Blue tights for the Joffrey

This is a pair of tights i just finished for a friend dancing at the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. They will be worn for a contemporary competition piece next week in NYC.
Wiping them out was a great reminder of my days in summer stock theatre where with zooming time lines i would often design a show over a weekend and see it open within the next two. I sketched these tights on Wednesday and Fedexed them on Friday. This rapid turn around is what i now refer to as "summer stocking it." As much as i like to putz and toil in the construction step of a costume, i have also learned how to make something rapidly that looks like to took many more hours of labor than it really did.

I started with a unitard i made out of white 5 oz lycra and drew a continuous stripe from ankle to ankle. Next i cut it apart, widened the stripe, and eliminated the material i didn't need from the torso leaving the strap over the shoulder.
Then i died the lycra pieces along with a yard of skate mesh a light royal blue in a hot water bath. Half way threw the dye i removed the skate mesh, and added a little evening blue to make the lycra a little bit richer. After the dye and dry i appliquéd the skate mesh behind the stripe drawn on the lycra, then i removed the lycra from the stripe leaving the skate mesh behind. Lastly i flashed airbrushed in a few other shades of blue, and then white and black high and low lights.

When does the Current fade on a social-LIGHT

The Magnificent Marie ball lives on. It has been over three months and my three lovely ladies keep showing up in the society pages. I'm surprised they're still getting press out of this event. It was a very fun design project, Astrid (far left) Kim and Alicia (third and fourth from right) were a blast to create for. Of course i did bend a few rules for the restoration look, however i was very refreshed to see some ladies missed it all together, notice the white little bo peep southern bell . Now this is a secret but one lady pictured here offered the fellow styling hair for my women cash to ensure her (plastic) wig out did my clients. Thank goodness he didn't take the bribe. Even if he did the saboteur wouldn't have had lady Amherst feathers, a sculpted peacock hair comb, or a rhinestone encrusted silk butterfly to top off her architectural hair. I'm on pins and needles to discover what next years ball has in store.

Arachno(photo op)

(pictured left to right - Rod Castle, Osito Founder - Myself- Garrett - Randall Jobe, evening coordinator- Marcus , Osito chairman)

This picture was taken this evening at the Osito Foundations fund raising gala at South Beach in Houston. When approached last Sunday to design and create an auction item for this Sundays event i jumped at the chance. Osito not only raises funds for children affected by HIV and AIDS they also donate thousands of Teddy Bears around the world to these children.
The black widow bodice has over 100 pieces and the tutu ruffles exceed 130 yards in length. I have to send a huge thanks to Tina, Mary Clare, Sandy, Garrett, and Kevin for all their wonderful help. As well I'm glad to report the the costume raised a very pretty penny during the live auction. The headpiece was my favorite part, look carefully there's even a fly caught in it's web. I also had fun doing Garrett's Cirque inspired make up. We are all excited to see this one out during next years Halloween block party!