I recently designed costume for Steel Magnolias at SecondStory Repertory Theatre. The production closed April 28th.
When I began the design process for Steel Magnolias I focused on each character as an individual before I began looking at the group of women as a whole. It was very important to me, and to the director Caitlin Finne, that the women were shown as well rounded individuals with all the complexities of real people.
After I had a clear understanding of each of the women I began looking at them as a group. Their friendship and unconditional love bound them together and helped them grow.Just as every woman added to the group and complemented the others in it, their costumes worked together in a similar way. Each woman had her own mode of dress, yet they all complemented each other.
Color is also very important to the script. Shelby only wears pink. I chose to use color groupings to illustrate the women's differences within the cohesive group.
Photos thanks to Caitlin Finne.
