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Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
Danielle Scearce
Sotto Voce ‘ ©2011 All rights reserved
Table of Contents Sotto Vocè Cantabile Nocturne Jusq’ á la fin Lourdement Candeza En dohors Zither Grazioso Azzes fort Azzes doux Rèsumè Bibliothèque Statement of Purpose Fin
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
Why I design When I was small I would play dress-up like any other girl. My best friend and I would clad ourselves in dresses, feathers ,and gloves then act out scenes from movies and television that had graced our young minds. From tea parties to pirates, we always found a way to let imagination take us to a place where there was no worry. Our own personal Neverland. As I grew older, and we grew apart, that element of fantasy and wonder has remained. Movies and books have been a key part in developing my imagination, but also paper and pen. Writing down the vast world in which I view through imaginative eyes is not an easy task. At one point or another I began to feel unfulfilled by just the words. At this point I tried to find a way to bring my creations to life. I have gone through any and all methods of creation until I found one just right. Pencil, paper, paint, ink; all I have tried. Even though they do allow others to see what you see, they can only view a window into my imagination that can not get any closer then as close as I have drawn the image to be. To make real and tangible is my motive. To bring to life some thing that would otherwise only be words or ink on paper. Coming to the costuming arts was not a decision, it was a calling. As I said, fantasy has always been an important part of my life. When I was young my father and mother would take me to the local fantasy and science fiction convention each year. As time went on, and I saw all the amazing artists who had produced wonderful works of wearable art, I wanted to know how to make these costumes for myself. For a long time I had no clue where to get started. I had told my mother numerous times that I wanted to learn how to sew, but she also did not have a clue where to go. Not until just a few years ago did I find where it was that I was destined to learn these valuable skills. When I started I did not know anything about a sewing machine. As time moved along I picked up the pace and, learning quickly, started drafting my own designs from scratch. I have been attending an extracurricular design school for students for three years. With each experience gained I can feel closer to my work. I can tell by the way the projects just come together naturally with ease how well I am doing, and how my skill has grown. It really is exciting to see the finished product. What was once just fabric and thread is now made into living, breathing, artwork. It is almost like the birth of a child. Love and care goes into every stitch used to create. The more delicate you are, the more love you put into each piece of fabric, the more magnificent and amazing the art will be.
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Cantabile Description: The inspiration for this came from The Lord of the Rings. I saw how they made simple capes become part of a character’s personality and wanted to get the same effect for myself. Though I don’t get to wear it out as much as I would have liked to, I loved the feel of the fabric from the inside, and the way it drapes around me doesn’t make it seem quite as heavy as it really is. This is one of the first pieces that I have made. It is made from crushed panne velvet with polyester lining in the hood. There is a double stitched ring in the hood for the draw string, which I decided to take out after some styling. The collar is held together by a hook and eye. The pattern for this actually had the collar piece for an unhooded version of the cape, but I wanted both. This is my first piece where I altered the pattern. This was also the first stretchy fabric that I had worked with. It is thick and heavy and stretched out easily. The unfrayed edge gives it a much more subtle “I’m not from around here” look that I was going for. So even though it was very hard to do, it came out exactly the way I wanted it to.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Nocturne Description: For this piece what I really wanted to highlight was the Asian patterned fabric. I was so inspired by its design that I wanted something that would show it off as well as look good on my body. I believe that I succeeded in achieving those things as well as giving it an air of uniqueness. This dress was made to be worn at the Ebony Fashion Fair. I was sponsored to go along with my sewing class. We had a wonderful time and the event lead to other connections for my group. This is currently one of my few non-costume pieces. It is a simple black crape back satin dress with red beading and Asian embroidered brocade shawl. There is also a layer of tuling at the bottom of the dress which is not pictured here. This dress was the project in which I first made a french seam, which can be seen on the center back seam of the shawl. It was also my first time using tulle in a dress, as well as the first hand beading that I have done.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Jusq’ á la fin
Description:
Like some courageous Victorians tired to imitate far Eastern style, I want to try and capture the feel of a Eastern inspired Victorian piece. Deep red iridescent taffeta and lace is what makes it feel Victorian. The front latch and drape of the piece makes it feel Eastern. That is what I love about this and what makes it one of my favorite pieces. Not only does it look good, it feels good. Though it may look heavy it is actually very light, even with it’s lining and lace. It is also made to fit into the Victorian, Lolita, and Steam Punk style of clothing that I love so much. What first inspired me was the color of the fabric, then the design came afterward. I loved the way that the fabric shined and flowed when under just the right conditions, and so it just naturally became a cape.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Description:
Lourdement
