When planning historical productions such as our Titanic show, or any of the others, you have to get as many details as possible correct in a period drama. Too often I see historical productions where it is very clear that the ladies are not wearing corsets, when playing characters who would have worn them, or a prop looks blatantly modern.
As far as is humanly possible, we try to use either antiques, or actual reproduction items, for our costumes and props. At the minimum, things will be made to look as they do on old photos and illustrations.
In our production of "Survivors of the Titanic", a primary character, is Lady Duff-Gordon. She was one of the first major fashion designers, with boutiques in London, New York, and Paris.
In one of her scenes, on board the Titanic, she meets other ladies whom she knows, and they sit down to look at some fashion magazines.
It was of course suggested that we print off some magazine covers of the period and stick them over modern magazines covers. Of course that means you cannot let the audience see the colour pages inside, and the magazines back then, and now, are totally different shapes.
Considering that Lady Duff-Gordon and her husband, boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, it made sense that her fashion magazines would be French. Research revealed the fashion magazine La Mode Illustree, and we set about finding an original antique copy, of an issue that she might have actually had with her, finally being able to purchase (thanks to Ebay) an original copy of the March 1912 issue, in very good condition.
And here it is! Sorry for the blurry photos (was taken on ipad)
An added bonus to this, is showing us original fashion of the period, for costuming, so it kills two birds with one stone!
As far as is humanly possible, we try to use either antiques, or actual reproduction items, for our costumes and props. At the minimum, things will be made to look as they do on old photos and illustrations.
In our production of "Survivors of the Titanic", a primary character, is Lady Duff-Gordon. She was one of the first major fashion designers, with boutiques in London, New York, and Paris.
In one of her scenes, on board the Titanic, she meets other ladies whom she knows, and they sit down to look at some fashion magazines.
It was of course suggested that we print off some magazine covers of the period and stick them over modern magazines covers. Of course that means you cannot let the audience see the colour pages inside, and the magazines back then, and now, are totally different shapes.
Considering that Lady Duff-Gordon and her husband, boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg, it made sense that her fashion magazines would be French. Research revealed the fashion magazine La Mode Illustree, and we set about finding an original antique copy, of an issue that she might have actually had with her, finally being able to purchase (thanks to Ebay) an original copy of the March 1912 issue, in very good condition.
And here it is! Sorry for the blurry photos (was taken on ipad)
An added bonus to this, is showing us original fashion of the period, for costuming, so it kills two birds with one stone!
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