Costume Remix #16: Big Fish (2003)
As a baby costume designer, I’m so eager to learn and enhance my craft and I spend a lot of time studying other artists’ work. I am always inspired by the costume pieces from some of my favorite films. So, I decided to start trying to recreate, and in some cases, revamp or put my own spin on some famous and not so famous pieces from these films.
Big Fish is one of those films that I saw once and didn’t appreciate it until my second walk through. I think I love the juxtaposition between the present day reality and the fairytale vibe of the father’s stories. What Colleen Atwood created was magical…it was perfection.
For this Remix, I wanted to recreate the dress worn by The Witch. It was the leg of mutton sleeves for me.
Pattern: Vogue 1789 Misses’ Dresses
Fabric: Floral Satin Polyester from Joann Fabrics
Style: Leg of Mutton Sleeved Trumpet Evening Gown
Vintage/Contemporary: Contemporary
Because this pattern came with literally 100,000,000 pieces, I was worried that it might have been a bigger challenge than I was up for. But because I was pretty meticulous at labeling each piece, it wasn’t too bad. The only thing that took extra time was tacking down the seams. Because of the number of panels, the dress could have easily puckered and looked extra crazy. So, I made sure to press and sew the seams down. And that made a huge difference.
Also, I made the decision not to add in an extra piece that would puff up the shoulders more. If they collapse, I guess I’ll have to add that piece in. But for now, it felt like too much.
Sidenote, when I showed hubby the pattern for this dress he said, that’s fancy…where you wearing that? Like I won’t put it on and take my booty to Ralphs’s just to be seen out in these streets lookin’ cute.
