Social Observation from a Costumer

The three muses of Costume Design (according to me) are Observation, Research, and Bullshit. Observation and Research require more insight than a lot of people realize, a lot of creating a character is also looking into social behavior and history. It is in this context that I have pondered pantyhose deeper than I'd ever thought possible.

The Old Settler up at Writer's Theatre is set in 1940s Harlem. Stockings in the 1940s came in colors like "nude" but of course, it's my nude color, not the nude color of the ladies living in Harlem. So women with any skin color that didn't match Barbie walked around with funny-looking nylons. Nan Cibula-Jenkins, the costume designer, made the choice to have the girls' pantyhose match their skin tones to appeal to a modern eye. I supported the decision and went off in search of pantyhose with back seams in a variety of "nudes". No such luck. After hours on websites, in stores, on the phone, discontinued products and backordered colors, the best resolution was to buy back seam pantyhose in Barbie doll nude and dye them. I guess we haven't come so far after all.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It's true what they say about Chicago winter, it's bone-chilling cold. But it's also a big city, and this city girl has places to be and people to impress. I've finally found the secret. I got myself a pair of Timberland boots, ultra-cute black suede ones with a rugged sole that are waterproof and super toasty. I've been grabbing all kinds of big men's wool sweaters at thrift stores (I just found a fantastic Brooks Brothers argyle cashmere for $3) and wearing them over skinny jeans. Big wool sweaters. It's like being wrapped in a blanket all day. Warning: accessorize well so it doesn't look like you're wearing your boyfriend's clothes. Otherwise, cute boys will refrain from hitting on you and everyone else will roll their eyes with that "so that's where you were last night" look. Unless, of course, that is where you were last night.

Smart Chaps

I love this. 

Sigh...

More fashion porn from the fabulous Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Enjoy.

A Toast to St. Catherine!

I'll be there celebrating, will you?

(St. Catherine is the patron saint of milliners!)

Bounty of the North

I'm back in Chicago and starting to get into full swing with "1001" at DePaul. It's weird to be back at my school as a quasi-adult professional, but it's a great project. The play is a sort of mash-up of contemporary hipster-y grad students in New York and a fantastical Arabian Nights storybook. Pretty cool, huh? I've been scouring the Chicago fabric market before I make my Mood order, and once again Devon delivers. Yeah, Devon Avenue, way up north and specifically, the Indian/Pakistani neighborhood that hovers just west of Western. Besides the great food (the whole street smells like curry!) and tunes (even a pasty girl like me can bust a move), there are endless fabric stores and sari shops. Sari fabric is usually one 6-yard length, not too wide, in any color or pattern you can think of, with one end of the length having a big chunk of decoration. The colors are so beautiful, and the polyester sari fabric totally looks like silk on stage. I also picked up a salwar kameez, a type of women's pantsuit, and found all sorts of things to return for. I also love getting star treatment and haggling with the shopkeepers, it keeps the transaction friendly and personable. I concluded our shopping trip with a popsicle. Overall, not a bad day at work.

Fashion Porn

Oh. My. God. Check out the duds in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers' upcoming Vintage Couture and Accessories sale. Every girl needs a take-me-out dress, but these might knock out your date altogether. 

I also visited the Isabel Toledo (the fabulous designer who did Michelle Obama's inauguration outfit) exhibit at the Museum at FIT in New York. Talk about inspiring, I keep dreaming of making myself a copy of her apron dress, which is SUCH a Whitney dress anyway. So many projects. I technically have all this time now (I left my day job!) but somehow time and creativity are inversely proportional. Sigh. 

Glamour on Seventh Avenue

I've been in New York City for the last few days, seeing some friends and doing some shopping. This is where you say, oh, poor Whitney, shopping in New York, life must be tough. Allow me to explain (costumers everywhere understand) that this is my job. Sure, it would be lovely to flit in and out of a shop here and there, have a long lunch and then head out. Nope. Not even a little bit. More like lugging a huge shoulder bag filled with paperwork while negotiating Midtown Manhattan on a ninety-five degree day in high heels and a (new, adorable Zachary's Smile) little flippy dress, while keeping a professional eye and a smile. Just another day at work. On the plus side, I was a swatching machine and found lots of great fabrics for "1001" at DePaul. I also stocked up on some millinery supplies and, well, indulged in a Fat Witch brownie. Mmm.

Small Town Shopping

I'm visiting my parents and their small, mostly agrarian community in Upstate New York. And it is so fabulous. A person can breathe real air and eat real vegetables and see real stars. The little towns around here are a bit surreal; two-block downtowns with beautiful old storefronts, only half full, with diners and antique shops. 

The preferred thrift store of my mother is The Community Clothes Closet, and just a few steps away from the farmer's market. This shop is now a Saturday morning tradition. It is run by a beautiful, sweet old woman who is genuinely delighted to have you there and to be there herself. She comments on how beautiful all of your findings are, is always curious to know what you're going to do with them, why you selected them and practically gives them to you. I got a set of four hand-tatted linen placemats with matching napkins (in a cool deco-y pink color) today for $0.50. Really. 

Now I have a real belief that anything used or vintage or antique should be respected, not only for their value, but for their experience. Sure, my funky 1950s cocktail dress may be quite the hit at an opening night. But, a girl's gotta respect that that dress has been out dancing and drinking and has seen all sorts of parties before it ever got to me. So many thrifting experiences are in the move-the-most-junk vein that finding that moment of respect for a pair of vintage potholders (how much chicken soup did they see? how many pies did they take out of the oven?) never happens. The woman at The Community Clothes Closet encourages the wonder in the world of thrifting, which makes the treasure hunt all the more rewarding. 

Thrift Store Find of the Week

A funky, fabulous 1960s (?) hat with this great Venezia label. $2.50. 

The Yellow Flower Hunt, Part II

More options, less flowery, again at Tinsel Trading. Awesome. 

Yellow Flower Hunt, Part I

So a very dear friend of mine is getting married come September, and she wanted a funky vintage-inspired hat with a little veil to replace the whole shrouded-in-white bit. And she really wants a yellow flower on it. Mission: to find the best yellow, funky, vintage-inspired wedding flower in the world. Of course, I started at Tinsel Trading...

Thrift Store Find of the Week

A real wool Deerstalker hat! As modeled by Mr. Holmes. Great condition, British-made and smelling very much like moth balls. $3. Awesome.