Forest Butterfly Coat
The Butterfly has been a symbol of metamorphosis for eons. It is seen as the
life cycle: birth, life, death and transformation.
For some Native Americans, the butterfly is believed to bring good dreams. In
the Greek legend of Psyche, she is the personification of the human soul and was
frequently presented in art as a maiden with butterfly wings, or simply as a
butterfly. In Christianity, the butterfly represents the cycle of life: first
the caterpillar, or life on this earth; then the chrysalis or cocoon, death
before the soul reaches its goal; then finally, the beautiful butterfly emerging
in her unfurling glory as the resurrection.
There are physical transformations and psychological or emotional
transformations that occur throughout a human being’s lifetime. For some of us,
growing from innocence into “civilized” adulthood can cause yet another
transformation: the break-out or rebellion of the cocoon of society. It is the
urge to transform ourselves into a clear, innocent being once again. The
butterfly emerges from the chrysalis changed and free. She asks us to accept the
inevitable changes in our own lives as gracefully as she does.
Inspired by the wings of a butterfly that have been expanded and abstracted,
this hand-painted evening coat is reminiscent of an impressionist's painting of
filtered light through a forest canopy. A butterfly’s wings blend into the
dappled light and become one with the forest. This dolman sleeved coat is made
from heavy silk tissue crepe, lined with eggplant silk charmeuse. It is further
embellished with silk piping, braid and beads.
Shown with the coat is a shibori hand pleated dress by Justine
Limpus Parish.
Designer: Randi Hillesø
Photography: Lise Metzger
life cycle: birth, life, death and transformation.
For some Native Americans, the butterfly is believed to bring good dreams. In
the Greek legend of Psyche, she is the personification of the human soul and was
frequently presented in art as a maiden with butterfly wings, or simply as a
butterfly. In Christianity, the butterfly represents the cycle of life: first
the caterpillar, or life on this earth; then the chrysalis or cocoon, death
before the soul reaches its goal; then finally, the beautiful butterfly emerging
in her unfurling glory as the resurrection.
There are physical transformations and psychological or emotional
transformations that occur throughout a human being’s lifetime. For some of us,
growing from innocence into “civilized” adulthood can cause yet another
transformation: the break-out or rebellion of the cocoon of society. It is the
urge to transform ourselves into a clear, innocent being once again. The
butterfly emerges from the chrysalis changed and free. She asks us to accept the
inevitable changes in our own lives as gracefully as she does.
Inspired by the wings of a butterfly that have been expanded and abstracted,
this hand-painted evening coat is reminiscent of an impressionist's painting of
filtered light through a forest canopy. A butterfly’s wings blend into the
dappled light and become one with the forest. This dolman sleeved coat is made
from heavy silk tissue crepe, lined with eggplant silk charmeuse. It is further
embellished with silk piping, braid and beads.
Shown with the coat is a shibori hand pleated dress by Justine
Limpus Parish.
Designer: Randi Hillesø
Photography: Lise Metzger