We are officially ready to start working on our Etsy Shop! We spent several hours sorting through our admittedly overwhelming vintage clothing collection at both our downtown and on campus locations, looking at various finds, donations and things that we have no idea where they came from. Somone obviously looked wonderful in bright lemon yellow - I think we found at least 10 dresses in this particular color. The decision process was hilarious - Each dress was evaluated for color, size, condition and does someone in the shop want it? I personally have four or five dresses that are being saved for me, while Susan 1's daughters carted away several dresses each and Susan 1 herself has a lovely new suit (or 2). It's definitely one of the perks of the job that part of my closet does not reside at my house. The clothes are unique and stunningly beautiful - including a 1920s velvet flapper dress, an emerald green 1960s suit and a 1960s slit sleeve coat with a fur collar that I wore at my wedding.
There were some beautiful finds that we desperately wanted to keep, but unfortunately they were simply too delicate to put on stage, where clothes definitely take a beating - being worn for a week straight, covered in makeup and sweat and sometimes dragged across the floor. This is why vintage is not always a good thing for a costumer. They make great inspiration, but unless we want to watch them fall apart, we can't use them in our shows, which makes us sad sometimes.
This is why the Etsy shop was created - it will give some of these beautiful vintage pieces a happy new home and we'll get more shop space and some money in the bargain. As we put the shop together, I'll post some pics of some of our beautiful and unusual finds.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Who we are, what we do and are we completely insane???
We are the costumers of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, managers of the Lexington Stage Costume Collections - otherwise known as "The Susans."
This is Susan 1 - Costumer Extrodinaire, actress, mother figure, and general fix-it genius. Weaknesses - Organization, details (that don't relate to the actual costumes) and PCs. She has recently aquired an Ipad and considers it her third child. She can be bribed with chocolate
I am Susan 2 - Operatic diva in training, graduate student, and costumer trainee. Weaknesses - detailed sewing, the hemming machine, and Macs. Owner of the shop Corgi and can also be bribed with chocolate.
Two years ago, Susan came to the University of Kentucky to be the permanant costume designer for the Opera Theatre program. She inherited a disaster of a work shop, a slightly disorganized storage space and a TRULY horrible storage space. She also had 3 months to clean all three and put together a production of La Boheme. Between the two of us, we fought valiantly against mice, water damange, giant bugs and mildewy clothing to create our current workshop in the basement of one of UK's historic buildings. We freeze in the summer, roast in the winter, but generally manage to get everything done. Last year we completed the clean out of the TRULY horrible storage space and moved everything that was salvageable to our new space in one of the decomissioned dorms. Our slightly disorganized space is still slightly disorganized.
Since Susan 1's arrival, we have produced La Boheme (soon to be revived), Lucia di Lammermoor, the World Premier of River of Time, Die Fledermaus, the Magic Flute and a touring production of Get Stuffed! (also about to be revived), for the UK Opera Theatre. We have also contributed to two seasons of outdoor shows at Summerfest in Lexington, KY and are currently tackling the opening ceremonies of the biggest event to ever hit Lexington - The World Equestrian Games. While Susan 1 and her assistant franticaly create animals from bamboo and giant dancing hats (trust me, they're awesome!) I am trying to organize our collection so that we can start renting out productions and selling off some of our vintage pieces that are just too delicate to put on stage.
Helping the shop morale is my 6 month old Corgi puppy, Eva (the diva)
Two years ago, Susan came to the University of Kentucky to be the permanant costume designer for the Opera Theatre program. She inherited a disaster of a work shop, a slightly disorganized storage space and a TRULY horrible storage space. She also had 3 months to clean all three and put together a production of La Boheme. Between the two of us, we fought valiantly against mice, water damange, giant bugs and mildewy clothing to create our current workshop in the basement of one of UK's historic buildings. We freeze in the summer, roast in the winter, but generally manage to get everything done. Last year we completed the clean out of the TRULY horrible storage space and moved everything that was salvageable to our new space in one of the decomissioned dorms. Our slightly disorganized space is still slightly disorganized.
Since Susan 1's arrival, we have produced La Boheme (soon to be revived), Lucia di Lammermoor, the World Premier of River of Time, Die Fledermaus, the Magic Flute and a touring production of Get Stuffed! (also about to be revived), for the UK Opera Theatre. We have also contributed to two seasons of outdoor shows at Summerfest in Lexington, KY and are currently tackling the opening ceremonies of the biggest event to ever hit Lexington - The World Equestrian Games. While Susan 1 and her assistant franticaly create animals from bamboo and giant dancing hats (trust me, they're awesome!) I am trying to organize our collection so that we can start renting out productions and selling off some of our vintage pieces that are just too delicate to put on stage.
Helping the shop morale is my 6 month old Corgi puppy, Eva (the diva)
She reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and her general needs get us out of the basement for some fresh air every once and a while!
So as another school year begins, join all of us on our crazy tour of costumers, opera and organization!
Here we go!
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