Phantom costumes - real and replicas

I think Christine's quickest changes are from Masquerade into Blue Dress and from Amnita to Wedding Gown, but nowhere near as fast as Carlotta and Meg. I have always suspected that before she rides the boat down into the Final Lair that they undo some of the dress.... I think this because in London she lies down until the boat arrives downstage, where she is lifted up, back hidden from audience view. In the US, she wears one of her capes over the dress. Both these maneuvers make me think they're hiding bits that are undone. I think I prefer how it's done in London, because I cannot imagine the Phantom giving her time to throw on this cloak whilst n that state of mind. Thoughts?

ETA There was one time I've seen the show that the change to the wedding dress was delayed. It was 2003, Broadway with Panaro and Kris Koop in one of her rare Christine performances. The violin that riff that opens the Final Lair went on for quite a bit of time before he dragged her on... it built a lot of tension!

MajesticPhantom wrote:I think Christine's quickest changes are from Masquerade into Blue Dress and from Amnita to Wedding Gown, but nowhere near as fast as Carlotta and Meg. I have always suspected that before she rides the boat down into the Final Lair that they undo some of the dress.... I think this because in London she lies down until the boat arrives downstage, where she is lifted up, back hidden from audience view. In the US, she wears one of her capes over the dress. Both these maneuvers make me think they're hiding bits that are undone. I think I prefer how it's done in London, because I cannot imagine the Phantom giving her time to throw on this cloak whilst n that state of mind. Thoughts?

Yeah, most European Aminta costumes have both hooks + bars and velcro in the back of the bodice. The former is in use in PONR, the latter is in use during the second boat scene. This enables the dress to be literally ripped off and lifted over her head WHILE she steps into the wedding gown which lies flat like a ring on the floor. Quite a maneuver, performed by a minimum of two dressers.

The US Aminta costumes have a zipper in the back, and though I don't know if this is the case I too suspect the cloak is added to conceal that they've opened the bodice in the back to make the costume change faster. I've always wondered how Christine get a hold of that cloak when kidnapped by the Phantom. Maybe they ran past her dressing room and through her mirror?

operafantomet wrote:This enables the dress to be literally ripped off and lifted over her head

Sorry. I blacked out for a second. What were you saying?

R.

Raphael wrote:

operafantomet wrote:This enables the dress to be literally ripped off and lifted over her head

Sorry. I blacked out for a second. What were you saying?

I was saying something along the lines of THANK GOD YOU'RE NOT A DRESSER...

Okay Raphael, you help with Christine's post-PonR quick change and I'll sponge Raoul down for his Final Lair entrance. Deal?

~LCD

Is there a reason only some Megs get the "angel chestplate" Slavegirl bodice and some get one of the plainer ones? Like Paloma Garcia Lee and Brianne have the former while Heather, despite having been principal Meg for the last several years, has the latter. And inversely, Sarah Combs is the first Christine (understudy or otherwise) that I've seen with the latter, though I'm sure that one was just because it was an existing costume in her size.

Just curious.

Viscountess wrote:Is there a reason only some Megs get the "angel chestplate" Slavegirl bodice and some get one of the plainer ones? Like Paloma Garcia Lee and Brianne have the former while Heather, despite having been principal Meg for the last several years, has the latter. And inversely, Sarah Combs is the first Christine (understudy or otherwise) that I've seen with the latter, though I'm sure that one was just because it was an existing costume in her size.

My own, private theory? They're cheaper (cheaper as in "needs less materials and work" not "cheap"!). In elder US pictures there's a fair mix of the ones with "appliqué collar" and "beaded collar". In recent photos there's more of the "appliqué collar" versions than the beaded one. It seems to indicate it's quicker to make, and/or needs less mending than those with beads.

Christine and Meg almost always gets the one with "bra" and "angel chestplate". Partly because Christine is to mimick Carlotta's beaded bodice, and partly because Christine and Meg echoes eachother. The exception is understudies, which seems to use the costume that fits them best. And then there's Heather McFadden. I don't know what's going on there. Might be that one costume fit her perfectly and they/she wanted to keep it?

Whatever the case, I've never seen a Meg or Christine being put in the "Valkyrie" version in the US. But several Megs has worn this version in at least Australia/World Tour and in Europe. Maybe because the one resembling it most in the costume design is blonde? The design is just sporting four different variations over the same theme, however, I think the designer just indicated different... eeer, boob sizes rather than different design.


