"The Kemet Goddess Aset (Isis)" - a 2026 Salvage & Shine Wearable Art Piece

This wearable art piece was created eco-consciously by Alessandra Payne dba Salvage & Shine to exhibit at the 2026 Hannaford Kidz Expo.

The Costumes' Wearable Elements:

The Kalasiris dress is made from remnant stretch fabric and salvaged lace trim.

The waist belt is made from remnant stretch fabric and a velcro closure.

The Kemet neck collar is made from metallic vinyl and trim.

The golden cuff bracelets (set of two) is made from metallic vinyl and accented with rhinestone trim.

The Aset (Isis) headdress is made from headband decorated with salvaged and metallic vinyl, metallic trim, salvaged metal trim, plastic, pipe cleaners, and metal wire.

Additional Clothing Accessories:

The performer is wearing a flesh toned full coverage body suit for modesty, gold hoops (owned by the model), and repurposed sandals (owned by the designer).

Functional Art Considerations:

Historically, the kalashiris was made from linen and had one or two straps.  The straps traditionally held up the dress but did not necessarily cover the breasts.  In order to maintain authenticity while respecting current cultural standards for professional dressing, I added the flesh toned body suit as a modesty layer.  It was also a layer for added warm in consideration for the child participants and the child performer.

Because this costume was created for a performance art activity, the Kemet jewelry was created from fabric as opposed to metal.  Future exhibitions will showcase more metalwork as I continue to develop my metal smithing skills.

The headdress was stylized and the focus was on stabilizing the piece so it could be worn by the performer.  This piece was originally created for child performer and artist, Simone Sprague to exhibit at the Salvage & Shine "Welcome to Kemet Where Art Pays" Kemetic Poses Art Activity.

Meet the Performer: Simone Sprague (14)

What kind of actor/performer are you?

"I’m the kind of actor/performer who is very interested in analyzing the characters I play.

What type of performing activities you offer?

"I mostly act in plays, but I also sing and dance at events."

What was it like to dress as Aset (Isis)?

"Dressing as Aset was fun and interesting.  I am interested in Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) culture."

How can people contact you if they would like to hire you?

"I can be contacted by email at simonesprague123@gmail.com."

What do you like to do  for fun ?

"For fun, I like to read ,draw,and crochet."

What icons in acting/performing inspire you as a performer?

"There are many icons that inspire me.  My top three icons in acting/performing that inspire me are Sade, Lin Manuel Miranda, and Ryan Coogler."