THE MAKING OF PRETTY BOY, RECYCLED CARDBOARD MALE PEACOCK DRESS

The Chester County Art Association in West Chester, Pennsylvania recently sponsored a Cardboard Challenge where the only rule was that each piece had to be constructed from cardboard. After a recent trip to Mexico, where gorgeous male peacocks turned in circles fanning their feathers, I knew that my entry would be a male peacock dress.

I created "Pretty Boy" with the goal of promoting equality and getting productive conversations started. #weallrisetogether

Fitting "Pretty Boy" on the dress form.

I invited a friend, who is a drag queen, to model the dress during the opening. Amie Vanite came over for two fittings and I used her measurements to make the dress.

First step was to scavenge a refrigerator box from a local appliance store.

Next, I cut out individual peacock feathers, painting each one.

I punched holes in each feather using an awl then stitched them together.

Each feather was handknotted. Lots of blisters.

I held up the skirt to see how it looked.

Figuring out the bust of the dress was most challenging.

I used tissue paper to make a pattern.

And added darts - to a cardboard dress. Crazy, I know.

Here is an in progress shot.

Sparkly blue glitter was added to each bodice feather.

"Pretty Boy" in the Hutson Gallery of the Chester County Art Association.

 

I added a train to the skirt, then attached the skirt to the bodice. I made glittery buttons with elastic closures that went all the way down the back of the dress. 

"Pretty boy" took approximately two months to create from start to finish.