This golden jeweled mask incorporates several of my favorite design motifs: merging design inspirations; layering and collaging textiles, trims, and findings; and recycling and reusing existing materials.
When I decided to design this new mask, I also created a challenge for myself: all materials must come from my collection and archive. From there I set forth.
I originally designed this mask for the Act I theater scene in “Cyrano de Bergerac” revived on Broadway. The mask was made in Italy under my specifications and covered in red and black three-dimensional diamonds and an assortment of gold trims.
To create the new mask, I stripped it down to its base then painted and splattered in with several tones of gold metallic paint. The next step was embedding it with vintage and new jewelry and bric-a-brac.
Rows of beads and findings mixed with oyster silk and metallic fringe were incorporated into tassels purchased years ago.
On the side of the mask are ties and cocardes made from vintage velvet ribbon which I beaded with diamond-shaped motifs.
Creating this mask helped remind me that there is a big gorgeous world out there, and together we will definitely get through this pandemic.