Candide - Firsthand
Ensemble base garments
​Glimmerglass Festival 2023
Costume Designer - Jen Moeller
Draper - Grace Cochran Keenan
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This 2023 production was a remount of their 2015 production. Tony nominated costume designer, Jen Moeller, designed the costume’s for the 2015 production and returned for the remount, though much of the process was overseen by her assistant designer, Arthur Wilson.
The overall design concept was that the audience is watching an acting company in the 18th century putting on the show. Most of the base pieces were period undergarments or modeled off period undergarments.
Photo: Evan Zimmerman/Glimmerglass Opera
In addition to general alterations and repairs for the ensemble, I made a pannier cover and top from scratch as well as recreated a base top that was beyond repair.
Pannier Cover
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This pannier cover skirt was new for this production. The fabric for the pannier cover was provided by the costume designer, Jen Moeller. She told me it was originally her grandmother's curtains.

​Above and right photo by me. Worn by Amanda Sheriff
Top Recreation
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Previous top
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Recreation
The original top's fabric was starting to shred, particularly at the armscye and hem. The elastic in the hem of the original had also gone bad. For the recreation, I copied the pattern of the original and built it out of a sturdy muslin. I was able to save the original lace around the neck and arms, though I gave it a mesh backing for support. Photos by me.
New Top
For this top, I collaborated with assistant designer Arthur Wilson and draper Grace Cochran Keenan to create something that stayed in the style of the show. Worn by Emily Harmon. Photos by me.
Photo: Evan Zimmerman/Glimmerglass Festival