Costume Portfolio

In this adaptation of Arthur Miller's, The Crucible, the story is set in the province of Johannesburg and takes place in a catholic high school. The costumes features school uniform with customised badges and religious symbology on the bishops a cloak. The characters are modestly dress with an exception with of the troublesome girls.

In collaboration with the Rhodes Drama Department and Journalism Department, the project aims to explore the first black published paper prints of the Eastern Cape known as Izwi Labantu, Umshumayeli Wendaba & Imvo Zabantu. The aim was to capture the essence of the late 1890’s in South Africa and explore the clothing / costuming of black intellectuals such as AK Soga and JT Jabavu in South Africa’s colonial history.

RU Game ? Explores theme of the university experience, in collaboration with the director and design supervisor the play encompass’ out of the box thinking and engagement. The costumes were a uniform that the students wear to symbolise being a part of the game or university system. However, throughout the play, the students strip layers away from this uniform to reveal their individuality through different fabric, patterns and colours.

Ityala lamawele is a theatrical adaptation of the Xhosa Novel by Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi, which recounts the battle between twins Banini and Wele as they clash over who is the rightful heir. The costume revolves around ceremonial symbology. The most prominent features of this are ingubo (blankets ) that feature various lines as signifier of statues in the community .

Set in war stricken Congo, Mama Nadi runs a brothel were she takes in woman that have been affect by the civil war. The costumes include warm patterns on java and ankara print.

Yerma is a story about a barren women who is adamant on having a child she is a standout character in the barren and dessert like set. Yerma is in a red striking dress with removable layers each with different lengths and stages of deterioration. The red contrasts the set, the rest of the characters including the hooded chorus members.

Serurubele meaning Butterfly Heart is a one hander performed by Lalu Mokuku, exploring grief among children. The costume features pockets that keep rocks that are shared by two friends. The costume features a butterfly collar embroidered collar that has a playful flair. This was a cross departmental production. Drawings and sketches by A. Maponya

Kss Kss is a site is specific work aimed at exploring the male gaze as it pertains to consent and sexual violence. The red burlesque attire consisted of various layers of fabric that was attached with velcro, this is to conceal and expose the undergarment. The sound of the velcro also contributed to the violence and the in-adherence of consent.

Abafazi BaseLwandle explores the exploitation experienced by the seaweed pickers in the shores of the Eastern Cape by large scale conglomerates. The conglomerates are signified by Umlungu Karen who is seated on the empire chair overlooking the men and women that pick seaweed. The vile nature of Umlungu Karen is shown through seaweed crawling up the dress to emphasis the greed and the immorality of her business practices.