It has been awhile since I last wrote a blog post, BUT... I can explain! This semester, I was given the AMAZING OPPORTUNITY to be the costume designer for one of the pieces in the Fall Dance Concert on campus! The piece that I designed was a sleeping beauty ballet called Awakened. I worked closely with the choreographer, Andrew Carroll, to make sure the designs fit with his vision for the ballet. Anyways, before I get into all the details, here are some pictures of the costumes I designed!!!! (All pictures were taken by Candace Kaw)
I watched the dance concert almost every night that they performed, even the dress rehearsals, and I still never got tired of seeing my designs up on stage. It was so rewarding and fulfilling. As far as my career, this opportunity was one of the biggest learning experiences I've had in college so far. I thought I knew everything that designers do, but I gained so much knowledge that I never had before and never even knew about. There were so many meetings to go to, people to talk to, charts to type up, swatches to find, renderings to draw, and fittings to attend. To be honest, it was a lot more time commitment and work than I had expected, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
It was sooooo flipping cool to be a part of and see the whole process. I saw my designs go from a conversation with the choreographer, to a concept on paper, to actual fabric purchases, to muslin samples, to the final costumes where we had to sew on each of the individual gems. I even made these really pretty beaded wire combs to go in the dancers' hair! All of this happened over the course of about two months. Personally, the hardest part was communicating with everyone involved on the team. I've been so used to working on my own, but when you are designing the costumes for a production, there are so many people you are working with, and it is important that everyone is on the same page and organized. Thankfully, I had my professor to facilitate with that, but it was still definitely a change I had to get used to. I am now much better equipped for the next production!
My favorite part of the process, besides seeing the finished designs up on stage, would be the little details. I loved laying out and sewing on the gems exactly how I wanted them. I loved making the little hair combs. I loved picking out the fabrics and the colors. I honestly had so much fun every step of the way! I am incredibly grateful and honored to work with everyone I've worked with, including my professors, the choreographer, stage manager, costume lab students, and costume crew. I hope I get a chance to design for another on campus production! Maybe next time it'll be a play! I'll keep you guys updated! Anyways, hope you have a super productive and fabulous day, as always!
XO, Lauren
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