THE DECLARATION: Green Design Inspiration

Today we hear from James Muzzi, the costume designer for The Declaration, currently playing at the Robert Moss Theatre (performance deets below!). We love how he transformed a vintage dress to bring Lady Louisa to life, all while staying eco-conscious.  Check out the fabulous results below!

The Cast of The Declaration

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From James:

The challenge was to create a low cost, green costume dress for a man for the production of the new play, “The Declaration."

The dress was inspired by Lady Louisa, the character for whom it was made.   I imagine that this character is a Long Island housewife who likes to glam it up to sell Tupperware.  (The Lady Louisa is based on a real life character named Aunt Barbara who is, in fact, one of the top Tupperware salespeople in the country.)  In the play, she is selling “Copperstone” to a crowd of political supporters at a fundraiser for our hero.  Aunt Barbara, like Lady Louisa, is a drag queen.  She is so totally glam that she wears this dress with long black gloves and a rhinestone bracelet. 

When I thought about Tupperware parties, I was drawn to the 1960s theme.  One of my first stops was at the 26^th Street garage flea market in Manhattan.  When I told the vendor what I needed the dress for,  she was whipping out evening wear like I was making something for the mother of the bride.  I settled on a 1960s cream brocade cocktail dress that I rescued from the flea market for $25. 

Vintage at only $25!

In building the costume, my goal was to use as much of the original dress as possible.  The challenge was to open it up to fit a man.  I removed the panels along the princess line and attached them to the shoulder seams to give the dress a little flare.  Then I added the black and white print cotton velvet print velvet, secured from the remnant bin of my closet, to gain the extra width needed for a queen-sized dress.

The extensions on the shoulders give the actor a prop to help bring his character to life.  For example, during the fundraiser he throws his arms up in the air, extending the tails like a bird, adding to the already over the top character. The Natural White cock bird feathers, secured from a street vendor in the garment district for about $20, add just enough flare without putting the costume over the top. 

In keeping with the green theme, the feathers were gathered from molting birds – no birds were harmed during the creation of this costume.

For $75, a trip to the flea market, remnant store and notions store in the garment district, Lady Louisa is green and glamorous.

The Declaration
benefiting Marriage Equality New York
produced by Off Sides Entertainment
Written & Directed by Rick Leidenfrost-Wilson

Sunday, June 19 at 5:45PM
Thursday June 23 at 6:10PM
Saturday, June 25 at 8:00PM
Sunday, June 26 at 1:00PM

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