Costume Construction

As part of our performing arts btec course we have to constructed a costume that is made well enough to be performed in. As rock challenge is a big part of school life here at kings langley we thought we could tie the two into together. This means we will be constructing costumes for our rock challenge performance that will be performed in both febuary and july.

Our theme is Midsummer Night's Dream and we have been asked to construct the costume for the fairy scence. We were all very happy when given these costumes to construct because it meant being able to make them very pretty and over the top so they are seen on the stage.

I have made a costume for one of Titanias fairies. I have used netting and elastic to form the basic skirt. I have added strips of silk like material in a range of different colours. The colours I used were hot pink, pale pink and pale yellow. I used these colours because they compliment each other and will really stand out on stage. These colours also match the theme and will fit the scene perfectly. For decoration I have added leaves and roses to the band of the skirt. This adds effect to the skirt and will make it stand out more on stage. The costume will be worn with a coloured leotard and tights. The colours will be decided according to the different colours on the skirt. All the colours will need to compliment each other. I have to ensured that the costume is made well, and that it fits correctly. It will have lights underneath to add effect.

I will also help to make the main character costumes such as Titania, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed and Cobweb. These costumes need to be bigger and stand out more than the other fairies. These are the main fairies so elements of there costumes will be different. I will be spray painting Titanias costume silver. She is the queen of the fairies so needs to stand out the most. More decorations such as roses and leaves will be added to these costumes to make them stand out more. The colours will go according to the character. Titania is the queen so she will have a mix of all the colours. She will also be wearing a tiara with roses added on to it. Mustardseeds costume is a mixture of different shades of yellow, Peaseblossom is wearing a range of purples and green and lastly Cobweb is wearing a gothic inspired costume. This gives each main fairy an individual look.

This is my finished skirt. I am very please with the way it has come out. Obviously in the picture it's laying down but when it's on it has a nice shape and the strips of material fall nicely. I secured all the strips tightly onto the waistband so they don't fall off during the performance and when being taken on and off. If I was to make another skirt or I had more time, I would sew on more strips onto the skirt to give it even more body. I might also think about adding a few more colours without making it look too over the top. I would add more decorations but wouldn't want to take the attention away from the four main costumes.