When Magnhild Kennedy, aka Damselfrau, moved from Oslo, Norway to London in 2007, she began experimenting with design and costume making while working at a vintage store. She became interested in antique clothing and started to create theatrical disco creations by learning fashion design techniques on YouTube.
Though she doesn’t have an educational background in arts, she did grow up with two artistic parents. Her mom was an illustrator and her father was a sculptor.
“There was always art material lying around to make things with and I suppose it tuned my eye from an early age,” she told Vogue.
Kennedy is not particularly interested in masks. “for me, it’s basically about the materials and how to organize them in a small area so that in the end, they communicate something. I’m really more interested in decorating a space more than a body or a face.”
She started with making masks for a party and it grew gradually. She uses sequins, antique clothing, and found objects to create exquisite headpieces and masks.
In addition to her decorative masks, Kennedy also sells a small collection of jewelry inspired by nature.
