Sea Nymph – is a handmade ladies hat (the art of head fashion design) that was created and presented by Doinita Miculescu Tomeci (Donia Star) at the international competition and exhibition organized in London, UK in December 2024.
The theme was “Water”. Philosophy of the work: description by artist Donia Star, (Doinita Miculescu Tomeci): Water, as the basic element of our existence, also offers us a spectacle of color and light when and how it wishes. We must do more to treat and respect it as we should, so that we can enjoy its benefits for as long as possible…. The work itself was a challenge to my imagination.
Therefore, I used techniques I have learned over the years in hat making, silk flower making, jewelry making, painting and makeup to capture the intricacies of water shimmering in sunlight. Water is present in nature in all known states, from liquid to solid (ice) or vapor (clouds) and forms the water cycle in nature that makes life possible. The hat I created is meant to capture the physical side of water movement, but also its metaphysical component. I chose to call the work “The Nymph of the Sea” because in Greek mythology she was the protector of the waters and was depicted in ancient artworks wearing a “flower hat” on her head. “Water – Flower – Hat
Techniques used in making the Sea Nymph by Doinita Miculescu Tomeci : – Blocking, stiffening, assembling and finishing the hat (calotte ms 57 and brim with a diameter of 40cm) I used two layers of Sinamay of different shades with a layer of organza with glitter in between.
-Rigidizing, painting and fixing the silk on thin (0,25) coated wire backing. Vintage tools were also used here for making French silk flowers.
– Hat pinning.
– I made the corals from Sinamay and pearls.
– Making “drops” of crystals fixed on jewelry wire.
– Sewing all the decorative elements.
– Painting shells with acrylic paint.
– Decorating the silk with glitter in certain areas to create the image of breaking waves.
Materials used:
– Sinamay,
– Organza,
– Sinamay hardener,
– invisible nylon thread
– coated wire,
– natural silk (Chiffon),
– silk dye,
– coated flower wire (0.25),
– PVA glue,
– Petersham tape,
– vintage elements (pearls),
– Swarovski crystals,
– shells ,
– acrylic paint,
– glitter,
– glitter body powder,
– fine jewelry chain,
– thin knitting yarn.
