This year’s Halloween costume started as a £5 find on Vinted: a green and black gothic dress with lace-up details and gorgeous green brocade. The problem? It wasn’t a good fit for a tall figure like mine (I’m 5ft 11in). So instead of putting up with it, I took it apart and rebuilt it.
Upcycling is at the heart of what I do. Second-hand clothes already exist, and with a bit of unpicking and imagination they can become something completely new. Here’s how it came together, in four parts.
Part 1: The £5 Find
Laying out the dress, working out what’s wrong with the fit, and starting with the unpicking.
Part 2: Rebuilding It
Back at the sewing machine, reworking the green brocade and black satin into a new shape.
Part 3: Coming Together
Bringing in the white skirt, fitting it all on the mannequin, and it’s finally coming together. The skirt is an upcycled wedding dress, layered with leftover fabric and tulle saved from my previous wedding dress upcycles, so nothing goes to waste.
Part 4: The Finished Look
The finished gown made its debut as my vampire queen look at our Creative Connections gothic Halloween shoot. See the photos from Stanley Park.
Got a Piece to Rework?
If you’ve got a piece you love that doesn’t fit right, I can rework it for you too: get in touch about a commission.
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