Maiden, Mother, Crone
by Corinna Parr
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I designed costumes based on this evocative and poetic short story about the daughter of Epona, who emerges from the earth and lives the full life of a woman during three days. The daughter is represented as a Triple Goddess, either as a triad of goddesses or a single goddess that presents herself as three forms. The Maiden, Mother and Crone each symbolise a separate stage in the life cycle of a woman and a phase of the moon.
The story explores themes of divinity including Wiccan paganism, celebration, sacrifice, spirituality, birth, growth and death. The rhythm and poetic writing inspired a strong element of movement and I decided to design the story as a theatrical dance.
To convey the mood and characterisation of the story, I delved into dance and culture. Into something primal and authentic. I integrated pagan symbolism with African influences, referencing colours and beads used in the Maasai tribe, and the bridal costume and headdresses worn by Maasai women. Looking at the garments of young girls across African tribes also informed my design choices.
When first designing for the Crone, I imagined a black, disintegrating cloak, but looking more closely at costume in African culture, I realised their garments tended to be intensely colourful with barely any black. I therefore designed the final costume with vivid colour, hints of disintegration and decaying fabric down the back of the kaftan.
The light greens, bright yellows, and pink of blooming buds represent the Maiden. The garment then blossoms into a piece more ornate, turning red with the coming of womanhood as she becomes the Mother. Her status and wisdom emerges as she ages to the Crone, gold embellishing her garment, heavy with symbols, while the dying of the Mother is represented through the headdress.