Decked in feathers and draped in fabric, faerie fashion conjures up visions of mystical lands and magical beings. With intricately adorned hair pieces and glistening wings, designers Allyson Barlow, Harlequin Okikai Julian-Stewart, and Lisa Sandow capture the essence of supernatural spirits for the Faerieworlds festival at Mount Pisgah. From July 30 through August 1, visitors can scour booths and enjoy folksy beats with fellow faeries. Here, catch a glimpse of these distinctive woodland fashions.

Story by Victoria Davila & Charmaine Ng

Photos by Chris Parker & Ariane Kunze

1. Flashy faeries need only their wings to draw an audience. Amid a soft sea of lavender and cobalt blue fabric, lights run along the delicately serrated edges of Barlow’s wings. Dynamic curves and jagged holes add unexpected attitude.White puffs rest atop the antennae to finish off this deceivingly innocent look.

2. Only the most confident dare to slip on this shape-hugging leotard, complete with a dramatic, plunging neckline. Julian-Stewart’s onesie balances an attention-grabbing fit with prim Victorian-style lace layering the torso. This royal blue piece fiercely denies inhibition and embraces classic femininity.

3. A tiny crow skull surrounded by stark white and olive green feathers holds Sandow’s edgy flapper-esque hair piece in place. Complemented by fringed leather choker and lace-up boots, primal elements make for one bad-ass faerie.

4. This slip, accented by brilliant maroons and desert browns, leaves plenty of room to roam for adventurous sprites. The beige cotton base features airbrushed lace over a floral and tie-dyed pattern. A collaboration between designers Barlow and Sandow, this youthful garment harkens back to summer days that never seem to end.

5. Modeling her design, Barlow, layered in earthy greens and muted browns, spends anywhere from fifteen to thirty hours per week. Painstakingly handcrafted — some even lit by battery-powered lights — Barlow’s wings are not your average Halloween accessory.

6. This vivacious piece by Julian-Stewart celebrates the carefree atmosphere of the tropics. With swirling splashes of vibrant colors, this unconventional style breaks out a psychedelic pattern of vertical neon orange, pink, and green stripes. The turquoise tulle hem hits at mid-thigh, and shows the exuberance of this strapless dress.

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Fashionista Faeries