Tess Howell's Victorian home in central Brighton looks ordinary enough.

But behind the red brick facade in Dyke Road Drive, there are fairies and flowers hanging from the ceiling, fronds of ivy, crystals and a toadstool to sit on.

A water fountain showers mist among the myriad fairy lights, glitter and images of fairies.

In their midst, Tess sits on her fairy-themed four-poster bed.

She is wearing a fitted mauve fairy dress with sequinned butterflies flying across it.

Her pastel fairy wings are garlanded with flowers, topped with marabou fluff and have sequinned scalloped edges.

This all might seem a little odd for a 27-year-old office manager.

Tess herself admits some people think she is away with the fairies, while others are just curious.

But her fairy fascination is all part of a sideline business she has set up which taps into the current vogue for bespoke services but this time people are ordering custom-made fairy wings.

Each set is unique. As well as taking commissions, Tess's wings are also sold at Greenwich Village, Bond Street, and Arkham in Sydney Street, Brighton.

As a child, Tess was not particularly interested in fairies. She said: "I first got into fairy costumes in Australia where I taught watersports in the late Nineties. Dressing up is very popular over there and lots of shops stock fairy paraphernalia."

Born in Rustington, Tess moved to Brighton just over two years ago. It was in a damp flat in Viaduct Road that she began her business.

"I came to Brighton hardly knowing anyone and first began making fairy costumes to lift my spirits.

"I like making handcrafted wings that are personally inspired by someone."

Tess has a wide variety of clients. Friends like to wear her wings night-clubbing, brides wear them for weddings, they are popular on the gay scene - a number of examples could be seen during the Pride parade.

They cost £10 for a set of gossamer wings and up to £100 for a multi-layered peacock set with beading, mirrors, sequins, stars and flowers in carnival size.

But there is more to Tess's interest in fairies than simply dressing up. She says it is about attitude to life.

She is fascinated by fairy folklore, which is an integral part of Celtic history. And it is linked with respect for nature. Tess supports The Fairyland Trust, an ecological charity which encourages children to develop an interest in nature.

She said: "The Fairyland Trust runs workshops for children on making gardens, creating fairy sanctuaries, den-making and playing in the woods. They inspire children with fairy stories. Children can be in nature, have fun and let their imaginations run free while respecting the environment."

The fairy phenomenon is one which Tess believes is likely to grow, especially in a place like Brighton, where a new fairy shop called The Fairy Kingdom has opened in Brighton Place.

She said: "You might imagine people would think me strange, shopping in the supermarket in my fairy wings. But people's reaction is very friendly and curious.

"I explain to them I dress like this when I feel like it, because I enjoy it, not just to go out. And that I do like fairies and believe in them in my own way.

"People are reaching out for a little more magic and inspiration in their lives. Fairies can offer that."

For fairy wing commissions contact tess@magicwings.co.uk
Report by Sara Todd