Dragonriders Of Pern designs

This project focuses on the costume journey of the main protagonist Lessa, with her transformation from suppression to equality in contrast to her male counterpart F’lar. Set within a film adaption of the young adult Science Fiction/Fantasy novel Dragonriders of Pern: Dragonflight (1968) by author Anne McCaffrey. This Master of Design research project questions inadequate portrayals of the ‘Other in mainstream cinema, by shifting from unhealthy stereotypical costuming to develop a positive visual language for female characters. The early costumes are based within a neo-medieval European/Chinese hybrid society, where only the worthy can form a telepathic ‘bond with Dragons to fight against a deadly common foe Thread’. The final design shifts to advanced cryogenic suits, modified into military gear which are derived from a utopian, equal gendered ‘past society for Lessa and Flars final battle as Weyr Riders.