Isaac Lee wins prestigious Royal Opera House prize
Year 10 pupil, Isaac, has been awarded Joint Winner in this year’s Royal Opera House Design Challenge.
The competition, which is aimed at the next generation of aspiring designers and makers, asked entrants to follow a brief for The Magic Flute. Isaac’s costume was designed for The Queen of the Night and was inspired by the Baroque period, with a focus on celebrating the agelessness of Mozart’s masterpiece.
“I explored the timelessness of the opera by placing it in the 16th-century Baroque era,” said Isaac. “The period is reflected in the exaggerated and flamboyant design. I was also inspired to research wider Baroque fashion and references, including those by designer Gianni Versace who used them extensively in his pieces.”
Isaac co-won the Secondary Costume Category, which he hopes will further his ambition to become a fashion designer when he finishes his education. He said: “I was really shocked when I heard the results as this competition meant so much to me. I believe it could be the first big step towards my future career.”
Isaac demonstrated a 360-degree appreciation of opera production by referencing the set design in his final garment. He said: “The beadwork on the outer skirt of my costume was designed to symbolise a starry night sky and referenced one of the sets created.”
Isaac will be attending a winners’ event at the Royal Opera House on 7th June, where his work will be exhibited in the Linbury Foyer, and he will have an opportunity to spend some time with the professionals. The exhibition will remain open from 8th to 21st June.
