Aurora Terra: A Beauty Ode to Earth Inspired by Fossils
B.Sc. in Fashion and Apparel Design
Janice Marissa Botelho’s Aurora Terra, the winner of the Experimental Textile Award (Best use of unusual Materials), transcends women’s wear—it is a lyrical interpretation of time, of nature, of lost history. As the occasion wears Spring/Summer, the collection mixes liquid elegance with earthly substance, finding its muse way deep within fossils—those distant marks of life that converse through centuries.
The collection is designed for creative spaces—art events, exhibitions, expos, and networking areas—where fashion is not only a statement but a narrative. With silhouettes from short to long, asymmetrical shapes and draped layers emulate the natural strata formation of Earth and the structural intricacy of ancient ruins. Structured like sediment layers, with casement fabrics and fabric manipulation processes such as smocking, appliqué, and embroidery providing depth and tactile complexity.
Botelho employs casement fabric —a breathable, eco-friendly material that resonates with her story of respecting the planet. Her colour palette of beige, browns, and neutrals also resonates with the fossilised hues of rock, sand, and weathered bones.
Every single one of them is a wearable artefact that brings the toughness and subtle loveliness of nature into today’s world.
Accessories which are well conceived to mimic fossil shapes—spiral, crack, and impression—bring an added richness to the garment along with a sense of novelty and texture. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are well done to contribute to the look without overwhelming the delicate strength of the piece.
Fundamentally, Aurora Terra is a line about pause—about beauty in the old, the organic, and the mysterious. While time continues to march on, Botelho invites the wearer to pause, rediscover, and honour the untold stories of the earth in design that is as intelligent as it is breathtaking.
Lanchana Nanda pulled off a sneaky genius: she made the old-school Malnad comfort totally blend with current-day design smarts. Nothing clashes. Nothing feels forced. You get this spot that makes you think “hmm, am I in a boutique retreat or someone’s ancestral home?”