Little News - BIG CITY!

I was so surprised today to see two recent designs of mine popping up in the NEW YORK TIMES...
I designed this tutu and tunic for Joffrey Ballet Dancers Amber Neumann and John Mark Giragosian for their “Paquita” adagio at the New York International Ballet Competition.
Who knew a couple yards of silk, lace, and some hand embroidery would travel so far, Houston to Chicago and then land in NYC at Lincoln Center.

Mark and Amber placed first in the entire competition, Bravo Bravo Bravo.
I have designed and built for Mark several times over the past few years, and he is always a pleasure and joy to work with. I look forward to many more costume adventures with this fine pair.

here is a piece of the review 6-30-09

"Ms. Neumann and Mr. Giragosian really danced this: the warmth and pliancy of her upper body, the courtesy with which he lowered her slowly to the floor from lifts and the keen musical ear they both showed were genuine pleasures, along with the glow they gave off in their costumes and the remarkable harmony they showed when doing the same movements. "

Get a Lift from this Parade Costume

SEWING WITH HELIUM -----

This years pride parade costume was inspired by the newest PIXAR animated feature UP.

After seeing this lofty adventure i went right to work creating my own gravity defying design.

(top left) I started by hunting down a weather balloon of my own, and draping a Slip cover / Harness over it. I constructed the slip cover out of the lightest poly lining material i could find.

(top right) Mom and Laura came by to check out the progress. After the Slip cover satisfied a spherical shape i airbrushed some ware , tare, and patches over the entire surface.

(above) The headpiece started with a mesh base, and i latch hooked several colors of crystal sheer threw the openings. Once the mesh was filled in with flame like fabrics i coated the entire thing with sealant, and hung it upside down to dry. After the addition of some sequins and a few bits of cellophane i attached it to a WWII inspired flight hat, and wired the inside with several colors of flashing L E D lights.

I made the gondola from several different stretch fabrics and steel skirt hooping.

The flight suit also hearkened back to WWII. I found great research and details for the suit in the book Gear Up , which is full of flight uniforms and great info. The suit is made from cotton sateen. It had 8 functional pockets, and i made it slightly high waisted to help with the proportion of the whole look.

(below) fun with photo shop.