The creation of a Ballarat artist - who has chosen to go unidentified until after the White Night event is finished - the dress is a product of nine months' preparation, and is created from a majority of recycled and secondhand clothing, with the addition of a few new pieces.

"I would have preferred to have made the entire piece from upcycled material, but sometimes that's just not possible."

The wings of the angel were made with assistance from some very clever people in the city, says the artist, while the mask has been hand-painted for the night.

"I'll be making modifications to the costume up until the night, I think," the artist says.

White Night Ballarat 2019 runs from 7pm Saturday September 21 until 2am Sunday September 22 with installations, lighting, exhibitions, performance, film, music, dance and more scattered throughout the streets, laneways and public spaces of the city.