Trace Swisher, a senior dual major in theatre design tech and advertising and public relations at the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, recently completed a semester-long project honoring women in horror movies.
“The Final Girl Exodus: An Editorial Study of a Trope” contained costumes designed and constructed by Swisher. The looks are an homage to “final girls” in horror films. The “final girl” trope includes female protagonists who survive to the end of their films against all odds to face their movies’ killers.
Morgan Basile models Swisher's look based on Sidney Prescott from "Scream."
Courtesy:Trace Reid Swisher
Swisher, from West Union, West Virginia, was inspired by “Final Girl Exodus,” a painting by Robin F. Williams featured at the “Robin F. Williams: We’ve Been Expecting You” exhibit in the Columbus Museum of Art.
“From high-production thrillers of the modern time to kitschy b-movies of the past, the horror genre has always held a special place in my heart,” Swisher said. “There was just something about walking into that gallery and seeing all the women I grew up watching beautifully depicted. I knew I wanted to pay homage to Williams and the horror genre in my own special way.”
Swisher’s study began at the start of the “final girl” trope and spanned to its modern takes. The final pieces were inspired by Mina Harker from Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” the original “Scream Queen” Fay Wray, Sally Hardesty from “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” Sidney Prescott from the “Scream” franchise and Dani Ardor from “Midsommar.”
Eliza Doll models Swisher's look based on Dani Ardor from "Midsommar."
Courtesy:Trace Reid Swisher
“When it comes to craftsmanship and overall presentation, I think my favorite is the look inspired by Sally Hardesty from 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre',” Swisher said. “The sub-title for this look was ‘Fresh Meat’ a play on Sally being the first official 'final girl' and a fun nod to the cannibalistic butcher family of the movie. When creating my looks, I didn’t just want to regurgitate the same look from the movie with the same blood stains, tears, etc. I wanted to present the idea of gore through different mediums and methods. To create the rotting flesh on Sally’s look, I used a combination of Christmas cranberries, forest moss, wig trimmings, feathers, pony beads, organza, glass beads and, of course, sequins!”
Mary McClung, director of costuming and professor of costume design and puppetry, oversaw the project.
“Professor McClung and I approached the project before the semester to plan out the logistics, deciding that I would have the full semester to complete the collection of looks with my due date being the photoshoot itself,” Swisher said.
Swisher's look based on Sally Hardesty from "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre."
Courtesy:Trace Reid Swisher
The photoshoot took place in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre at the Canady Creative Arts Center on December 14. Swisher put together a creative team, which included fellow students Eliza Doll, a junior musical theatre major and Morgan Basile, a junior theatre design and technology major, as models. Zoe Nestor, a junior theatre design and technology student, served as the lighting designer. Paige Cheatham, a senior acting major, supervised hair and makeup.
“When people see The Final Girl Exodus collection, I hope they see a celebration of femininity,” Swisher said. “I hope they see my point of view, my heart and my ambitions. I hope they see themselves or someone else.”
Swisher will graduate from the College of Creative Arts and Media on December 21 and plans to continue working on his portfolio before attending graduate school.
“My overall goal is to become an Artistic Director. I have so many ideas and passions I just want to share with the world whether it be through advertising, film, photography, fashion, or theatre,” Swisher said. “I have some fun stuff in the works and cannot wait to see where the road takes me next!”
To learn more about the College of Creative Arts and Media, visit https://creativeartsandmedia.wvu.edu/.