Sister Act

Today I visited The Grand in Leeds to watch the production of Sister Act. I really enjoyed this production. Unfortunately, since I watched the matinee, Alexandra Burke did play the part of Deloris but Joanna Francis, who played Deloris instead, did an amazing job. The costumes reflected the setting of the production, which was the 1970s, well so I was quickly able to identify the year through the use of platform heels, short skirts, flared jeans and pointed shirt collars. The Nuns costume were also correct and I could easily identify them as Nuns clothing. In the final scene, when the Nun were singing to the pope, I liked the fact that Deloris was still wearing something that identified as a nun costume but reflected her personality. This was done through making the costume tightly fitted and covered in sequins. The used of black and white and its placement also made her dress relate to Nun's clothing. I also liked the set since it worked and flowed well with the scenes through the use of disco balls, jail bars and lit signs. I also enjoyed the moveable element of it.

Visit their website at: http://sisteractuktour.co.uk

Staircase House

Today I visited Staircase House in Stockport. I decided to visit this house since I have decided to set my costume design module which is starting in September in the medevial era around the middle of the 1400s. This house is thought to have been built in the 1460s though unfortunately it has been laid out like a 1600s/1700s house so there is more information about this era then the medieval, still it was interesting and I saw a variety of decorative features on the furniture that could be great inspirations for future projects.

The Hat Works

Today I visited the Hat Works Museum in Stockport. This was part of my research for the Millinery module I will be starting in September. This museum was really good and showed a large variety of hats starting in the Victorian Era to modern day. There was also a floor that showed all the machine and hat blocks used in order to make hats. I gained a knowledge about hats and the felt making process along with the conditions that hat makers and milliners had to work in.

Machine, Hat Works.

This image shows one of the machines used to make the cones of felt which are used to block hats. The door of the machine would closed and felt fibres would be released. The fibres would be drawn to the cone by suction and then solution and water would be spray to keep the fibres together.

Hat, Vivienne Westward, 2005.

The designer of this hat is Vivienne Westward and it is bonnet made from straw with cotton ribbon which is patterned.

Hat Display, Hat Works.

This is a display from the museum showing a variety of hats made from different materials such as feathers, fur, suede, straw, silk, ribbon and velvet.

Straw Toque, Hat Works, 1980

This is a Toque that is constructed from straw and it has decoration made from netting and feather.

Java, Hat Works.

This is a Javanese hat that is made from satin and has decoration in the colour gold. This would have been worn by a dancer. This is one of my favorite hats due to the amount of decoration used on it.

Visit their website at: www.stockport.gov.uk/services/leisureculture/museumsandgalleries/hatworks/