The "Valkyrie" version. It's not my favourite. But I have a weak spot for it, because it's the most rare and least liked one... From the left: one of Maria Bjørnson's designs from 1986, current Broadway ballerina, Nadia Komazec in the World Tour, and Natasha Knight from Holland.

I received the Meg wig today from Paloma and I love it! I will take pictures of it on soon but first I need to figure out the pin curls/wig cap.

The wig is a bit on the darker side than I expected. More of a redish/brownish blonde instead of a very light blonde color.

The wig came in the bag from the maker (Rene of Paris). Along with the wig, Paloma also sent a pair of her ballet shoes, a signed playbill and a signed poster.

For storing the wig, I bought a vintage blue wig case and foam head on Etsy. I think this case is the perfect home for the wig.

Here are a few pics:

Apart from the whole debate "How the h... is this Maria Bjørnson's design", I find it interesting that the graphic designers of the brochure felt the costume was somewhat lacking, and photoshopped it to pieces. See that "panier" at the side of the skirt? The fabric comes from the hem, not the skirt, and the sheer ruffle disappears into nothing. The ruffles of the skirt hem is also photoshopped in there and vanishes magically. The roses of the skirt split also seems to come from the bodice? Don't think the pale train belongs there either.

LAUGHING SO HARD!

From Wanderingchild's Tumblr: http://wanderingchild.tumblr.com/post/25395458237/prima-donna-uk-tour

Stephanie wrote:I received the Meg wig today from Paloma and I love it! I will take pictures of it on soon but first I need to figure out the pin curls/wig cap. (...)

Whoa whoa whoa!!!! Awesomesauce!! Thank you so much for sharing those photos!

operafantomet wrote:

Apart from the whole debate "How the h... is this Maria Bjørnson's design", I find it interesting that the graphic designers of the brochure felt the costume was somewhat lacking, and photoshopped it to pieces. See that "panier" at the side of the skirt? The fabric comes from the hem, not the skirt, and the sheer ruffle disappears into nothing. The ruffles of the skirt hem is also photoshopped in there and vanishes magically. The roses of the skirt split also seems to come from the bodice? Don't think the pale train belongs there either.

LAUGHING SO HARD!

Argh. There's only one word to describe that costume: cheap.

Poor Maria, having these travesties claimed as her work. The graphic designers appear to be having some fun, though!

Stephanie wrote:I received the Meg wig today from Paloma and I love it! I will take pictures of it on soon but first I need to figure out the pin curls/wig cap.

The wig is a bit on the darker side than I expected. More of a redish/brownish blonde instead of a very light blonde color.

The wig came in the bag from the maker (Rene of Paris). Along with the wig, Paloma also sent a pair of her ballet shoes, a signed playbill and a signed poster.

For storing the wig, I bought a vintage blue wig case and foam head on Etsy. I think this case is the perfect home for the wig.

Here are a few pics:

Oh-so-pretty! If you look in that PDF of the book I mentioned to you, they have an excellent selection on prepping your hair in pincurls for wigs.

And you are lucky you got a front with the extra lace!! My Meg wig does not have one, but my Christine one does.

Also: you may want to invest $30-50 in a canvas wig block ... there is a specific way to put the wig on the wig block when it has lace in the front - you use a ribbon over the edge and pin that to the canvas. Like I mentioned before, it's all in the book

EDIT: for those of you wondering, Wig Making & Styling, is an EXCELLENT book... covers everything from the tools, making a wig and other pieces, types of wigs, styling, prepping hair, etc, etc, anything you could think of. One of my favorite "costuming" books. http://www.amazon.com/Wig-Making-Styling-Complete-Theatre/dp/0240813200

EDIT EDIT: (5,000 edits on this post sorry) - thought it'd be funny to share, I got my wigs in August 2010, and moved houses in September 2010. I guarded those wigs like they were my first born children. I wouldn't let anyone touch them, I had notes plastered all over them, and I had to transport them myself. LOL

artistkae wrote:

Oh-so-pretty! If you look in that PDF of the book I mentioned to you, they have an excellent selection on prepping your hair in pincurls for wigs.

And you are lucky you got a front with the extra lace!! My Meg wig does not have one, but my Christine one does.