This dress was created for the sole purpose of furthering my skills in draping. After choosing crape back satin to work with, and a design where I had quite a bit of freedom, I spent the long hours in the hot Atlanta heat trying my hardest to make something beautiful out of fabric and thread. It was my first time I had worked with boning and corset pattern, so the corseted bodice on the inside was a challenge for me. I ended up loving doing it so much though, that I continued doing corseted pieces~ as will be seen. The drape was altered several times, and I really like the way it ended out. It makes me feel like I have wings on my back. Though originally Greek inspired later on I was informed that it had a striking similarly to a dress that was created for the character Padme from Star Wars. I did not know that, but now that I do I like this dress even more.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Candenza Description: The inspiration for this dress came from seeing a fellow cosplayer in a similar dress and wanting one for myself. I also very much liked making the corset bodice of this dress. It was so much fun figuring out how the fabric pieces would come together in the way I wanted and how to get that perfect connection of the fabric. This dress is often thought to be a prom dress, or a wedding dress, but it is in fact neither. It is my creation, a dress too complex for any occasion, yet so simple it could be worn to every occasion. It is somewhat of a costume, but I see similar designs being used everyday for more luxurious dresses. This dress is made from almost eight yards of thick off white crape back satin. In the sleeveless bodice there are eight strips of plastic boning and loop along the center back for a corseted design. The bodice connects to the shirt of the dress in a gathered seam along the edge of the bodice that drops down in the center front for a v shape. Under the dress is a hooped crinoline that is altered to have bells along the bottom most hoop. For embellishment there are eleven gold colored buttons along the princess seams, as well as white cotton wedding lace along to dresses hem. There is also a separate piece of fabric that is made to be a shawl for the dress.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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En dohors Description: I always have wanted to make a coat that was heavy and that I could really feel on my back. What you see here is that coat. Altered design from a French Restoration (1815ad-1830ad France) inspired pattern, this dress with matching coat was made to fit into my whimsically themed closet. I really like the dark brick color of the cotton velveteen. This was the first time that I had to gather, or ease stitch, the shoulder of the sleeves to fit the shoulder of the bodice. It was a challenge, but in the end I got it. I also had to make fabric buttons for this dress. It added yet another item to my list of things I need to sew; a hammer. I first wore this for the winter fashion show of 2008. While I was there I had every many compliments, but one stood out over others. One of the girls relatives was a master tailor. He came up to me and personally congratulated me for my work. He could tell how much work I had done just by looking at the seams of the piece. It was very empowering to know that even among adults I showed skill in what I loved.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Zither Description: This dress was created out of a longing to be a part of the Victorian inspired fashion movement called ‘Steam Punk.’ As you can see from the design of this portfolio I have been very inspired by the cog and clock work innovation of the Steam Punk style. This dress is considered to be this style as well. It is a pinstriped ‘male’ fabric that has been changed into a feminine dress that not only is shortened for easier workability but also comfort. What you see is a gray and black pinstriped polyester knee level dress with alternate design 3/4th length embroidered cotton sleeves. You also see bronze and black printed cotton fabric in a floral pattern that has been fashioned into a sleeveless over breasted corset with sixteen plastic bones, silver colored metal eyelets and black polyester interfacing. What you do not see is the knee length cream died tulle crinoline under the dress and how the corset is designed in such a way that if you leave the last two or three tows of eyelets unlaced that it gives the dress a bustle effect to the back.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Grazioso Description: The 1950s’ in my mind stands out as a time that was more frilly and lacey yet sporty and modern all at the same time then any other fashion period in history. The time where the crinoline came back into style and created outstanding new style silhouettes. This dress is altered from a 1950s’ vintage pattern. It is white wedding material with a feather design and shear organza that embellishes the dress. There is a drape shawl made of the same white shear organza that is connected to the dress. At the end there are faux feathers sewn into the shawl and the seam is finished with lace. You can not see that the seams on princess seams of the front and the back of the dress are embellished with white thread.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Description:
Assez fort
What you see here is a German medieval inspired design. There are four different fabrics used on this dress. The dark purple faux suede used under embroidered shear organza is used for the main body of the design. The collar and upper sleeves are made with Asian embroidered floral and paisley brocade and the sleeve is draped out of black shear organza. I was first inspired by the brocade material, which is so lovely, and wanted to make it into something just as beautiful to compliment the pattern of the fabric. The pattern is a compilation of several different costume patterns. It came together rather well. Whatis unseen is that the sleeve of this piece is gathered with a black and gold cord. I also used this design in aid for the design of the next piece.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Description:
Assez doux
This is the first piece I have done for a little girl. It ended up being perfect as a show stopper at the winter ‘09 fashion show. It was a challenge given to me by my sewing teacher. In my class we were all given “little sisters” whom we had to create a dress for. It was my idea to make a matching dress for my “little sister.” Going after the little princess look I created this with the same fabrics used for Assez fort. This dress is also mostly hand sewn. Because of this fact this dress was a challenge to bring together but it was so fun to make.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
