Others & others.

by Venera Kazarova @venerakazarova

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Introduction

This series is called "Collage Portrait."
I created a series of costumes made of collages. These collages consist of cutouts from old magazines and vintage photographs, surrounding the wearer and both revealing and literally illustrating the character.

Supplies

I used fabric, wire, a hot glue gun, and a lot of printed images, some of which can be seen here.

Step 1. Cutting.

First, I cut out the images and reinforced them by gluing them onto cardboard.
Then, I attached a wire to each image, with the other end designed to be secured to the dress.

Step 2. Images and the costume.

The fragmented images surround the wearer, creating a dynamic, ever-changing visual story that blends past and present. Each collage element is carefully selected not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its symbolic meaning, contributing to the character’s identity and emotional depth.
By physically enveloping the wearer, the collages transform into more than just decorative elements—they become an extension of the body, shaping and redefining its silhouette in unexpected ways. The cutouts, sourced from old magazines and vintage photographs, intertwine like fragments of memory, constructing a narrative that unfolds as the wearer moves. Some pieces protrude, creating sculptural dimensions, while others lay flat, forming a second skin of imagery that blurs the line between fabric and print, past and present.

As the wearer moves, the composition shifts—images overlap, revealing hidden details, while shadows and highlights continuously reshape the visual structure of the costume. This ever-changing interplay between static imagery and fluid motion gives the impression that the character exists in multiple layers of time, with history literally wrapping around them. The costume, no longer a fixed object, becomes an evolving entity, responsive to its environment and the gestures of the performer.

Ultimately, this fluid composition both reveals and illustrates the essence of the character, making the wearer a living canvas where history, memory, and storytelling merge into one. The fragmented visuals invite interpretation, encouraging viewers to piece together the narrative themselves. Each collage serves as a window into another world, drawing connections between personal identity, cultural history, and the ephemeral nature of performance.

Step 3. Behind the scenes.

Together with the team, we filmed a short video capturing the essence of each character. Through carefully composed shots, movement, and lighting, we aimed to bring the costumes to life, highlighting how they interact with the body and the surrounding space. Each scene was designed to emphasize not only the visual details of the costumes but also the emotions and narratives behind them.

We experimented with different angles, pacing, and camera movements to create a dynamic and immersive experience. The performers embodied the personalities and moods of their respective characters, using gestures and expressions to enhance the storytelling. The use of lighting and background elements further helped to set the tone, creating a dreamlike, almost theatrical atmosphere.

This video serves as both documentation and an artistic extension of the project, offering a deeper look into the world we created. By blending costume design, performance, and cinematography, we aimed to transform static images into a living, breathing composition that fully conveys the depth and individuality of each character.