactive care for the
Theatre, Performer, director and activist) and Tom
across all art forms and in our everyday lives.’
the coming months and sponsored by the Jean
This exhibition showcases the five finalists and
Norwegian student currently in her third year
imagery that went into developing ‘Costume for
by the human impact on the environment, nature
environment, requiring them to create a visual
natural world. Realised by costume students in
Group representative), Lorna Rees (Goobledegook Clarke (National Trust Studland).
Hunnisett Fund, the winning design will be used as a
the creative thinking, problem solving and dynamic
more sustainable practices. The designers were also
Change’. The overall winner of the competition was
symbol of the courses’ intentions to move towards
asked to consider how the costumes would be made
and what impact they’d have on the environment
when realised. They were asked to consider recycled, sustainable or eco fabric and materials.
An amazing selection of designs were entered
more important than ever to encourage sustainability Finalist Benedicte Olsson Lønes is a vegan,
studying costume design. Her costume is inspired
and wildlife. She designed a maximalist costume,
Ella Kearvell. Judge Lorna Rees commented: ‘I can
with each component in the costume symbolising
the character! I think it’s a beautiful, clear idea about
is made from pineapple leather, representing
completely imagine wearing this dress and being
connecting our next generation to nature. It’s very
a different aspect of the climate crisis. The jacket
oil spills, while the flames represent the rising
well realised’.
temperatures on our planet. The red wellies are a
forest fires, deforestation and the impact of the
Costume and Performance Design course, designed
levels rise. The gas mask and body covering suit
Fretwell (alumni and costume illustrator,) Dr Anjana
It was inspired by a child’s ‘Welly-walk’, an exciting
and Anita Bagdi (Climate Illustrator), shortlisted
materials to their wellies and see what is picked up
with a variety of themes, including climate change, fashion
industry.
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judges,
Sophie
Khatwa (Engagement Lead, Wessex Museums) five finalists, which all feature in a online exhibition.
Ella Kearvell, a Level 5 student on the BA (Hons)
her costume to be an interactive, educational piece. nature walk in which children can attach sticky
as they walk through meadows and forests. The
Instagram judge Anita Badgi commented: ‘It’s just
cape of the costume represents the forests and the
in their designs.’
wool. The dress takes its shape from a beehive and
incredible what the students express and explain
The five finalists were then tasked with submitting
more detailed information outlining their concepts
mushroom fungi, made from a piece of wet felted
the shape of the honeycomb, which doubles as
pockets for collecting seeds and nature treasures.
symbol of humanity keeping our feet dry while sea
is to keep us safe from viruses, toxins and gases.
The flowers blooming from the costume symbolise
“
the hope we have and nature’s strength to take
I believe that in order to enact change we need to capture the interest of the next generation. Ella Kearvell, student
back what we have destroyed. Benedicte states:
created as a statement piece to raise awareness
sustainable and to do something about climate
planet. She focused her design on water pollution
Victorian/early Edwardian period. The costume
as well as the accumulation of unwanted garment
embedded ramie which will one day biodegrade,
Finalist Ruby Enticknap is in her third year,
The project was conceived and facilitated by
‘I believe we all have a responsibility to be more
about the impact of the textile industry on the
biodegradable fabric and is inspired by naturalist
and environmental painter Edith Holder from late
change. I wanted to shine a light on climate
caused by chemical dyes and fabric treatment,
my art, to understand how much our choices are
ending up in landfills.
more climate-friendly choices do exist in our
studying Costume Design for Theatre and Film.
Senior Lecturer Adele Keeley, who told us, ‘This
choices can contribute to climate change. It
humanising issues of climate change by placing
change, to help and encourage others through
affecting our planet and that sustainable and
has a historical silhouette and is made from seed letting the seeds turn into wild flowers.
day-to-day lives.’
Ruby’s design focusses on how our transport
commented: ‘It instils fear but remains beautiful.
highlights aeroplanes as one of the largest causes
them on the body can help us make sense of the
cycling garments and a helmet represent the earth
this connection, it encourages positive action
choice more in harmony with the natural world.
only designed costumes that deal with practical
Judge and AUB Human rep Natalie Carr
I could imagine this costume appearing on stage
of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, while
This could be any of us with the face concealed. I
and environment, showing cycling as a positive
and understanding instantly what it was about. love the hint at nature taking it back through the
flowers, softening the overall aesthetic.’
Finalist Camille Bourasseau is a Level 6 Costume
Design student from France. Her design was
Finalist Helena Green is a Level 5 Costume and
Performance Design student who is specialising in Design. Helena’s submission is made from
subject is close to my heart. I believe that by
world around us and connect to nature. Through
to look after the planet. The students have not solutions but have created powerful imagery to help
communicate these important topics’.
aub.ac.uk/aub-human
