Female Archetypes in Film

This conceptual costume project explores the recurring roles women occupy in visual and written storytelling. I examined how costume design can reinforce familiar archetypes, using silhouette, colour, fabric, and construction techniques to communicate personality and narrative function. Through two contrasting looks, I investigated how wardrobe can subtly — or overtly — shape audience perception.

This body of work reflects my interest in how costume can both reinforce and challenge cultural narratives. By translating archetypes into tangible garments, I explored the power of design as a storytelling device — and the responsibility that comes with shaping how characters are perceived.

This project was selected for presentation in a senior art exhibition and formed part of my application to the Dalhousie Fountain School of Performing Arts Scholarship in Costume Studies. I was awarded this scholarship for four consecutive years. This scholarship was granted on the basis of strong and sustained academic performance.

The Femme Fatale

The Femme Fatale embodies seduction, allure, and calculated mystery. Traditionally portrayed as a sexually empowered yet narratively limited figure, she often functions as a distraction or catalyst within a male-driven storyline. While contemporary interpretations have begun to expand this archetype, its visual language remains deeply ingrained in cinema.

To interpret this role, I designed a close-fitted, lined evening gown featuring princess seams, a thigh-high slit, and a concealed side zipper. The silhouette balances sensuality with elegance. The slit adds movement and controlled drama, enhancing the character’s confident presence.

Black crepe was selected for its fluid drape and lightweight structure, allowing the fabric to trace the body and emphasize motion. The colour black reinforces themes historically associated with the archetype — mystery, danger, elegance, and power — strengthening the visual narrative.

In contrast, the Damsel in Distress represents fragility and dependence, frequently positioned as a character in need of rescue. This archetype often appears in superhero and action genres, where her narrative purpose centers on vulnerability rather than agency.

For this look, I designed a close-fitting, lined dress with a shaped bodice and flared skirt featuring a godet for volume and movement. Constructed from stable knit fabric, the garment maintains structure while remaining soft in appearance. The back closure, finished with ten eyelets and cording, introduces a subtle sense of restriction — echoing the character’s limited autonomy. Additional cording at the waist adds delicate detail while visually containing the silhouette.

White fabric was chosen to symbolize innocence and purity. The fitted bodice emphasizes traditional femininity, while the fuller skirt evokes a princess-like quality, reinforcing the archetype’s association with youth and passivity.