From Liz:

Okay, I'm not going to lie, most of the following is a repeat from last year. I think really did a good job, so I didn't need to update much. It's still a good idea to reread it. Honest. All of it. 

This is going to be our best year yet - I just know it!

There are a few things that I would like to address:

Fastrack: Please remember that the people who are working fastrack are VOLUNTEERS, just like you!  And we have new helpers this year.  A lot of time has been put in to create this data base. It is STILL a work in progress.
Yes, photos have been lost (a computer was stolen), some didn't turn out as nice as we would have liked, and well, we are all human. We understand that it is frustrating to have to get your picture re-taken . Please be patient.  Also, there is no correlation between the Eventbrite registration and the information we need for costume approval/fastrack.

Fastrack Table: Will open after the morning meeting. It will be located inside the cafeteria (where we gather for the morning meeting) to the far left as you come in.

Approvals: We are still in the process of scheduling Saturday. We will post the times at the workshops in Pacifica.

The Costume Class: Is a 2 hour class.  Because of the morning meeting on the first Saturday, , it is split by the lunch break. If enough of the class would prefer, I am willing to teach thru the lunch hour to enable people to squeeze in another class. Juliana will take a vote on it when she starts the class. 

The costume guidelines are available all year, but please take some time to visit the website and review them.

We have costume approval so that there is a cohesive overall look to the fair. All participants in the fair (cast members, employees, vendors, volunteers, door mice, helper cats) must receive costume approval prior to opening (or before receiving their pass): registration forms must be stamped with costume approval in order to receive a gate pass. Yes, we will be doing approvals at the Cow Palace Opening weekend.

It is because of this attention to detail that The Great Dickens Fair has the ability to transport our patrons to our own version of Mr. Dickens' London.
 

What you wear really matters. The costumes are the biggest part of the scenery ~ and a big part of creating the magic!  Please, please make sure that you are always fully dressed in costume whenever you are in the public view.

As the fair's costume director, it is my privilege to facilitate the fashions of London.  We ask that our participants/vendors wear clothing that would lead the casual observer to believe that they have just stepped back in time to Christmas Eve in London somewhere between the years 1842-1863. It is my job to help you create an ensemble that immediately conveys to the patrons your station/occupation/class/cast here in London.  

Women:

• