Behind the Seams:
Designing My Name Is Florence
As we approach the world premiere of My Name is Florence, Minnesota Opera invites you behind the scenes to see how the costumes for this new production take shape. Inspired by the life and legacy of composer Florence Price, the opera explores identity, family, and the power of music. Collaborating closely with Costume Designer Trevor Bowen, Costume Director Corinna Bakken recently traveled to New York City to find the fabrics that best capture the story to help bring this opera to life.
Follow Corinna as she gathers the materials that will soon become the costumes for My Name is Florence!
Corinna Bakken
MN Opera Costume Director
Trevor Bowen
Costume Designer
.
Arrival in the City
The NYC Marathon was happening the day that I arrived. Pretty amazing to watch the runners.
A Hidden NYC Detail
Guastavino tiles are a vaulting technique that you can find all over NYC and even all the way down in North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. It’s a bit of an Easter egg that I like to keep my eye out for.
DAY 1
Fabric Shopping Begins
Fabric racks at New York Elegant.
Renderings and Coffee
Day one of the hunt. A ring of renderings with notes of what I’m looking for.
Shimmer Everywhere
Sparkles on the carpet in the section of Mood where they cut sequin fabrics.
Just New York Things
Another day in NYC.
Day Two
Prepping swatch rings
Day Three
Disorganized swatch collection
Ready to Meet Trevor
Swatches organized and ready to hand to Trevor Bowen, Costume Designer.
Travel Companion
Pup on the train.
Time to go
Grand Central Subway exit.
Requisite selfie
Why not?
The Designer’s Selections
Trevor Bowen with the swatches that will become the show.
What’s Next?
Since returning from NYC, Trevor has been digging deep into our stock of fabrics/trims/buttons to find the right details to complete each of the looks. We have been fitting the chorus and local principals, while also preparing muslins for the non-local principals. The goal is that we can be wholly focused on the out of town principals in January and that the rest of the cast will be fit and finished before the new year.
