'Sweet Charity' Musical
May, 2024
Sweet Charity is a musical comedy that follows the story of Charity Hope Valentine, an optimistic and kind-hearted dance hall hostess in New York City. Despite facing numerous setbacks in love and life, Charity never loses her hopeful outlook. The musical showcases her misadventures as she seeks true love and happiness.
Costume Designer: Morgan McDonald
Director: Hannah Noone
Photographer: Kirsen McTernan
Costume Assistant & Maker: Olivia Lewis, Rosemary Underwood, Nancy Chen, Beini Li, Carol Sitegele, Annie Proctor.
Set Designer: Mayzey Green
Below is my digital drawing of the 'Pompeii' dresses I created.
Designed by Morgan McDonald.
Maker Process
I made 4 of the 'Pompeii Club' black & white dresses and 1 'Fandango' dress.
Pompeii & Fandango dress
- Created a simple A-line dress for each performer using their measurements, with darts in front and back panels for shaping.
- Seam allowance added around the whole pattern before cutting out.
- I tacked along all of my chalk lines.
- Drew out a template for myself to create the applique.
- Ironed on bondaweb fusible to the applique fabric. Cut out shape.
- Lay design out onto the base fabric, pin down. Secure in place by ironing.
- Zig zag along the edges of the applique for the best finish.
- Sew up side seams only.
- First fittings with performer.
- Once happy from fittings, and adjustments been made. Attach zip in center back. Ensure it is not visible from the outside.
- Add lining/facing to the top seam (around neckline & under-arm).
- Herringbone stitch the hem.
- Apply fringing/tassel to the inside of the hem (as desired by designer), and along the top of the garment (as desired by designer).
Glitter Caps
- Rosemary Underwood, designed the pattern used to create the caps, used a four-way-stretch fabric (black) and overlocked seams
- Rosemary Underwood, sewed grip to the face opening.
- I assisted Rosemary Underwood, in helping stitch 400 individual sequins across 2 caps. (due to the four way stretch, each sequin had to be individually sewn to allow the movement within the cap.
Costume Assisting & Show Dressing
Assisting & Dressing
- Sourcing costumes
- Making costumes
- Altering costumes
- Dressing on the show: in the wings and backstage (Laundry call, quick changes, Completeing Daily Track Lists etc)
Production Photographs
'Sweet Charity' at The Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, May 2024.
Photographer: Kirsten McTernan
oliviarosedesign.com