Mollusk Maiden
Threads Magazine Challenge Finalist 2005.
She emerges from the Shell Dwellers,
born between the sea and the land, released by the Raven into the world of
humans.
By the light of the full moon, the sea shimmered. Raven roosted snuggly
in his nest overlooking the waves. He was satisfied with his recent work
releasing Light from the Creator, throwing it up into the sky creating the Moon
and the Stars.
By the morning Sun, Raven was itching for adventure. He flew along the
shore, seeing all of the newly illuminated rocks, waves, and sea creatures.
Suddenly, he spied a very large clam shell on the beach. From its edges he saw
what looked like feelers wriggling about.
Curious, he flew closer. The “feelers” were interesting and not like any
creature he knew. Being insatiably curious, he lifted the top of the clam shell.
Out emerged the first humans to inhabit the land. The “feelers” were their arms
and legs. In the center of many humans, was a beautiful creature. Raven drew
even closer. Rising from the center of the open shell was Mollusk Maiden, the
Goddess of the Shell Dwellers.
Caught somewhere between the 18th Century and Evening Theatre, Mollusk Maiden
emerges from the sea in a boned silk bustier complete with a stomacher bejeweled
in oyster and snail shells, embellished with pearls.
The shimmering “Sea” is represented by 2 layers of hand painted silk chiffon
in a shrug and sarong floating over the bustier and matching silk pants.
Her throat is embellished with a string of pearls with other gems of the sea
- a snail, an oyster and barnacle. She is crowned with a cap of driftwood,
mussel shells and pearls.
Inspired by 18th Century “stays”, or corseted bodices with ornate embroidered
or jeweled stomachers, this version is structured but comfortable. The gray
“sand” silk on both the bustier and pants is Chinese shantung. The bustier is
trimmed and lined in purple silk charmeuse.
Designer: Randi Hillesø
Photography: Davis Freeman
She emerges from the Shell Dwellers,
born between the sea and the land, released by the Raven into the world of
humans.
By the light of the full moon, the sea shimmered. Raven roosted snuggly
in his nest overlooking the waves. He was satisfied with his recent work
releasing Light from the Creator, throwing it up into the sky creating the Moon
and the Stars.
By the morning Sun, Raven was itching for adventure. He flew along the
shore, seeing all of the newly illuminated rocks, waves, and sea creatures.
Suddenly, he spied a very large clam shell on the beach. From its edges he saw
what looked like feelers wriggling about.
Curious, he flew closer. The “feelers” were interesting and not like any
creature he knew. Being insatiably curious, he lifted the top of the clam shell.
Out emerged the first humans to inhabit the land. The “feelers” were their arms
and legs. In the center of many humans, was a beautiful creature. Raven drew
even closer. Rising from the center of the open shell was Mollusk Maiden, the
Goddess of the Shell Dwellers.
Caught somewhere between the 18th Century and Evening Theatre, Mollusk Maiden
emerges from the sea in a boned silk bustier complete with a stomacher bejeweled
in oyster and snail shells, embellished with pearls.
The shimmering “Sea” is represented by 2 layers of hand painted silk chiffon
in a shrug and sarong floating over the bustier and matching silk pants.
Her throat is embellished with a string of pearls with other gems of the sea
- a snail, an oyster and barnacle. She is crowned with a cap of driftwood,
mussel shells and pearls.
Inspired by 18th Century “stays”, or corseted bodices with ornate embroidered
or jeweled stomachers, this version is structured but comfortable. The gray
“sand” silk on both the bustier and pants is Chinese shantung. The bustier is
trimmed and lined in purple silk charmeuse.
Designer: Randi Hillesø
Photography: Davis Freeman