The Egret

In Spring 2025, I was invited by the National Trust to bring a playful creative direction to the Spring Promenade at Newton House, Dinefwr Park. The theme focused on birdlife and the arrival of spring, and my role was to help bring that to life through bold textures, joyful colour, and a sense of fun that would weave through the whole event.

I was commissioned to design and make a costume, which I wore to lead the parade on the day. After looking at a survey of the birdlife on site, I chose an egret for their mystery and grandeur. The costume also became a temporary installation inside the historic dining room, displayed alongside a series of ten giant eggs in egg cups and spoons that I also created. My aim was to contrast the formal setting with something a bit surreal and light-hearted.

All the work—including both the parade commission and the workshops—was made using sustainable materials like cardboard, papier-mâché, and reclaimed fabrics, keeping the process accessible, eco-conscious, and rooted in handmade charm.