Much like the vibrant plumage of a peacock or the neon skin of a dart frog, fashion has long played an integral role in human communication. During the Baroque era in particular, high fashion was a cornerstone of society: it not only communicated who was who in the courts of monarchs such as Louis XIV, it was also a way for the aristocracy to advance themselves within the court. In other words, fashion was the key to success.
In the 21st century, the word âextraâ is applied to anything deemed âexcessiveâ or âoverly dramaticâ; Rihannaâs âPope Dress,â which she wore to the 2018 MET Gala, could be described as âextra.â The fashion of the Baroque era makes modern âextraâ fashion seem mundane, and it is this definition of clothing that the fourth-year Costume Studies students of the Fountain School of Performing Arts have been given license to play with since September. And now, their work is ready to be showcased in an evening of entertainment entitled The Grand Parade.
In the words of Costume Studies professor Anneke Henderson, âthe evening will feature the juxtaposition of lush period costuming, movement, and design, paired with the rhythmic and colourful music of Jacob Caines and the Wind Ensemble, including vocal music and original student compositions.â
âThe music and costumes for Grand Parade have been connected since we started talking about the show a year ago,â says Wind Ensemble director Jacob Caines. âThe music has been chosen and written as a foil to the opulent and rich costumes. The Costume Studies students have created ornate and beautiful works of art, and I wanted to pick music that was in stark contrast to that. By highlighting music of a very different style, I hope that the opulence of the costumes is even more splendid.â
Julia MacVicar will also be performing a piece of music from the French Baroque period, and according to Caines it âserves as a way to connect the music to the costumes.â
Powerful, original compositions
The Wind Ensemble will be presenting six pieces in total, four of which are original compositions by the Fountain Schoolâs composition majors. Isabelle Riche describes her contribution, âElon Musk Loses His Mind,â as a piece which âpokes fun at the absurdity of the media and the people in it who take themselves too seriously.â Caines has also contributed an original piece to The Grand Parade, written specifically to allow the musicians and the costume studies students to âinteract and perform together.â
For Costume Studies students Shaney Kille and Claire Hartke, The Grand Parade is an opportunity for their work to take centre stage. âMost of the time in this program, weâre creating costumes for the Fountain Schoolâs productions," says Kille. âWhile that always offers the challenge of working with designers and bringing their dreams to life, there is not as much space for our own creativity.â
âThough our past creations have spent plenty of time in the FSPA limelight, this event showcases the Costume Studies program and our hard work,â adds Hartke. Henderson says that, âin a traditional theatre presentation (play or opera), costume supports the actor and story development and is most successful when it does not distract from the action on stage. In the context of this project, Costume Studies students will see their work in equal standing to the other performers, the musicians.â
Designing the costumes
Not only will the work of the students take centre stage, but the students themselves will model their 18th-century costume masterpieces.
The process of creating such elaborate costumes is a grueling one. Hundreds of hours have been invested by each individual student in a single garment.
âThe sewing process canâŠbe very frustrating at times,â says Kille, who spent 17 hours hand sewing eyelets for her gown â a process which caused her fingers âto hurt for a week afterwards because the fabric is so tough.â
Itâs not only the fine details which pose a significant challenge.
âEvery structural element is integral to the final garment,â says Hartke, but such elaborate gowns are (in Killeâs own words) a ââmake it up as you goâ project. I know all of the steps that must be taken, and I know what I want the final product to look like, but itâs figuring out all the connecting steps while also inputting my own creativity into the project that can take a lot of time. I have to try things multiple ways before being happy with the outcome.â
A spectacular scene
"The Grand Parade will be a spectacular scene,â says Hartke. âThe combination of vibrant music and extravagant 18th-century gowns creates an engaging dialogue between historical and contemporary arts. As we parade around to colourful rhythms, it will be a captivating experience for all.â Kille jokingly adds that, âat times it felt like this project would never end; we have been working on it since September. But I know that once weâre onstage, all the literal blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it.â
âPeople should come see The Grand Parade because it is one of the most unique things weâve ever programmed,â Caines says excitedly. âWe have succeeded in bringing together several disciplines and groups that rarely get to work together. The show is exciting, beautiful, energetic, and completely unlike any wind ensemble show or fashion show anyone has ever seen. That I can promise!â
The Grand Parade, which closes the Fountain Schoolâs 2018-19 season, will be performed April 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Pier 21 in the Kenneth C. Rowe Hall. As of press time, Saturday nightâs show is already sold out, though some tickets for Friday nightâs show are still available from the .