Thoroughly modern millinery : the creation of a video guide to the art of millinery for performance

It is impossible to imagine Sherlock Holmes without his trademark deerstalker, Charlie Chaplin bowler-less, the Cat in the Hat missing his striped top hat. A hat is often a crucial aspect of creating a character, but creating the hat itself can pose a daunting task, and students of millinery have difficulty finding up-to-date resources to guide them in the process. The modern novice milliner needs a current resource to which she or he can turn in order to learn the basic principles of the craft. Through the production of the instructional video Thoroughly Modern Millinery, I am creating this much-needed resource for anyone exploring the world of millinery, but with a specific focus toward the micro-discipline of costume production for theatre. Watching this video will allow the viewer to gain a clear understanding of contemporary practices used in modern theatrical millinery. Step-by-step instructions and demonstrations will lead the viewer through three very different hats from start to finish. Through the process of making these three projects, students will acquire the skills necessary for creating many other styles of hats. In other words, this video will provide the building blocks that every milliner needs in order to succeed. Through close-up camera shots of the processes plus accompanying verbal instruction, I will guide my audience through the process of interpreting a two-dimensional rendering and creating a wearable accessory for the stage. My goal is for my video to become the new "go-to" resource for milliners. With the introduction to a wide variety of products and techniques, Thoroughly Modern Millinery will be an essential addition to costume shops, classrooms, and studios.