Flowers Meet Fashion:
Inspired by Billy Porter

Phipps Conservatory, Summer 2023

Co- Costume Designer

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Co- Costume Designer- Carrie Anne Honeycutt Parker

Exhibition Director- Jordyn Melino

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The inspiration for this design came from Billy Porter’s memoir Unprotected. We wanted to create a figure of empowerment and hope, like Billy has been to so many. He is also known for his political statements on the red carpet, and we thought this costume should hold a similar message. Hence we entitled the piece “The Statue of  Liberation”. We looked at a variety of influences, from the Statue of Liberty itself to the rivers of Pittsburgh and runway fashions.  I worked specifically on the hand beading and development of the quilted rainbow.