TALLULA DAVIS
I have a lifelong passion for the kitsch, glam and the beautifully bizarre paired with a deep appreciation for everything that sparkles. I merge worlds effortlessly, and deliver conceptual pieces that challenge current notions of vintage, modern, fast fashion, high end, exclusivity, mass production, attainability, and timeless classics.
I have a love for the performing arts, in particular circus, burlesque, sideshow and showgirl but also am drawn to film, theatre and dance.
My taste is eclectic and far ranging. I draw inspiration from folklore tales such as selkies and mermaids; from beetles, bugs and moths to sunflowers, sunshine, water and cats.
I am inspired by fashion; from Gucci, Schiapirreli and Giambattista Valli to Vivienne Westwood, Discount Universe and Edgeley to Adidas.
Prince, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Miss Piggy, Frida Kahlo and The Spice Girls have all been major inspirations, as have drag queens. Some influential films include: Natural Born Killers, Pulp Fiction, The Shining, The Addams Family, The Corpse Bride, Clueless and The Royal Tenenbaums.
My previous studies include a Certificate IV in Clothing Production (2018) which included: pattern making, garment construction and embellishment techniques. I also have completed courses in lingerie and swimwear, millinery, tambour beading and French flower making. Informally I have pursued a range of personal projects including festival wear, personalised embellishments and bespoke garments ranging from casual to couture. I have worked hard to achieve a reputation for the successful creation and delivery of bespoke pieces, and I have created a number of one of a kind custom designed outfits by commission.
FOLIO
Below is a selection of my work
SUNFLOWERS
2018
I have an affinity with sunflowers, they're some of my favourite flowers and this 🌻 is my most used emoji so arriving covered in the flower came as no surprise to my friends. This was inspired by seeing the giant flowers for sale on Smith St, I sourced the smaller flowers after. It was made for the parade at The Broken Heel Festival 2018.
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I made the base with buckram, covered it in fabric and flowers and finished it with lining and head attachments. I also whipped up a bright yellow skirt and camisole.
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WILD DOG JACKET EMBELLISHMENT
2021
I was commissioned to create this one of a kind piece on the back of an existing denim jacket. The client was included at every stage of the design process.
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We chose an image that we both liked, I altered it slightly to suit being sequinned, then created patterns for each colour section and transferred these to the jacket.
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The colour of the sequins dramatically influences the design outcome but the seed beads and thread are also of particular importance as they can change the colours dramatically.
For bold and sharp outlines I use a row of seed beads. Using a variety of sequins within the borders helps to create depth and texture.
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NANCY
2018
This is the couture gown made in the final year of my Clothing Production course.
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I wanted a romantic and elegant dress with a classic fifties ball gown shape, ballerina length and powder pink colour.
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The bodice base is made from shapewell, reenforced with plastic boning with heavily ruched silk fabric on top. Getting the exact shape of the halter neck was important to me and took several adjustments. The skirt has double pleats around the entire waist and hidden pockets.
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I especially enjoyed creating the belt. I used a combination of tambour beading and individually placed beads.
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BUG HAT
2018
Melbourne Fashion Institute hosted a french flower making workshop. Silk is treated with a glue solution. For the roses each petal is cut using patterns then moulded to shape using heat before being arranged in a spiral and glued together. The daises are assembled onto buttons I had covered and the small flowers are attached to millinery stamens. The bug is tambour beaded. The base is made from buckram covered in padding and yellow silk.
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CIRCUS PERFORMANCE COUTURE
2018
This was made for a performance couture assessment. I drew inspiration from vintage circus costumes.
The under arm fringe was hand made. I beaded each strand, attached each one to tape before attaching them to the sleeve. I used a stretch velvet for the body with a deep V gold mesh cutaway. It is finished with gold binding at the openings and gold rickrack with sequins along the V neck border.
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PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE
Below is a selection of film, theatre and wearable art events that I have been involved in
DEVIL WOMAN
2018
Head of Wardrobe
DEVIL WOMAN is an enviro horror film by Australian Writer/Director Heidi Lee Douglas.
My role pre-shoot involved profiling characters, choosing colour palettes for each, sizing and shopping, sourcing multiple identical pieces for continuity. On set I assisted actors with dressing, managed wardrobe items ensuring nothing went missing or was damaged, dirtied and cleaned as necessary for continuity and managed the wrap up process.
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SARAH SEAHORSE AND LUNA AQUATICA
2017- Present
Sarah and Luna are glorious multidisciplinary artists who often collaborate. I have worked and volunteered with Sarah and Luna across a few of their wearable art projects and worked under Sarah on some of their costuming jobs for performing arts.Â
Some of the work I have done with them included: rhinestoning, pom pom making, sourcing swatches and fabrics, colour changing and sewing.
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LITTLE LAMB
2012
Wardrobe Assistant and Lamb Wrangler
Little Lamb is a feminist retelling of the Bluebeard tale, filmed in Tasmania, written and directed by Heidi Lee Douglas.
I was mainly involved in wardrobe in the pre-production stages, assisting with sizing, shopping and sourcing especially for convict/female factory scene. On set I assisted with dirtying and cleaning and looked after the lamb.
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HOBART COLLEGE AND TARREMAH STEINER SCHOOL
I was involved in the backstage side of theatre productions whilst at Tarremah Steiner during years 2009 and 2010
Whilst at Hobart College in 2011, I undertook a production subject focussing on wardrobe and properties but also learning some sound and lighting basics. I also returned to Tarremah to assist with their theatre productions that year.
