Madame Olenska (2025)
"The Age of Innocence"
BA Graduate Project 2025
"The Age of Innocence" - inspired by the 1993 film adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel. Set in the early 1870s upper-class New York, tells the story of Newland Archer, a young lawyer caught in a love triangle with his fiancée May Welland and her unconventional cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. The film explores the conflict between personal desire and societal duty in a world of strict expectations and appearances. Through research, costume and character design, I constructed an 1870s evening gown for Countess Olenska complete with period-accurate undergarments such as a bustle, corset and petticoat which create the beautiful silhouette of this period.
Sketchbook work at the end
Photos above: Beatrice Hurmuzache
The Design Process for Ellen
This design board shows the research and design development for Ellen Olenska’s summer dresses in the Newport scenes.
This design board shows the research and development of Ellen Olenska’s dinner party dress for the Van der Luydens’ grand dinner party.
Final line-up of all key characters for the dinner party scene are The Van Der Ludyen's New York mansion. (Sketchbook work at end)
Dress Toiles
The following photographs show the dress toiles I made for Ellen Olenska’s dinner party dress. I created several toiles in order to perfect the fit and shape of the garment on my model. Due to the off-the-shoulder neckline design, the dress required careful draping to ensure it was well balanced and sat comfortably and elegantly against the body.
The Fabrication Process
Final Garment Photos
Photography: Sarah Lordan | Model: Regina Zagoni
The following photographs present the final garment for my project depicting Ellen Olenska in her dinner party dress. The studio photoshoot captures the full silhouette of the costume and highlights the intricate construction details, fabric choices, and decorative elements that bring the design to life.
Its all in the details:
Character Illustration
To the left is the final character illustration of Ellen in her dinner party gown, designed to highlight both structure and elegance through fabric choice. The fashion of the 1870s, and the selection of materials plays a key role in communicating her status in society. The gown is constructed from rich blue taffeta, a fabric known for its crisp structure and subtle sheen, allowing the silhouette to hold its dramatic, sculpted form. Navy blue lace trim adds a layer of delicate intricacy, softening the look while signaling refinement and wealth through its detailed craftsmanship. Together, these fabrics not only reflect the historical period but also emphasize Ellen’s elevated social standing and the formality of the occasion.
Working drawings for the dress
Sketchbook Work
This sketchbook work for "The Age of Innocence" documents the design process for all key characters, incorporating in-depth historical research, design development, and exploration of fabrics and fabric manipulation techniques. The 1870s in New York was a significant period for fashion and silhouette, characterised by rich fabric culture and distinctive forms. I explored this period of American history in depth in order to design and create costumes that visually represent each character.
