“The Lady of the manor”, explores a young woman who inherits a grand Manor House. Surrounded by heirlooms , furnishings , luxurious fabrics and timeless pieces. Experimenting with its hidden treasures, she reinterprets these through a modern and playful lens. This project blends heritage , craft and classic tailoring whilst also having a more contemporary , confident and elegant style.

Ellise’s work draws from the grandeur and atmosphere of historic interiors such as Chatsworth House, particularly the decorative richness and exterior architecture of manor houses from the 18th to early 20th centuries.

Using feminism as a lens to reinterpret traditional ideas of femininity, status, and domestic life (and incorporating interior details, historical references, and ancestral inspiration) the work aims to blend personal history with broader themes of women’s identity and empowerment across generations.

A strong theme throughout her research is corsetry, explored in relation to feminism and the changing role of women through history. Once imposed upon women as a symbol of restriction and societal expectation, the corset has since been reclaimed as a form of choice, empowerment, armour, and self-expression. This contrast between constraint and strength became central to the project. Historical fashion research, alongside the work of Vivienne Westwood, heavily inspired this approach, particularly her reinterpretation of historical silhouettes and her use of corsetry as both structure and statement such as the ‘statue of liberty’ corset.

When talking about her work Ellise said “I wanted to do womenswear. I was inspired by styles such as vintage romanticism and corporate glamour for evening / occasion wear. However, I also wanted the garments to feel versatile and wearable beyond special occasions, blending dramatic and decorative elements with modern styling so they could be incorporated into everyday fashion. This reflects the idea of bringing historical femininity and empowerment into contemporary life.”