SCBWI Costume Ball - Queen of the Silvery Moon - Costume details

It is time again for the SCBWI Costume party so I am rerunning this post to show what goes into one of my costumes.

As I said before, I consider the SCBWI National costume ball an art performance piece.  Every year, around April, they announce the theme.  This year it took me approximately two seconds to know what to do for the Silvery Moon Ball,   I would become the Silvery Moon Queen.   I would be decorated with famous children's book paintings with the name "Moon" in the title and of course I would paint them in silver.   These are the books I chose to wear:

Good Night Moon, Kitten's First Full Moon, The Cow that Jumped Over the Moon, Walk Two Moons and the Golden Kite honor winner for non-fiction, Team Moon.

I started this costume months ago.  To begin with, I needed a dress to decorate.  So my Mom and I went to a Bridal Warehouse 75%-off sale, where there is nothing like the joy radiating out of the communal dressing room by upcoming brides.  I swear it was the happiest place on earth as we zipped up each other and talked about bridesmaid colors.  I did fess up and told the girls I was making a piece of art but the joy spilled over on everyone.  This dress had a few flaws so I got it for 15 bucks!  Then my mom and I went to the fabric district in downtown L.A.  My mom speaks Spanish and that was a big help at the store where we found all the cheap shops with silvery doo-dads to decorate the dress.
Next I carved gray double thick foam cord board and covered them in silver fabric.  I painted the book covers on the  fabric with acrylic paint.  Then I glued down different fabrics to create a frame.  My friend Pat made ruffles out of silvery fabric that I glued on the outside.  Then we attached the paintings to the dress.  Art for one night.
How Art for Art's Sake is that!

Comments

[Tina]

Thanks Rita,

The dresses were flawed, but who could tell, I just glue gunned over the bad spots. I felt like the bell of the ball.

Tina

[Rita Crayon Huang]

I had no idea you could go to a Bridal Warehouse and come away with a gown that breathtaking for $15! The final result of artwork was absolutely dazzling. A well-deserved triumph!

You've inspired me!

[Cousin Susie]

I have always been a fan of wearable art. You have taken it to the next dimension! I'm impressed and congratulate you. I only wish I could been on the treasure hunting adventure. This is right up my alley!

Love you - Susie

[Thalia Chaltas]

Spectacular, oh my Liege! You and your outstanding art and marvelous imagination have deserved to be queen for many years, and now you have done it. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

(anyone else have glitter in their suitcase??)

[Tina]

In what other business could we all dress up and be so silly. Three cheers for the SCBWI and all my old and new friends for enjoying the performance piece!!!

[Rebecca L-G]

High-Ho Silver!
You were indeed the sparkliest, most bulb-bedecked belle at the ball! Your two devoted footmen were also most impressive. It was great fun to see you and I can't wait to see what you dream up for next year.
Rebecca Langston-George

[Ken Pontac]

You deserved your crown! I'll be sending all of our classmates photos and words as soon as my brain stops spinning and the paper bomb that exploded on my desk in my absence gets cleared.

[Terry P.]

Awesome, Tina. You were absolutely radiant!

Terry P.

[Farmer Tomato]

I wouldn't be caught dead wearing it, but that's just me, and I'm a guy. It's an intensely personal statement, and who can argue with THAT? I hope you don't have to go through any metal detectors in your garment, and fear that it may make it rather unwieldy for you actually to moon anyone, but don't let any of that spoil your good time!

[Sarah Hensley]

Brava! What a beautiful costume, so cleverly put together and so becoming. I know you will make a big splash with this stunning outfit. Have fun!