Elli Dillon
"The Age of Innocence" - inspired by the 1993 film adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel. Set in the early 1870s upper-class New York, tells the story of Newland Archer, a young lawyer caught in a love triangle with his fiancée May Welland and her unconventional cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. The film explores the conflict between personal desire and societal duty in a world of strict expectations and appearances. Through research, costume and character design, Elli constructed an 1870s evening gown for Countess Olenska complete with period-accurate undergarments such as a bustle, corset and petticoat which create the beautiful silhouette of this period.
The portrayal of Asian women in the golden age of Hollywood cinema during the 1950s and 1960s, where representations were often severely stereotyped. These portrayals stem from post-war perceptions, as returning soldiers brought back wartime stories from the East, which shaped media and film. Hollywood reflected American attitudes towards Asians at the time, often depicting Asia as a romanticised, exotic land filled with “exotic beings” (Said, 1978). Two dominant stereotypes emerge: the submissive, gentle ‘China Doll’ and the sexually alluring, manipulative ‘Dragon Lady.’ These were shaped by Western male fantasies, as Berger (2008) states, “Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at.” In South Pacific (1958), the character Liat is silent, docile, and arranged to marry a U.S. Marine without objection, embodying the ‘China Doll.’ Flower Drum Song (1961) also reflects this stereotype through Mei Li, a quiet, obedient Chinese immigrant who seems incapable of making decisions without a man. The contrast between tradition and modernism is also explored. The World of Suzie Wong (1960) features Suzie, a sex worker exoticised by a British expat artist who has her pose seductively for his paintings. These films reinforce racial and gender stereotypes rooted in colonialist fantasies.
Elli is a Costume Designer from Kilkenny who is currently based in Dublin. She is very passionate about sewing and making costumes for both film and theatre. Over the past four years, she has gained experience in a variety of projects, both collaborative and individual. Elli has a wide range of skills such as in-depth research, character design, technical sewing and garment construction. She enjoys the process of diving into scripts, understanding the characters’ journeys, and creating costumes that visually support and enhance the story. As a recent graduate of Design for Film (BA), she hopes to pursue costume designing and making in the industry.
