Lauren Hadley, "Lab".

I did not know how much help I would be during lab hours because I do not have much sewing experience, but I had a lot of fun. My first hour of lab, I had the opportunity to sort through clothes which were pulled from the closet to be used for extras. I sorted through a rack of potential wardrobe choices for the Customers, Strollers, and Miscellaneous. Once I did that, I then separated the clothing options into Male and Female. With only a few moments left of my hour, an actress came in for a fitter and she was going to be a customers. The customers for the play are to be dressed in autumn colors; browns, oranges, yellows, and to be seen as more peasant-ish. She was very petite, but I was able to pull a white, collared blouse, and paired it with an orange, floral skirt with a lace trim. The outfit was just the right size for the actress and did not need any additional alterations.

During my second day of lab, I worked with Alyssa in creating the red and blue handkerchiefs that the extras would wear. We went into the storage and found the perfect cotton red and cotton blue material. We then choose the desired size we wanted them to be and cut out pieces from the fabric. Once we had 20 cut out pieces for each color, we used the serger to finish the edges and made them look more clean and finished. 

Costume Critique of Death Comes To Pemberly Episode 1

Death Comes to Pemberley Episode 1

A Costume Critique

Overall I believe that the costuming was suitable. The costumes were suitable to their purpose, and extremely period accurate, however there was much lacking in the way of character expression. The costumes had more to do with the role the characters played in the episode than how well they suited their personality. Marianne Agertoft was the costume designer of this miniseries. 

Lovers of the original and witty characters Miss Austen invented will disappointed not only in their portrayal by the actors, but also their presentation. 

Mr. Wickham--charming, vivacious, manipulative, devilish, and freaking amazing in a bright red coat. At least that is how I remember his character from the book and the most classic, long movie version. Instead, we only see him in dark, somber, black. The dark coloring most definitely connects to his role in the first episode of the series, as a man who "brings death to pemberly". His costuming offers a foreshadow to the storyline, but is disappointing when representing the actual character.

Elizabeth Darcy (Bennett)-- a pretty girl, second only to Jane (yes the person they cast as her bothers me A LOT), smart, witty, bright, interesting--how could Darcy help but fall for her? But looking at her in this series is again quite disappointing. In the classic movie version (with Collin Firth) she is usually found in white/bright clothing that matches her bright personality and quick thinking. In this series all of the costuming choices for her seem to be so DULL. Absolutely uninteresting. Also, so far her personality is quite altered. She is not witty or hardly interesting. I miss that spark in her personality. I suppose the costuming matches the role she is given. But it is so absolutely disappointing to see such an amazing character major character being brought down so much.

And Lydia, who married poor and fast is the most extravagantly dressed character. For once the personality and costume matched well; however Lydia's situation was carelessly forgotten. She married the scoundrel with the destructive personality and no sense of responsibility, and being no better herself, they would have ended up being quite poor, I'd imagine. Yet when we see her she is wearing a luxurious red dress that is absolutely stunning, with lots of interesting embroidery and fancy stuff. WAY nicer than the dress being worn by Elizabeth, who married basically one of the richest men in England.

Most of the other character costuming seemed tolerable, I suppose (heehee). But come on! The foreshadowing is really being laid on thick with the costumes. The ghost woman in the woods, wearing dark bloody red--then later in the episode, Wickham coming out of the woods covered in blood. Georgiana dressed in a gorgeous romantic gown-->BOOM, suitors. Some subtlety please!!

I realize I may be a little harsh, and I admit most else was done extremely well. Several maids, cooks, horse worker people, servants, like everyone looked really fantastic. It must have been difficult and time consuming to create costumes that were so convincingly period accurate. I was impressed with how well the extras and minor characters were done. I was just particular about the costuming of the main characters, because it was like seeing close old friends of mine, and wondering "What on earth are you wearing? That is SO not you".

*BONUS* remember that gorgeous dress I mentioned that Georgiana wore. It is light green and flowy with embroidery/beading on the neckline and sleeve, and this cute ruching on the sleeve. A sort of Greek feeling... Just so cute. Definitely my favorite outfit of the episode. Sorry I looked but I couldn't find a picture of it...:(

Lauren Hadley, Costume Critique

Because of the crummy weather this past weekend, I did not feel bad about staying bundled up, watching Netflix over and over again. The Netflix show I am addicted to right now is an all-time favorite of mine, and a how I can never get sick of; F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

The Costume Designer who was the creative mind behind the famous 90’s looks in the hit tv show, FRIENDS, is Debra McGuire. It was incredible because Debra was the loyal costume designer for all 10 years, and 10 seasons of Friends. Not only is she a costume designer, but Debra is also a Fine Artist and Fashion Designer. She is currently working one another comedy show, New Year. Debra stated in a past interview that, “on an ensemble show like “Friends,” it’s imperative that each character have their own “look” – especially when the show is new.

