the chronicles of prydain

Omg Lloyd Alexander, who gave you permission to just stab me in the heart like that.

This design was primarily based on medieval heraldic gowns (which I believe were primarily English and Celtic). They have a really iconic look to them, split down the center with odd clashing patterns and bright colors, and often emblams of the person wearing them (I think, I dunno, I’m not a real dress historian). I also put Janet from Tam Lin in one, if you saw that post, although hers is a bit more accurate to actual imagery of these dresses from real medieval art I’ve seen. Achren’s look is a little more clean and sinister, I wanted it to be less clashing and garish, more elegant. I also wanted to dedicate extra love to designing her hands, which I actually based on my own. Her whole look is meant to be high fantasy fiction, not as based in real garments from the period as I’d initially planned, as there aren’t many references or extant pieces. As far as I’ve come to understand, as a fashion history novice, it seems to be debatable if these split heraldic dresses even existed, or if they were just from paintings, or what their deal is. I’m no expert, so I can’t say, but something about that draws me to them for Achren. It feels somehow appropriate. Regardless, her design and Eilonwy’s design are meant to be at complete odds, with Achren looking refined, clean, and elegent, whereas Eilonwy opts for a more peasant-inspired simple white robe and really messy vibes.