Costumes

Throughout my life, I have had a passion for costumes, particularly during Halloween. My godmother, Kate, who was an experienced seamstress, made me some incredible costumes when I was a child, like a butterfly costume when I was in kindergarten. My mother and I also put together some great costumes, such as my mime costume. My mother was also skilled at sewing and had experience in theater work when she was younger. I had always wanted to learn how to sew, and I got my chance when I moved to Berkeley, CA, in the early 2000s. I joined a group of costuming enthusiasts specializing in reenactment ballroom events, including The Great Dickens and Renaissance fairs. I loved creating wearable works of art that didn't hang on the wall. 

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I started by sewing circle skirts that flowed out on the dance floor, and I would find tops to match them. At one point, I went to a store up the street to buy second-hand Frederick of Hollywood corsets, which I painted, beaded, and later reboned. When I joined the Silk Road Caravan dance troupe as a veil-belly dancer, all my performance outfits were custom-made from head to toe. I also hand-brush painted the veils I danced with, except for my first black veil and the blood-red veil that inspired my obsession with veil painting. I had more veils than I knew what to do with and sold some to help support myself when the 2008 crash happened. 

 

In 2011, I returned to Napa and enrolled in Napa Valley College, starting my studies in the Technical Theater department. Before the costuming professor retired, I could study costuming through the department, including over the summer. When this professor left, it was a sad day as I saw her department get dismantled. I was no longer allowed to focus and master one field of interest, and I was no longer allowed to sew, so I moved to graphic design.

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After moving back to Napa, I rarely attended balls and events while taking up full-time studies and working part-time to sustain myself. I lived 1 hour and 30 minutes from the closest event, but my love for sewing and working with fabrics remained strong. In 2018, I became a Napa Valley Quilters Guild member, where I honed my sewing skills, making items such as purses, bags, organizers, belts, bears,  and art quilts. I continue to learn and educate myself while sharing and teaching other students the art of sewing.

 

* Together, my mom and I worked on most of the ballgowns and dance outfits created.