This project was part of a 12-week studio collaboration, culminating in a fully designed piece for submission to the World of WearableArt (WOW).

The Project

Created in partnership with my studio partner, Amanda Brayham, See An Enemy explores a post-human oceanic realm, where mutated sea flora have adapted to survive in a toxic, predator-filled environment.

The concept envisions a sentient colony of evolved marine life, cloaked in vivid colours and shifting forms that act as both camouflage and lure. At its centre is a powerful queen, nourished by her hunters, creatures disguised in hypnotic beauty, using illusion as both defense and weapon. The piece combines structural complexity with theatrical movement, evoking an otherworldly predator gliding through the depths.

Vibrant, electric, and menacingly elegant, See An Enemy seduces and deceives, turning survival into spectacle and reminding us of the unseen consequences of environmental degradation.

The garment was constructed using a combination of textured show curtain, iridescent illuminance wigs, structured wiring, and lightweight aluminum framing to create fluid movement and sculptural form. A modified helmet served as the foundation for the headpiece, anchoring the upper structure securely and allowed the model to move as a sea creature on stage. Throughout the design process, we conducted multiple rounds of testing; assessing durability, weight distribution, visibility, and how each material performed in motion under stage lighting. Experimentation with textured and reflective surfaces helped enhance the illusion of bioluminescence and underwater shimmer, crucial for the visual storytelling of the piece.