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Danielle Scearce Portfolio: http://www.imgfxdesign.com/danielle Resume: http://www.imgfxdesign.com/danielles/index.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Education South Cobb High School: Class of 2010 Orchestra (cello): 2004-2010 Year Book: 2009-2010 World Literature Honors American Literature Honors College Level World History College Level Psychology
Savannah College of Art & Design Summer Seminar 2009, Fashion Sketching & Production Design
University of West Georgia Theater Major: Art Minor
Vocational Training Sew Creative Instructor: Vennise Johnson August 2007-May 2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------------Goals Graduate high school Graduate design school Become a Costume Designer
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Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
Personal Accomplishments Fashion Line: Sotto Voce GreyMotif online designer store New York Fashion Trip 2008 New York Fashion Trip 2009
Fashion Shows showing my designs A Season To Sew: Dec 9, 2007 A Season to Sew: May 4, 2008 A Season to Sew:Dec 7, 2008 A Seaon to Sew: May 3, 2009 A Season to Sew: Dec 6, 2009 Creative Storm: May 2, 2010
Public Service Zoey Simone Fashion Show Cobb County JD Fashion Show: March 14, 2009 Cobb County JD Fashion Show: Dec 21, 2009 Theater Production: Aladin Jr. A Season to Sew: Dec 5, 2010: Stagehand
Foreign Language French: 2 years Japanese: 1 year
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Experience Theater Productions MusicMan Jr. Pass It Down A Christmas Carol Peter Pan Remember This! Theater Production: Aladin Jr. Rent These Shining Lives Theatrical intern - South Cobb Arts Alliance- Summer ‘09 through Spring ‘10
Wardrobe MusicMan Jr. - Clarkdale Elementry School Remember This! Dance Concert at North Atlanta High School Rent- University of West Georgia These Shining Lives - University of West Georgia Peter Pan- South Cobb Arts Alliance Aladin Jr. - South Cobb Arts Alliance
Stagehand Pass It Down at Marietta Square Strand Theater A Christmas Carol: South Cobb High School Production stagehand, props, wardrobe, sound effects
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Leadership Sewing class mentor to younger students School Club officer positions Asian Culture Club: President 2009-2010 Asian Culture Club: Web Master 2008-2009 Graphic Arts Club: Secretary 2009-2010
Clubs & Associations School Clubs Asian Culture Club Graphic Arts Club Art Club ASCA
Exrtracurricular Steampunk Meetup Atlanta Anime Weekend Atlanta 2004-2010 MomoCon 2005-2010 DragonCon 2004-2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Interests Theater Production Design Fashion Visual Communications Foreign Cultures Music History
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------References provided upon request
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Bibliothèque Sotto Voce
“We telegraphed a few signals and then commenced, soto voce, a brisk tete-atete.” Edgar Allen Poe The Man That was Used Up (1850) Sot·to Vo·ce (sōt’ tō vō chĕ) To express a low, under toned, soft voice so not to be heard. Used in music a well as literature. Cantabile Italian. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of composition. Nocturne Latin. A Musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations. Jusq’ á la fin French. Until the end. Lourdement French. Heavily; ponderouly Cadenza Italian. Initially an improvised sequence of chords that brought and end to a phrase in any part of the piece, later became an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto. Normally featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
En dehors French. Prominent. Zither Latin. A family or string instruments with a sound box over which strings are stretch; they my be plucked or bowed. Zithers appear in many shapes and are common in traditional music throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. Grazioso Italian. A word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully Assez fort French. Moderately loud. (mf) Assez doux French. Moderately quiet. (mp) Steam Punk An artistic genre. Incorporates Victorian era clothing, mechanics, and style with foreign and futuristic elements. Cog and Clock work is a part of this genre. Cosplay From the Japanese abbreviation of the English words “Costume” and “Play”. The art form of creating the costume of ones’ favorite animated character.
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Statement of Purpose My dream is to become part of a creative profession that contributes to the understanding of the human condition. My approach will be through the use of storytelling using theater, screen and video. It is my dream that I can in some manner through the execution of my craft, skill, creativity and knowledge inspire others to form a clearer understanding of their fellow man. In support of my dream, I have undertaken the task of gaining experience in areas of craft that support my career goals. These include working as costume designer for stage productions, learning the craft of sewing and developing advanced execution skills, and backstage production and direction for commercial stage in my local community. An understanding of oneself in the creative fields is essential. I am a creative, industrious innovator who contemplates the application of the craft of costuming. It is my goal to use these core values during my design education to further my career in costuming for production design. In order to obtain the career I seek in production design with a focus on stage and screen costuming and stage direction, it is important to obtain a knowledge of industry arts through education at a leading design school with focus on stage, screen and broadcast production facilities. I appreciate your kind consideration of my work to date, and welcome feedback relating to my future career goals. It is my hope to realize my dreams through hard work and application of skills at a collegiate level.
Danielle Scearce Design Portfolio
‘ Sotto Voce
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