Rebecca Darnell
For her Major Project, Rebecca based her work on the story of 'Sleepy Hollow' directed by Tim Burton. The story’s strong sense of atmosphere, vivid characters, and gothic tone offered a rich foundation for her designs. She focused on three archetypes: a troubled constable, an angelic daughter, and the ominous Headless Horseman. Using historical research, textile manipulation, and design development, Rebecca explored how costume can express character through identity and class in her eight final designs. She documented her process through digital drawings and a sketchbook. She constructed a toile to identify and resolve technical issues, leading to her final design that brings the likeness of Katrina to life through fabric and silhouette.
The objectives of this project were to interpret and analyse The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, translating its characters into original designs that capture the characters narrative roles and emotional depth. Rebecca aimed to research historical fashion and textiles from the late 18th century to ensure the authenticity of her costume development through museum archives. She explored and apply textile manipulation techniques such as ruffles and pleats to reflect the characters' traits and the story’s symbolic themes. The project involved developing eight distinct character costume concepts, each supported by visual research, drawings, and fabric swatches. After selecting the final design, Rebecca constructed a toile to test the silhouette, fit, and construction methods, resolving any technical issues. Throughout, she documented the entire design process in a comprehensive sketchbook, showcasing her research, experimentation, and creative development. Ultimately, Rebecca wanted to present a final design and a constructed costume that demonstrates both conceptual thinking and technical skill, blending creativity with craftsmanship in the final outcome.
Through this project, Rebecca developed a deeper understanding of how costume design can visually communicate narrative, character, and emotion. She successfully translated her interpretation of the atmosphere of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow into distinct costume designs, each supported by historical research and conceptual development. Her final design demonstrated an ability to combine historical context with creative interpretation, resulting in a look that was both authentic and expressive. Her sketchbook served as a comprehensive record of her creative process, including research, character studies, fabric samples, and design refinement. Constructing the toile allowed her to strengthen her problem-solving skills. The process taught Rebecca the importance of practical testing on a body along with the movement of a body. Overall, Rebecca gained valuable confidence in communicating her concepts throughout.
Attached are Rebecca's Portfolio and Resume which demonstrates her work throughout college from different modules to student films and outside film productions.
For her Thesis Rebecca focused on a different genre of interest, writing her Thesis on 'The Representation of Domestication and Oppression of Women in 1950's America Compared to Today'. She wanted to explore the challenges women faced in the past and compare them to the rights and opportunities available to women today. As part of her analysis, she examined the sexualisation of women in magazines and the way household products were marketed specifically to women, highlighting how media and advertising have shaped gender roles and societal expectations.
Rebecca entered the film industry through background acting, appearing in projects like Sliver, Harry Wild, and Moonhaven. Her career took a significant step forward when she assisted in the art department of Punch Line (2022), earning her first credit with Virgin Media. She gained further experience working in casting on The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) and in the costume department on recently released Drop (2025). Most recently, Rebecca completed a two month traineeship on 260 Days (2025) in Croatia. She continues to stay immersed in the film world, contributing in student films and attending classes while working her part-time job in a cinema, allows her to stay connected with the industry while watching her work on the big screen.
