It all began with a braid...
SOTU began preparations for our annual collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Arts gala with a theme ("Arts Stars"), an inspiration board cluttered with images of 1930s circus performers, Marlene Dietrich, vintage couture gowns and more, and a roster of our amazing performers.
Inspired by the classic circus sideshow with a dash of surrealism, the SOTU design team got to work on the first piece of this exciting new costume collection...
our own Bearded Lady!
Our costume design interns were up to their eyeballs in handmade braids while we brought this gorgeous gown to life!
Things got a little hairy as we added the finishing touches.
*Ahem*
For our sensational SOTU talents, Amanda, Michael Saab, Rachel Rosenfield and Victor Sho, we envisioned a celestial touch of Swarovski crystals, mirrors, glitter and even a few LED lights to brighten up their amazing aerialist, fire breathing and strong man performances.
Costume design intern Susannah helped select crystals and sew these fabulous pieces at the SOTU studio in Brooklyn.
In an act of true dedication to her unbelievable Man/Woman costume (and our pastel color palette), Ami even dyed her hair to match!
Just wait until you see the completed look...
With all of our costumes packed, and Amanda's giant moon safely on the plane (try explaining that to an airplane baggage attendant), we made it to Detroit with plenty of time for set-up at the museum...thanks to our driver Chad and his epic limousine.
Makeup and costume prep started bright and early the day of the gala, with the museums Lecture Hall doubling as our private dressing room.
(Sorry about all that glitter!)
SOTU model Anna MacKinnon was a perfect fit for the Bearded Lady, complete with custom mustache and mini hair top hat!
These lovely SOTU "twins", Jaclynn and Samantha, were a hit with guests in our Flower Girl costumes...and certainly developed a knack for keeping a towering SOTU headdress in place!
Baby pink, lavender and pastel blue hair color (thank you, Manic Panic) was just the icing on the cake of Ami's fabulous Man/Woman ensemble!
The SOTU design team worked painstakingly to stitch together the lovely side de femme to the diviner side d'homme to create Pastel Laurent Armando Goodheart.
Samantha kicked off her stiletto heels backstage before her final costume change...
...into one of our favorite twin looks, the Dolls!
Victor Sho, our devilishly handsome Strong Man, took a break from tearing up the dance floor to pose with our lovely Dolls.
As I'm sure you can imagine, quite a few heads turned that night!
As museum guests partied late into the evening, SOTU aerialist Amanda Topaz had a dazzling performance on her moon suspended from the museums ceiling.
The gala came to an end, as all parties must do, and we bid adieu to the Detroit Institute of Arts until next year!
We can't wait for another spectacular SOTU night!
