After talking with the talented performers I would be making the costumes for, we decided on a Victorian-isc Theme! I was so excited! The Victorian Era is one of my all-time favorite Eras!! Click on Victorian to see my reasearch. I briefly spoke of it here. After narrowing it down to a couple of designs for each person, and deciding upon a color palette, I began!!
I would be building a Crinoline Bustle undergarment. Here is the finished item:
After a fitting I had to reduce the weight by creating some openings:
I actually loved how you can peak in see the mechanics of the performer on her stilts!
She actually decided to perform also with only this understructure with a corset, other armpieces, and a headpiece I later created for her!
Here are her wrist pieces:
The layers of skirts can be removed or additional light-weight fabrics can be used for other layers which can always be added or removed.
I was pretty excited with the outcome! What I learned about this first experience:
- A stilt-walker costume take so much more fabric!
-Use slightly stiff but light fabrics!
-You do not know what it will look like until you see it on the performer with their stilts!!
The men's coat contains a detachable shawl collar and cuffs- he can switch out to match the women's costume with another fabric.
Men's Stilt Pants
I was so lucky to find the perfect fabric for the men's Stilt Pants. They were a light wool blend which contain a light layer of interfacing which gave it the perfect body and hang! You can purchase a pair here or a fancy Tuxedo style here.For variation of the women's costume, I also made an underbust corset to be worn with the sleeveless cotton button down I had made. This is an option to wear rather than the vest in the above photo.
Her hats! His is the only item I did not make- a nice black classic top hat!
I really enjoyed making these costumes, this was this first! My second- a Venetian Couple was my second! I will post photos later of this beautiful project!!
Note: The above three performer photos were not taken by me- please contact me for information.