WONDERLAND
LOOK TWO: THE NEST
THE NEST
A black velvet mermaid gown crafted from rich deadstock velvet, sculpted to create an elegant, elongated silhouette. Resting atop the shoulders is a handwoven nest constructed from real branches, thistle grass, and twigs, each carefully hand-dyed to achieve an aged, organic finish. Dramatic pointed hips, inspired by the shape of bird eggs, are adorned with layers of black feathers that emphasize the gown's sculptural form. Hand-cast bronze eggs, textured to resemble real eggs, are nestled throughout the woven nest, creating the illusion of a precious clutch being protected. Hidden wristlets are sewn into each side of the train, allowing the wearer to gracefully lift and carry the sweeping silhouette while in motion.
LOOK TWO — THE NEST
Look Two, The Nest, represents protection, transformation, and the fragile space between becoming and belonging. Inspired by Through the Looking-Glass and the fairytale of The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs, this character embodies the paradox of vulnerability and strength. Throughout folklore, nests symbolize sanctuary, creation, and new life—a carefully constructed place where transformation occurs unseen. Gold eggs, meanwhile, have long represented abundance, divinity, and the promise of something extraordinary waiting to emerge. Together, these symbols become a meditation on potential: the moment before a creature takes flight, before a dream becomes reality, or before an identity is fully formed.
Birds' nests have always fascinated me. They are extraordinary examples of natural engineering, woven together from the simplest materials—twigs, grasses, feathers, moss, and branches—yet strong enough to withstand wind, rain, and time. Their beauty lies not in perfection, but in the care and intention behind their construction. Every piece has a purpose, every strand supports another, resulting in a structure that is both delicate and incredibly resilient. This philosophy mirrors my own approach to design, where countless handmade components come together to create garments that are both sculptural and enduring.
The silhouette transforms the wearer into an ambiguous, mythical figure. She exists somewhere between human and nature, refusing a single identity. Is she the bird who built the nest? The tree from which it grows? Or the precious golden egg hidden safely within? The answer is intentionally left unresolved. Like many of the characters in Wonderland, she inhabits a liminal state, constantly shifting between forms and existing in multiple realities at once. This uncertainty allows the viewer to project their own narrative onto the garment, making the character feel both familiar and mysterious.
An expansive nest of handwoven branches rests across the shoulders, framing the body like a protective halo while extending beyond the silhouette in dramatic proportions. Nestled within the branches are handcrafted bronze eggs, each cast to resemble real eggs while taking on the permanence and weight of metal. Their golden finish references the legendary goose and symbolizes hidden value, divine protection, and untapped potential. Black feathers emerge from exaggerated hips, creating the illusion that the body itself is beginning to transform into a magnificent bird. The contrast between rough organic branches, polished metal, soft feathers, and luxurious textiles reinforces the collection's dialogue between nature and fantasy.
Within the narrative of Wonderland, The Nest is the guardian of transformation. She reminds the dreamer that growth requires both vulnerability and protection—that before every flight there is a period of stillness, and before every new beginning there is a place of refuge. She is simultaneously home, creator, and creation, embodying the quiet strength found within nature's most delicate forms.
The Gooses Golden Eggs
“There once was a man who owned a wonderful goose. Every morning, the goose laid for him a big, beautiful egg — an egg made of pure, shiny, solid gold. Every morning, the man collected golden eggs. And little by little, egg by egg, he began to grow rich. But the man wanted more. “My goose has all those golden eggs insider her,” he kept thinking. “Why not get them all at once?” One day he couldn’t wait any longer. He grabbed the goose and killed her. But there were no eggs inside her! “Why did I do that?” the man cried! “Now there will be no more golden eggs.” -silkroadfables
The Nest
Constructing the Nest
The nest was one of the most enjoyable and immersive elements of the collection to create. Designing it required extensive research into the materials and structures found in real birds' nests, studying not only how different species construct their homes but also why they choose certain natural elements. I wanted the nest to feel believable, as though it could have existed within the world of Wonderland. The process became an exercise in observing nature as a master craftsman.
Hand-dyed textiles were woven throughout the structure alongside organic materials to blur the line between garment and environment. The nest was constructed from a carefully curated combination of thistle grass, twigs, branches, moss, and other natural elements, each selected for its unique texture and visual character. The woven fabrics subtly emerge between the branches, creating moments where the constructed and the natural become indistinguishable. Every material contributes to the illusion that the dress has grown organically rather than being traditionally assembled.
The design evolved significantly through prototyping. The original nest was considerably larger, extending farther from the body with a broader, circular silhouette. While visually dramatic, it became overly bulky and resembled a decorative wreath more than a wearable garment. Its scale overwhelmed the wearer and prevented the piece from functioning as a cohesive dress.
Through multiple rounds of refinement, the nest was reduced in size and reshaped to integrate seamlessly into the garment itself. Rather than existing as a separate sculptural accessory, the final version became an architectural extension of the dress, allowing for proper closures, movement, and wearability while preserving the illusion that the wearer had emerged directly from within the nest. Achieving this balance between sculpture and function was one of the greatest design challenges of the piece.
Engineering the structure required extensive experimentation. Early prototypes were carved and assembled from foam to establish volume, proportion, and balance before committing to the final materials. These mock-ups allowed me to test the silhouette and structural integrity while determining how the nest would interact with the body. Each iteration brought the design closer to its final form, resulting in a piece that appears effortlessly organic while relying on careful planning, engineering, and craftsmanship beneath its natural exterior.
process,
documented on polaroid
COLLABORATIONS
COLLABORATIONS
The Golden Eggs
Created in collaboration with Madeline Pollard
jewelry designer
The collaborations within this collection complete each look. Every collaborator brought their own individual artistry to WONDERLAND, transforming these garments into a fully realized world and proving that some of the most meaningful creations are born through collaboration.
