As millions around the world continue to self-quarantine, two British women are finding creative ways to make the most of their isolation.
Chloe Mead, 28, normally works as a dancer and performer in London. So when the United Kingdom announced last week that everyone “must stay at home” due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, she naturally wanted to find a way to keep busy.
“I woke up one morning and put my hair up and thought, ‘I look like Little My from ‘The Moomins’ right now,'” said Mead.
She began rummaging through her closet until she found a red coat, pink bow and boots to complete the look. Mead’s girlfriend, Harriet Clare, 29, is a photographer and snapped a few photos of the get-up so they could share with friends on social media.
“Everyone thought it was so funny,” explained Clare. “So we said, ‘Why don’t we make this into a challenge for people to dress up at home?'”
Deeming it the Covid Closet Challenge, the pair began posting polls asking users on social media which pop culture icons they’d like to see next.
Today's challenge options for @chloechubb, (votes also counted across Instagram as well) there are 8 choices #CovidCloset
— Harriet Clare (@hazzleberryfinn) March 30, 2020
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Requests came flooding in for characters like Mary Poppins, Miss Trunchbull from "Matilda" and Jack Sparrow, just to name a few.
Jack Sparrow pic.twitter.com/QlxS8yVN24
— Harriet Clare (@hazzleberryfinn) March 29, 2020
Even Joe Exotic from the wildly popular Netflix docuseries “Tiger King” got a shout-out.
Today’s winning challenge....🐯 Joe Exotic #TigerKing #covidcloset @chloechubb pic.twitter.com/OulvfrD1z8
— Harriet Clare (@hazzleberryfinn) March 29, 2020
“As creatives, we felt a little redundant and helpless at the beginning of our quarantine,” said Mead. “This has excited us so much because we've been able to use both of our skills and it's just a fun way to lighten the mood.”
Mead and Clare also revealed they spend up to seven hours each day designing costumes, shooting pictures and filming. Several of their recreations have now gone viral on social media, with many users praising Mead’s uncanny resemblance to the iconic characters.
Love this, thank you. Going to use it as part of my newly invented Homeschool module, ‘Guess the character, guess the film’ with my kids 🙌
— Honest Mum (@HonestMum) March 30, 2020
Wow. I can't believe you went to such lengths for this. The scissorhands is fabulous!! Well done 👍 👏👏👏
— onyx76 (@76onyx) March 29, 2020
this is hilarious and well-timed. Well done!! xxTIM
— Professor_Tim_Wilson (@Prof_tim_wilson) March 29, 2020
Although each outfit seems to be more elaborate than the last, the couple only uses clothes and props found around the house.
“I don't really throw things away so I have lots of bits of clothes to work into new costumes,” said Mead. “We have a lot of crafts stuff.”
Clare added the pair plans to continue dressing up each day until they stop enjoying it.
