Portrait image of KatieJane Heffernan. Photograph by Len Thompson.

Katie-Jane Heffernan

BA (Hons) Design for Film
The Shadow Over Innsmouth

For KatieJanes’ Major Project, she chose to adapt the short horror novella, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”, by H.P. Lovecraft, for the screen. Published in 1936 and originally set in Massachusetts during the 1930’s, she reimagined the story instead in the 1890’s, amplifying its gothic horror theme. Set in a dark fantasy world inhabited by sea creatures and God-like deities, the narrative feature's themes of paranoia and transformation, reflecting upon Lovecraft’s anxiety’s concerning personal and cultural identity. Through the adaptation of historical silhouettes and fabric manipulations, such as distressing, pin tucking and furrowing, KatieJane aimed to evoke the sense of otherworldliness prevalent in the story.

Oran O’Reilly as Robert Olmstead in, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. This costume depicts Olmstead as he arrives to the town of Innsmouth, wearing a morning suit accurate to those of the 1890’s. Photography by Sarah Lordan. Hair and makeup by Lavender Jane Gartlan.
Oran O’Reilly as Robert Olmstead in, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. This costume depicts Olmstead as he arrives to the town of Innsmouth, wearing a morning suit accurate to those of the 1890’s. Photography by Sarah Lordan. Hair and makeup by Lavender Jane Gartlan.
Oran O’Reilly posing as the character of Robert Olmstead, from, “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. This costume represents the character of Olmstead as he arrives to the town of Innsmouth. Photography by Sarah Lordan. Hair and makeup by Lavender Jane Gartlan.
Olmstead, arriving to the town of Innsmouth, wears a morning suit accurate to those of the 1890’s. The costume consists of a jacket, fully covered with pin tucks, a corduroy waistcoat and woollen trousers with button braces attached. Photograph by Sarah Lordan.
Olmstead, arriving to the town of Innsmouth, wears a morning suit accurate to those of the 1890’s. The costume consists of a jacket, fully covered with pin tucks, a corduroy waistcoat and woollen trousers with button braces attached. Photograph by Sarah Lordan.
Olmstead, arriving to Innsmouth, wears a morning suit accurate to those of the 1890’s. The costume consists of a jacket, fully covered with pin tucks, a corduroy waistcoat and woollen trousers with button braces attached. Photograph by Sarah Lordan.
Detail shot of pin tucked jacket
Detail shot of pin tucked jacket
The jacket of Olmsteads’ suit is entirely covered in pin tucks, inspired by KatieJanes world building work and functioning as a hint at the fantastical nature of the town of Innsmouth. Photograph by Sarah Lordan. Hair and makeup by Lavender Jane Gartlan.
Narrative shots
Narrative shots
A narrative shot, representing the travelling and exploring undertaken by Olmstead in the text. Photograph by Sarah Lordan. Hair and makeup by Lavender Jane Gartlan.
1890s minor project remake
1890s minor project remake
Costume created as part of KatieJanes’s Minor Project. Titled the, “Historical Remake”, she constructed female undergarments from the 1890’s. Photograph by Casey Síofra.
1890’s undergarments
1890’s undergarments
This costume is an accurate recreation of historical undergarments from the 1890’s, consisting of a lobster tail bustle, combinations and an ‘s’ shaped corset. Photograph by Casey Síofra.
Project Outcomes

Upon undertaking this project, its outcomes were the construction of a costume for the main character of the novella, Robert Olmstead, along with the creation of a sketchbook containing fully realised costume designs for the texts other characters, as if they were to be developed for a screen production. Throughout the design process, KatieJane focused on world building and visually distinguishing characters from one another, referencing their origins and roles in the text. Drawing aesthetic inspiration from, “The Lighthouse”, 2019, and “Nosferatu”, 2025, KatieJane was inspired to create a compelling horror setting.

Thesis: From Samhain to Halloween, Exploring the Evolution of Samhain in Ireland from 100AD to the Present Day, Focusing on Mask-Wearing Rituals and Their Construction

This thesis examines the evolution of Samhain, focusing on the mask making and wearing customs associated with it. Exploring the changes in their form and function from the establishment of Samhain to its contemporary counterpart, Halloween, throughout the regions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and America. From 100BC to contemporary, Ireland Samhain has undergone significant transformations influenced by various external cultural and religious factors. KatieJane discusses how these occurrences shaped Samhain into the holiday of Halloween, and how its modernisation has affected the aesthetic and construction of ritual masks still worn by children today.

Portfolio
Portrait image of KatieJane Heffernan. Photograph by Len Thompson.
Katie-Jane Heffernan
BA (Hons) Design for Film

KatieJane Heffernan is a 23-year-old costume design graduate with a passion for period costume design. Driven by a strong interest in the communicative nature of costume, her work explores how character and narrative are conveyed through both the design and construction of costume. KatieJane has gained experience designing and making costumes for both student lead film productions as well as theatre, allowing her develop skills in design, styling and garment construction. KatieJane hopes to refine these skills and expand her experience within both the film and theatre industries.

BA (Hons) Design for Film