1930's Evening Gowns

These pictures are from www.TheFrock.com - if you've never seen this site you have to check it out, it has the most amazing vintage dresses.

In Costume Construction class I'm learning to drape bias cut dresses. For my final project I'm draping a bias cut 1930's evening gown - which I'll post pictures of when I finish sometime next week. I'm really excited about the project because I've wanted to make a repro of the blue dress above. It's from the 1930's and was worn by either Norma or Constance Talmadge, sisters who were film stars from that era. When I first began working at the PA Fabric Outlet I spied an amazing silk satin (I think it's crepe backed?) that is dip dyed just like this dress! I just had to have it and spent sooo much money on it! But it will totally be worth it once I get the dress done. I've been waiting to make it until I could learn to drape bias cut dresses - it's so much easier than you would think. I was really surprised how easy it is to drape something - you would never think! This summer is going to be amazing and filled with lots of learning opportunities.

The other day I was surprised to be the recipient of an award - the Oliver Smith Award for Excellence in Design and Production in Costume Design. Awarded by the Penn State School of Theatre. I had no idea that I even had a chance at getting it - but I did. It made my day because it was such a surprise!

Classes are finally over - they ended today! Next week is finals week. I had time after class today to check out the 'works-in-progress' exhibits that my undergrad and grad classmates put up. I didn't have to do one this semester. There was some amazing work exhibited. It made me really excited about the field that I'm going in to. I'd really like to go on for grad school if I get accepted into a good school. Next year I'll have to go to New York to show my portfolio - most grad schools that are part of URTAS go there to review student portfolios. After that students recieve offers from the schools - it isn't like when you're an undergrad and you apply to the school - not unless you want to get into a school like NYU or other big name schools. I'm not sure I'd be ready for that - I'd probably need to take time off from school to build up my portfolio before I could get into any big name school - I think...