As an avid reader of fantasy stories, and through her enjoyment of science fiction film and television, Vanessa Harsant was led towards specialising in costume for the final year of her Bachelor of Design (Fashion). Vanessa's interest in design began with imagining and drawing characters from this literature. These illustrations have been and are heavily influenced by darker images. After discovering manga graphic novels, she also developed an interest in music via the Japanese subcultures associated with these narratives. 

The first brief, “What Shall I Wear to the Revolution”, suited Vanessa’s design style as late-Rococo and French Revolutionary period fashions were as elaborate as the characters in her drawings. Vanessa's garment is for a female member of the French royal court, just prior to the Revolution. The outfit is suitable to be worn out-of-doors and thus exposes the shoes and ankles of the wearer. It consists of several layers of garments, including petticoats, a bum roll, chemise, stay, stomacher and a dress.  

Vanessa's contemporary garment is inspired by the notion of obtaining or losing wings, which is linked to her fascination with the darker side of her interests. For Vanessa, the theme, “At the Stroke of Midnight”, implies transformation. Wings, as a symbol of strength and ability, demonstrate that the costume’s character has strength but that it is also vulnerable to change.

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