I too believe that it was very important for each character on Friends to have their own iconic look because it was a way to show their individual personalities and separate them as characters. The one character who I connected to the most and whose wardrobe I envied was, Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston. I especially loved Rachel’s outfits during the beginning seasons. When creating Rachel’s wardrobe, Debra said, “Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel was given a palate of greens and blues.” During the first season, Rachel wore a lot of denim, plaid, and high-waist bottoms. It is interesting because all three of those fashion trends are back in-style now and can be found at many clothing stores. When shopping for new clothes, whether it be at the mall or at a thrift store, I often find myself thinking, "What would Rachel Green wear?”

As the 2000’s came around, and later came out, Rachel Green’s style developed more and more. She was no longer wearing, 90’s casual looks, but now had a more fashion forward, professional style. With a new job working for Ralph Lauren, Rachel work more black and red, and dressed more like a business woman with a sexy twist. 

A character on the Friends, whose wardrobe I was not a fan of in the beginning seasons, were both Ross Gellar (David Schwimmer) and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry). Ross, being a Paleontologist, was the nerd of the group. His style was more texturized and he wore more warm colors, and a lot of tweed and wool. He also wore a lot of pleated pants, cord pants. Chandler, however, working in the finance world, was a little more casual. He wore a lot of slacks and button downed shirts. His iconic look during the beginning seasons was, a button down shirt with stripes down one side. Although, I was a particularly fond of Ross and Chandler’s style during the beginning seasons of Friends, it was appropriate for the time period, the 90’s. However, as the seasons went on and their characters developed, Ross and Chandlers, style escalated and became more relaxed and attractive. 

Taylor Bobbitt: Costume Critique "Lord of the Rings"

       For this costume critique, I decided to watch Lord of the Rings, the 1st and 3rd movie. The reason that I chose the first and third movie is because the characters show the most contrast between the two. (1) The costume designers behind Lord of the Rings are Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor.

Young Frodo in the Shire

Young Frodo in the Shire

Frodo after the Journey in the Return of the King

       (3) I want to focus on the dramatic difference in costuming (with the same character) over time. In other words, as the characters changed over the course of the journey, the costuming did as well. I think that a prime example of this is with Frodo Baggins. When Gandalf came to the shire in the the fellowship of the Ring, Frodo was portrayed as a very happy and unbothered hobbit. When you look at his costuming, he's wearing white colors, very light and airy. His make up is bright and clean. The blush makes him look happy, healthy, and full of life. His hair is long and bountiful. It looks healthy as well. I think that Ngila and Richard were trying to portray a very young and carefree Frodo, one with youth and without responsibilities. I also think that they use this Frodo for direct contrast with the Frodo during or after the Journey, the Frodo that aged so much mentally and really got a little messed up in the head from that ring. Frodo at Mordor is almost an entirely different human being. Frodo went from being this loyal friend with control and morals, to a broken hobbit with nothing but an addiction to a ring's anger and power. Looking at his costuming, we can see the before and after effects of the ring and the journey to Mordor. His hair is shorter and dry (malnourished looking). His face is beaten, dirty, and dry. His chest is covered in dirt. His clothes are tattered and full of filth. His once white shirt is now brown. His eyes don't look nearly as blue and full of life and curiousity; they look full of misery and need. His costuming reflects this change amazingly with such great contrast. It's symbolic.

Gandalf the White

Gandalf the Grey

        Now, let's look at Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey (the Gandalf in the fellowship of the ring) is a Gandalf who is worn down with adventure. His clothes are simple and of an old, tattered, cottony fabric. His hair is greasy and wavy, as well as his beard. Later on, Gandalf goes through this resurrection-type thingy. He is reborn in a manner of speaking into Gandalf the White. The contrast is so great! His hair is perfectly straight and trim. His beard is perfectly white and trim. His cloak is simple and clean. His staff is white. All of these white things are symbolic of progression and strength and wisdom. I feel as though his character was developed well.
     (5) I would have to say that my favorite costume is Gandalf the White's costume . His costume is so clean cut and white. I can't help but see his character (as the White) as a dependable and clean character. He fights with what seems like more strength. His hair also stays perfect the whole time. It's quite awesome. I wish my hair did that.