Out of the Sea - Foundations Revealed Competition 2021

Up front…

The Foundations Revealed competition is an annual tradition that I have chosen to participate in only three times up to this point. This is an event that calls upon the talents and creativity (and spare time) of remarkable makers across the world. If you have ever found yourself interested in participating, I highly encourage it. No purchase or paid membership is required (only a free membership for logging into the Foundations Revealed website), and you can learn more about it all here.

The “Out of the Sea” corset, draped gown, and shelled mask - created and worn by Heidi of Strait-Laced Dame Corsetry.

The Concept

The 2021 Foundations Revealed Competition them is “Once Upon a Time”, prompting participants to create a garment or ensemble which pays tribute to a specific character of literature.

Perhaps the clear PVC and red-painted spiral steel boning of the corset, along with the blood-kissed draped dress are a bit on the nose - and perhaps not. The title of the entry may give it away, and if all else fails, the seashell-covered face mask probably makes it obvious. Inspiration for the creation of this looks comes from a 180+ year old fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson: "The Little Mermaid”.

In the original telling, the unnamed child of the sea trades away her three centuries of life and her very tongue for the chance of capturing the heart of a prince she once saved from drowning, and thereby gaining a soul of her own. The silent darling makes herself a favorite in the court of the young man, and she spends her days at his side, step in step, despite the fact that each movement of her new feet causes the pain of unseen knives to run through her, and in the wake of each step is left a bit of her own blood - a reminder of the price paid for her ability to move on the surface. Yet, in the end, the prince finds his mate in another. On the morning that the mermaid is fated to die - as she was not able to join herself with her prince - she is given one final chance to escape this demise. She may plunge an enchanted knife in the heart of her beloved, that she might then return to the sea with her kin and kingdom. Of course, she cannot bring herself to end his life, and instead she herself turns to seafoam at morning’s first light.

If you’d like to listen to a retelling of the original story, here’s a a video/audiobook version I have enjoyed.