Many costumes are spangled with sequins to give performers an extra oomph on stage! A memorable recent example would be the costumes from Taylor Mac's The Walk Across America To Save Mother Earth, gloriously crafted by Machine Dazzle. (Witness the Dazzle - warning, NSFW!)
A new costume restoration at Smallhythe Place in Kent, England, used a much different kind of sparkle:
beetle wings
The dress dates to 1888 and was worn by Ellen Terry when she played Lady Macbeth. Described as "emerald and sea green," the dress was made with 1,000 beetle wings and was restored at a cost of £50,000. Where did they get all these wings? The house manager, Paul Meredith, notes: "We had collected the beetle wings that had fallen off the dress over the years so that the conservator was able to re-attach many of the originals, plus others that had been donated to us - 1,000 in total."
Apparently, no beetles were harmed in the making. The iridescent wings are naturally shed throughout the beetle's life cycle.
Too "bugged out" by the real thing? Try these!
Have you ever used an insect or animal by-product in your costume design? Tell us in the comments section.
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