Pomp & Circumstance

These two costumes represent the Noël Coward’s Duchess Eloise Fowey and Bunny Colville from his only novel ”Pomp and Circumstance”. The novel is originally set in a fictitious south pacific British colony, however, changing the geographic location to a fictitious Scottish Isle, allowed me to develop costumes that were not restricted by appropriate wear for exotic temperatures. Bunny Colville is of no title but is a landowner and upper-class; He is described as handsome, charming and cunning. The latter descriptions are shown in Campbell tartan trousers, suggesting the Scottish saying “never trust a Campbell”. The prominent green within the tartan, is also associated with dishonesty. The twill of the jacket matches the twill wool weave of the tartan. The jacket was made using traditional tailoring techniques - the hair interfacing was completely hand sewn in. Fowey is a socialite, known for her beauty and elegance; Her character is the epitome of hyperfemininity. This is explored with her era appropriate wasp waist, and in the softness of the silk tulle. The structure of the dress is achieved through corseting and a large tulle petticoat. The corset was made with a strong cotton twill and metal boning. The petticoat, totalled 150 meters of a mixture of polyamide and silks tulles. The colour choice of the dress is quintessentially 1950s for a modern audience, it might remind them of Grace Kelly’s black and white wasp waisted dress.