Rockin' the Cradle

I recently designed costumes for a great show, The Cradle Will Rock, at Theater Ten Ten. It is from 1937, written by Marc Blitzstein under the auspices of the Federal Theater Project. It is my third Blitzstein production, and I have to say, each one has garnered me favorable reviews. I guess dark, gritty and periovocative* is my forte.

I feel a bit shy about posting reviews, but I love this review: the whole time I was working on the show I wasn't sure that what I was doing would work and I was really doubting myself. So to see that this writer really got it makes me so happy!

"Viviane Galloway’s charming, nearly comically conservative costumes (nothing is cut above the knee or below the collarbone) tie into the show's theme with superb accuracy, as does David Fuller’s directing."

One of the hardest characters to costume was Moll, who is arrested for Solicitation. She, like so many working girls, is out trying to earn enough money to live on because her factory job just doesn't pay enough. So I wanted to convey her sweetness, and her slight naiveté, and to show that her heart really isn't in what she is doing, but still make it obvious to a potential John that she was looking to make a buck. These days everyone thinks of a hooker as decked out in platforms and micro-minis, putting it all out there, but that look wasn't going to serve the story here at all.

I highly recommend seeing this production if you can. If you can't, read about the original production, directed by Orson Wells, produced by John Houseman, and shut down hours before it's opening! It is such a great and inspiring story in itself.

*like anachro-period, but even more vaguely so.

Peruvian Connection

I don't know how I got on the mailing list for this catalog--it just appeared in my mail box a few days ago--but I am glad I did! The clothes are beautiful, and even if I can only afford one piece a year from them, I feel that I am their newest lifelong customer. The style suits me to a T, and as I read more about the company I was very impressed by their values.

The PC website says, " We are happy to be able to share our success with organizations devoted to improving and enriching people's lives through better health, education and a healthy environment." Two of those organizations are Pro Mujer, a micro-finance institution that helps women in Latin America with a variety of programs, and The Textile Museum, located in Washington DC.

On their website are videos of their catalog shoots. The most recent was "shot close to home in historical sites of civil war-era Missouri, and the grasslands and rustic architecture of Kansas." There is one great moment where the model, walking down the train tracks, brings home the meaning of "thin as a rail."

"But what about the actual clothes?" you are asking. Well, here is a sampling of what they have to offer:


How about this elegant linen jacket to complete your late-Victorian or Edwardian outfit? Edgy enough for a Steampunk riding habit, too, I daresay. Switch it out for the sweater (above) when it gets cooler...



And this is why shoulder pads are back in style. Can't you just picture Veronica Lake slinking around in this number? Classic!


And wouldn't anyone would feel beautiful in this simple art nouveau style dress.


Every outfit needs some accessories!





These will definitely be going on my fashion wish list!

Lucky Odds

First, a very important announcement: Odds Costume Rental, after 22 years of serving the film, television and theater world, is going out of business. Considering rent in New York, and the odds of most theaters having the budget to afford rentals like these, I was amazed they were able to stay afloat so long. I suppose the film & tv budgets did the trick ( considering the number of police uniforms on the racks, I'm guessing the Law & Order franchise alone could have kept them going).

While I am very sad to see any business go under, I did take advantage of the fact that they are selling their stock to see if they had anything for our Steampunk wedding attire. Boy, am I glad I did. I found the perfect item for my groom: A lovely velvet frock coat, created by the talented folk at Euroco*, in perfect condition!

I won't guess at what was going on with the crazy alterations someone had done--I was just thankful they'd handstiched them and not shoved it through an industrial. After picking out the "darts" and giving it a good steaming, it was back to its old self. Won't my fiance cut a figure in this number?!

Go to Odds. You'll find some great stuff, they'll make some cash, and the costumes will live on.

Odds Costume Rental
231 W. 29th St.
Third Fl.
New York , NY 10001
Phone: (212) 268-6227
sale 10 am-4 pm
Cash Only

*see photos of Janet Bloor's silicone caulk techniques

Hope all this Sales Insanity isn't Temporary

Everyone is having sales these days: every day my Inbox is filled with offers topping off offers, plus free shipping, plus an extra discount...madness!But if you are lucky enough to have a little bit to spend, now is the time to do it. Newport News is giving you an extra 25% off your order if you enter Promotion Code 645.But it is just for today.

Perfect for an Airship Captaine:


Leather military jacket
Our military-style jacket, now in soft, supple leather with a double-glazed rubbed finish for rich character; distressed seams (Deep Brown only). Mandarin collar, button-trimmed bib and sleeves; waistline seaming with flap details. Double back slit. Hook-and-eye close. Not a Zipper, for the Period Purists like me.
Was $229.00 Now $69.00 Plus the 25% Discount!!!


She'll need these, too:




Multi buckle boot
Leather-look and microfiber. Stacked-look 4" heel. Imported.
Was $74.00 Now $59.00

If only they had the goggles...

Classic Victorian Romance:



Ruffled lace blouse
Romantic band-collar lace blouse with detachable bib of tiered ruffles. Full sleeves gathered at the ruffled button cuffs.
$39.00



This is rather lovely




Ruffled blouse
Romantic blouse with ruffle-trimmed deep V-neck, ribbon-accented flounced cuffs and peplum. Button front with ribbon tie.
Was $49.00 Now $29.00


Plus the loveliness from my last post is still available...