MAKING YOUR OWN COSTUME
Anyone who has been involved with an amateur dramatic society or in a fancy dress party as either a host or a guest will know that not all costumes are cheap as chips. Invariably the one you want is the expensive one and if you have more than one actor to dress then the expense can soon mount up. That is where the DIY option comes in handy. It does not even have to be a decision driven by cost. In a lot of cases people like making something for themselves and been a little different from the rest who have purchased standard burlesque costumes.
When it comes to making a burlesque costume or transforming a garment into s burlesque masterpiece. there are three main things to remember FRINGE , FEATHER and SPARKLE. They should be at the centre of any burlesque costume design.
Before delving into the basics of costume design it is worth taking time to consider the core or essence of burlesque. It is all about been challenging and different. If an audience turns up to see the actors dressed in something off the high street then you can see it just dosn’t quite fit into the burlesque ethos.
From our many years of working in the party and costume business we have heard directors / producers , on many ocassions bemoan the fact that the “players” are not engaged with the production. Getting individual actors to make alterations to costumes and props will certainly engage them. It literally brings the production home to them.
Equally as satisfying is the compliments you receive when you put in the extra effort and attend a fancy dress party in something truely unique. it maybe just a couple of extra sequences ot a feather in a cap. The DIY option can be more than a money saving excerise.