Tilly Jones III

The Maestro (a music teacher) from Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus by Tilly Jones as part of her graduate show for Performance Costume at ECA, with an incredible shimmering sequined beard.

“Hair down to his bum and mixed in with the beard that reached his navel” A sad tale of deception and sorrow, a young man moves to Siberia having been promised his own music school having been given. 

Upon arrival a ramshackle hut and a very small selection of potential students meet him. A cruel sentence for a talented man, unfortunately he rots away for decades until a cast of dysfunctional circus acts bombards his small world. By this time he is wizened and disheveled with his only prize possession being his grand piano but even that is out of tune.  

I have chosen to depict his aging with a veil embellished with a full beard. This also represents his detachment from society as his face is blurred almost out of anonymity." Tilly Jones 

Tilly Jones II

"I have designed for an immersive theatrical portrayal of Angela Carters Nights at the Circus. Set in the during the 'Golden Age of the Circus’, Carter’s evocative characters provide an elaborate story. Introducing Fevver’s is the winged star and Maestro, exiled to Siberia upon the promise of a music school.
My interpretation conveys distressed costumes while drawing upon elements of magical realism. Embellished textiles recreate the hand crafted feel of circus costumes and enhance authenticity, as if they have been created backstage of a touring circus." Tilly Jones

Tilly had as her model the vivacious Georgia Nobel, a larger than life character to match a larger than life costume. With wings encrusted with Jay wings, feathers and jewels and a peacock feather fringed bodice.

Tilly Jones I

This is Tilly Jones's 'Princess Pirlipat' from The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, from her graduate collection for performance costume at ECA. A coat made of a patchwork of faux fur in pinks and reds, embellished with applique lucky cat emblems with beautiful decorated and beaded, padded heart buttons.

"My concept incorporates influences from the 1950s, commercialization and Japan. The colour scheme is vivacious in order to convey opulence. Textiles utilise plastic, fur and embellishment aiming to present a comedic visual response." Tilly Jones