Also: you may want to invest $30-50 in a canvas wig block ... there is a specific way to put the wig on the wig block when it has lace in the front - you use a ribbon over the edge and pin that to the canvas. Like I mentioned before, it's all in the book

EDIT: for those of you wondering, Wig Making & Styling, is an EXCELLENT book... covers everything from the tools, making a wig and other pieces, types of wigs, styling, prepping hair, etc, etc, anything you could think of. One of my favorite "costuming" books. http://www.amazon.com/Wig-Making-Styling-Complete-Theatre/dp/0240813200

I started to try the pincurls last night but I just got impatient and stopped. I'll try again tonight.

I definitely want to get a canvas wig block. I'm not a fan of the current one and the wig is too big for it.

And to echo artistkae - I took a look at the book she recommended. It is filled with useful and helfpul info!

-

artistkae wrote:I wanted to re-make Aminta but I won't have the money, and Anea is going to be in her fabulous replica, which I am NOT going to compete with!

Too bad. Two Amintas would make for one very happy apple.

R.

Raphael wrote:

artistkae wrote:I wanted to re-make Aminta but I won't have the money, and Anea is going to be in her fabulous replica, which I am NOT going to compete with!

Too bad. Two Amintas would make for one very happy apple.

R.

Send me some $$ and I'll make it

artistkae wrote:
PS all, might as well mention it since I've told a few others, but I'll be going to Vegas. I just hope my other costume sells so I can pay off part of my credit card

One thing - whoever I'm making a costume for, for the Vegas trip, I want to get a group photo of us I can't wait to see my costumes on other people

Pics are a must. Can't wait to wear my/your dressing gown.

-

artistkae wrote:

There might be a few people in costumes I made... I am so thrilled! I will be working my hardest on everything. Hopefully I'll get enough time to do my own costume

I honestly think this is going to be the best group of phans dressed in costume, ever. I am so excited!

I agree! It is going to be great.

Stephanie wrote:I received the Meg wig today from Paloma and I love it! I will take pictures of it on soon but first I need to figure out the pin curls/wig cap.

The wig is a bit on the darker side than I expected. More of a redish/brownish blonde instead of a very light blonde color.

The wig came in the bag from the maker (Rene of Paris). Along with the wig, Paloma also sent a pair of her ballet shoes, a signed playbill and a signed poster.

For storing the wig, I bought a vintage blue wig case and foam head on Etsy. I think this case is the perfect home for the wig.

AWESOMENESS! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures, so happy that you got the Meg wig!!! Now you'll have to post pics of YOU modeling it! :-)

operafantomet wrote:Yeah, most European Aminta costumes have both hooks + bars and velcro in the back of the bodice. The former is in use in PONR, the latter is in use during the second boat scene. This enables the dress to be literally ripped off and lifted over her head WHILE she steps into the wedding gown which lies flat like a ring on the floor. Quite a maneuver, performed by a minimum of two dressers.

Yesterday, from where I was sitting it was very obvious that Sofia Escobar's Aminta dress had been undone at the back before she got into the boat. She started off on her back, but turned over as the boat moved round and you could see it hanging open.

Guess who's got awesome new boots for her Madame Giry costume?



That's right.

~Madame~

Yay for Victorian ankle boots!

~LCD

Ooh, those are gorgeous!

Red Death in London has new shoes.

Killian Donnelly last year (after raiding JOJ's dressing room):



Si Shorten, also 2011:



Peter Joback, last week:

I need these shoes. All of them.

So Rococo... I love them the Louis XIV style

So I was poking around on Tumblr and looking at Phantom stuff and...



From: http://betsyphan.tumblr.com/post/20105200998/the-warehouse-where-phantom-costumes-are-stored

That is all.

~Madame~

Madame Giry wrote:So I was poking around on Tumblr and looking at Phantom stuff and...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/Trifari/tumblr_m1mruePjLY1qe93nho1_1280.jpg

From: http://betsyphan.tumblr.com/post/20105200998/the-warehouse-where-phantom-costumes-are-stored

That is all.

~Madame~

I think the question everyone is asking is WHY ON EARTH IS THERE EVEN A GARBAGE CAN THERE?

Viscountess wrote:

Madame Giry wrote:So I was poking around on Tumblr and looking at Phantom stuff and...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/Trifari/tumblr_m1mruePjLY1qe93nho1_1280.jpg

From: http://betsyphan.tumblr.com/post/20105200998/the-warehouse-where-phantom-costumes-are-stored

That is all.

I think the question everyone is asking is WHY ON EARTH IS THERE EVEN A GARBAGE CAN THERE?

So you can dump your own clothes there when grabbing a costume to wear....?