Romeo and Juliet - Costume Details

Here are the stories behind putting together some of the outfits worn in our recent Romeo and Juliet.  The story of the overall design process and photos of the production are in the previous post.

The main sources for the costume pieces were:

- our own collection

- a bin full of unfinsihed samples and prototypes generously donated to us by clothing designer Alice Berry

- Annie's incredible shopping spree at the Salvation Army on a 69-cent Saturday sale

- loans and donations from Julia at Basya Berkman Vintage Fashions

- the closets of the actors and costumers

 

Romeo and Juliet - Costume Design

Last weekend, our high school students performed Romeo and Juliet.  They did a spectacular job with the deep emotions, the stage combat, and the lengthy script.  But what I am going to write about is the costumes.  Of course.

Eileen, our director, set quite a challenge for the costumes.  She asked that the look straddle the Elizabethan and the modern eras, expressing the timelessness of the story.  And she asked that the costumes be haute couture and edgy.

Vintage Metallic Trim

A while back, I posted about an incredibly lovely vintage silk jacket.

One of its many gorgeous features is the wonderful metallic braid trim.  Yesterday at an estate sale, I found a length of the same kind of metallic braid.  I am so excited to have some of my own!  There is a little over 5 feet of it.

Snowboarding Meets Antique Quilt

Really?  Yep.

The new US snowboarding team uniforms are styled with inspiration from an antique quilt.  

Take a look:  http://extramustard.si.com/2013/12/04/new-usa-snowboarding-uniforms-look-like-your-grandmas-quilt/

These will be worn next month at the 2014 Winter Olympics.  How fun is that?

A Quilt From The Heart

This little quilt carries more heart-felt love than pretty much any other quilt that has come my way.  Writing up its story seems a great way to wish everyone a loving and warm new year.

When the owner and I determined that it was far too damaged for a total repair, I decided to salvage the few remaining (sort of) intact blocks and border sections.  The rest of the quilt was almost literally hanging by a thread, just tatters and empty spaces between them where the batting used to be.  I hasten to say that I virtually never, ever advocate for cutting into quilts, but this one had such a wonderful history, that I decided it deserved a lot more than being relegated to the rag bag.  Here is the story, in the owner's own words.

Rhinestones

My friend Julia brought me this sweet evening bag made by the designer Judith Leiber, in need of repair.  An image search for "Judith Leiber bags" will bring you to a fantasy land of rhinestone-encrusted little bags. 

This one is quite tame by comparison, but I find it very classy and elegant.  It's two bags, one silver-tone and one gold-tone, attached to one another.  There's a double strap with each color of leather.  The closures are coin purse style baubles with gold and clear stones.  They were missing quite a few rhinestones. 

Favorite Quotes #4 - Art with Fabric and Art about Fabric Artists

Two friends posted links today to really delightful art by and about women who sew.  I hope you visit, and find a happy interlude to your day like I did.

Incredibly beautiful fiber art by Louise Saxton.  Thanks for sharing, Ellen!
http://thedesignfiles.net/2013/07/louise-saxton/

A lovely collection of paintings, of women sewing and of the sewing supplies we love to use.  Various eras, many styles.  Thanks for sharing, Julia!
http://stilllifequickheart.tumblr.com/tagged/sewing