The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht
Natella (Act VI)
Costume design by Louella Powell
Garment by Samantha Lemieux
UW-Milwaukee, Spring 2007-2008



Our most recent show, with which I had many, many beefs (mostly, because the theme was "Oriental" *shivers*)

This is the outfit of the woman who leaves her child behind in her flight from a revolution. She is a horrible woman, who is only worred about herself and her wardrobe.

This show really stuck it home that cheap (JoAnn's) satin brocade should not exist! It looks tacky on stage, and it's so ugly to work with. I still have glitteries all over my stuff from this show.

Anyways, onto more about the outfit. Self drafted pattern, I think I was the only person in the whole damn build not to use a commercial bath robe for their outfit (seriously - since when did any designer ever say "I want Chinese-ish! Lets buy some bathrobe patterns!"... oh wait, that's exactly what my designer said -__-; ) Not only is it shiny, but it is caked in trim. I never, ever want to have to put that much trim on a costume ever again, especially of these types. We basically upended the trim drawers that had been accumulating for decades, and used it all on the show. It was sickening.

I'm thinking of writing another drafting tutorial for tops like this and the Natella II top - what do you think? It's more complicated than kimono, but not too bad, I think.