Helana Cook

Tracing Threads of Self: A Personal Narrative Through Costume and Craft

My project explored how clothing can act as a narrative artifact, holding memory, identity, and emotional resonance. The brief allowed for open thematic direction, and I chose to develop a collection rooted in nostalgia and imaginative escapism, drawn from childhood experiences exploring Aotearoa’s landscapes and the cinematic worlds of The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and The Hobbit. I considered how garments could evoke this sense of wonder while remaining wearable and grounded in real emotional experience.

The main design idea was to balance strength and delicacy. I achieved this through structural garment engineering - using diagonal paneling in calico to shape silhouette - and through silk organza, embroidery, and hand-formed copper wirework to create softness, translucency, and surface narrative. These techniques allowed memory to be expressed both in form and detail.

This project strengthened my understanding of material behaviour and affirmed my interest in costume for film. It offered a way of working where garments do more than clothe; they invite reflection, connection, and storytelling.