Stilt Walking Costumes

For all the years I have been creating costumes it was not until last year that I had the pleasure to venture into the world of Stilt-Walking!  I began researching and gathering images - take a look at my "Stilt Walker" Pinterest Board.

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 colour 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.

Hats....

Cappello, Ilarius

Cappello, Ilariuss

 Everytime I see an interesting hat, 

                                          I  must know who created it!!

Francesco Balestrazzi

Borsalino

Borsalino

Ilariuss

Ilariuss

 

Francesco Balestrazzi

Borsalino  - click here to view more items and learn about their amazing story if you are not already familiar!

 

Francesco Balestrazzi- A contemporary dancer, who has now collaborated with major brands in the fashion world.  Find out more about him here.

 

Ilariuss by Ilaria Soncini-  "Through my creations of hats, I hope to investigate and question the status of women."  Here work can be seen here.  Illariuss the collection can be seen here.

 

All the above images are from Vogue Accessory March 2013-
"Curious Visions" by Rosi Di Stefano.

Cappelli- Collezioni A/I 2012-2013

 Hats...And Huge Hats.......

Marc Jacobs                                    Louis Vuitton

 

Marc Jacobs- A/I 2012-2013

Black and white with a touch of Red! 

John Galliano- A/I 2012-2013

Loved it, a touch of the past!

Louis Vuitton- A/I 2012-2013

Create for Stephen Jones....

Wow, a dream come true-- WORK FOR STEPHEN JONES!!

Well, not really work for Mr. Jones... but.. 

create from one of his patterns!!!

It is the eight pattern offered by SHOWstudio 

in a series of eight  "Design_Download".

Master milliner Stephen Jones has been going strong for three decades!  
Quick download this pattern, 

click on the photo above to take you to the site!!

Have fun creating!!

Photo: SHOWstudio.com

The First Ladies Day Hat....

made for a horse!

Thirty Hours to create the first ever Ladies day hat designed for a horse!

The hat, designed by Stephen Jones was inspired by Audrey Hepburn'shat worn in the Ascot scene of My Fair Lady.

Filly Amber, owned by a British biscuit company celebrated the 300th anniversary of Royal Ascot with a new hat!

Photo Via Getty Images

Philip Treacy Times Five!

So much talk about the royal wedding! I was never really in the hoop about it. I had to make a posting on the wedding with my top five favorite hats!!!

Even though the live coverage here in Italy, which is an all day event, went on a little long. I was certainly happy to see all the beautiful hats!!

Philip Traecy on the groom's cousins- Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice:

Then Victoria Beckham- much of the commentary in the news wondered how the hat was angled in such a manner, and stayed on her head:

Tara Parker-Tomkinson, the socialite:

Zara Phillips- I love this one!!

As a milliner, I enjoyed watching the snippets of the all day live coverage of the Royal Wedding.

My Contest Entry!

So sorry I have been behind on just about everything, I am catching up! Last week I checked my Deviant Art account only to realize there was a contest taking place entitled- "One Cat, One Fruit, One Clock". Click here to take a look at the contest!

My Entry:

"I am Late, I am Late, For a Very Important Date......"

My Concept:

Strawberry Shortcake meets Shere Kahn in Wonderland!

I was inspired by Alice in Wonderland-The Mad Hatter character,

The Rabbits pocket watch,

A spray of strawberries, of Strawberry Shortcake,

And the Jungle Books- Shere Khan!

I then printed the images on fabric and made my hat!

Wish me Luck!!

"Project Runway" and Philip Treacy

I love watching "Project Runway", but because it reminds me too much of my days in Graduate School, I would never remotely think of auditioning. Except for now! On this seasons Episode 4, the amazing Philip Treacy was a guest and judge, the challenge was to design and create and outfit to be worn with one of his hats!

I would have just love to meet and see one of the most amazing milliners of our time!

When checking out other episodes of "Project Runway", I stumbled upon the 'Auctions'. The garments for the challenges are auctined off!

You can see all the amazing Philip Treacy hats and from Episode 4 and the creations made to be worn with them at: Auction Challenge 4

Suprising to see what the winning bid creation is!!

Lady Gaga a Hat Designer?

Lady Gaga will be trying something new she loves- Hat Designing!

After meeting Philip Treacy at the the British Awards, she would like to move to London to team up with this amazing milliner.

"Mr. Treacy areet to give her an internshi when they met at the Brits. She hopes to take him up on the offer this summer. Lady Gaga has requested and internship but Mr. Treacy will have to check her sewing skills first."

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Millinery in Motion. Down the Catwalk!

This show would have been awesome to see in person!!!

Stephen Jones- Spring/Summer 2010

Wonderful Millinery!

September is National Fall Hat Month!!

What is National Fall Hat Month?

It is a point of the year where everyone should know to stop wearing summer hats, the straw stops here! It is time to start wearing some fabric , some felt , and fall hats in general !!

Even though I found information regarding this "National" holiday I was not able to locate the origins of it. In various sites, you can send in E-greeting celebrating Hat Month. Or if you prefer to shop, you can find fall and winter hats available for purchase.

"Jubilee" by Stephen Jones

In honor of National Fall Hat Month I chose some of my favorite Stephen Jones creations from his Autumn/Winter 2005 "Jubilee" collection.

In this collection Master Jones celebrated a quarter of a century of millinery madness.

Speed

Blithe Spirit

Mockba

Four design essentials were present in his collection- Innovation, Individuality, Romance, and Frivolity.

And what else would we need for the wonderful fall in come!!

Photos courtesy of stephenjonesmillinery.com

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A New Hat!

Recently I found some bamboo in the house. My husband had purchased it for some piece or something he had done and I found it lying around. (My husband has been creating art pieces for as long as I have known him.)

Quickly my head began to run with thoughts of what I could construct from it.

First thing this morning I took a look at my favorite milliner's site for inspiration. My list included: Philip Treacy, Stephen Jones, and Louis Mairette.

I will be incorporating some linen fabric I purchased at the Mercato on Saturday morning. (It is actually a skirt, the colors just caught my eye.) It will have a buckram base, and the exterior will contain the bamboo.

My design sketch is now complete! In between alterations I am finishing up for a client, my goal is to complete my millinery creation by the beginning of next week!

Check back next week to see what I have come up with!

More Hats!!

Who doesn't love the Royal Ascot?

A Trip in the Making!

Courtesy of stephenjonesmillinery.com

As I am planning my trip to visit the Victorian and Albert Museum I can not believe I am really going to view such an amazing exhibit.

The main purpose for my travel is to view Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones .

(It's great living in Italy!) London here I come!

The above picture is from his collection, Handmade in England S/S 2005 it is entitled, Maypole Style. This top hat is made of grey grosgrain.

Stephen Jones & John Galliano

Spring /Summer 09

The year of 2009 marks the fifteenth year that Stephen Jones and John Galliano have been collaborating to produce such magic.

"What really makes Stephen's millinery so unique is his personality - his elegance and refinement. Everything he does looks simply blown together. That is really the art of millinery and he is the best at it."
JOHN GALLIANO

"With John fashion isn't an act, it's for real. Every season is the most thrilling adventure imaginable. It works on trust; I believe in him and he believes in me. For a milliner, John is the best gig in town."
STEPHEN JONES

Wow! This sure is a match made in heaven!