“Ethnic” and Fantasy

MFA Thesis Project by Stephanie Mae Fisher

This thesis project explores questions of culture in costume design through three case studies. In each case study, I have used a Cinderella or “Persecuted Heroine” story originating in a different culture to ground my design work. The stories originate in Japan, China, and Korea, all countries whose clothing I had very little knowledge of before starting this project. I read extensively about culture in performance, cultural appropriation, stereotype, ethnic and cultural identity, ideas of authenticity, and ethnic dress before embarking on the specific cultural research represented here. In the spirit of theatre, wherein the audience often sees only part of the process or none at all, I have left those conversations for my presentation in Forum, but invite you all to bear them in mind as you peruse the research and designs below.

There is a survey link at the bottom of the page, and I welcome your feedback!