The Regency Ball
In the Fall of 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Texas State University wanted to give the students an opportunity to continue their educational experience through a fully realized costume exhibition, The Regency Ball.
The Graduate Design students were given two invitations to “The 1809 Harvest Ball at Warwick Castle, Warwickshire County, England” and two brief character prompts. From those prompts, characters were researched, sketched, and rendered in the usual way. Once the design was completed, and the fabric shopping trips had commenced, the designers and drapers worked together to bring these characters to life.
Character Prompts
The Duchess
Age: 63
Body Type: Rather small and in the Autumn of her years
Occupation: Duchess
Other’s Comments: Honestly I’m not sure why mother bothers, I don’t think the Duchess is quite all here anymore. She was always such a gem to have around but lately though she is physically with us, one might not say the same about her mind.
Mr. Bernard Lichten
Age: 29
Body Type: Quite Fit
Occupation: University Professor of Classics
Other’s Comments: Always seems to arrive with the Captain, not that mother minds, his charm and looks equally rival Tanner’s and grandmother does love to talk about Greece with him so. He does seem to gaze off at the dance floor at the Captain more often than not.
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“The Avocado Green in a World of Stainless Steel”
The Duchess, from the beginning, was always the eccentric Grandma who said out of pocket things at social functions. Standing out without even a second thought, showing up to the Harvest Ball with a bird nest in her hair and a snowflake pin. This small in stature Duchess, being swallowed whole by the weight and volume of her gown.
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“Flamboyant in appearance, contained in personality”
Bernard is definitely a gentle soul in a very cut throat social climate. His expertise in Classics and position at the University lend him credibility, which lets him be flamboyant in bright Blues and a statement of sparkle beneath. While all of the ladies of the county are drawn to Bernard and his charismatic personality and delightful looks, he would rather direct his attentions to his friend, Captain Tanner.
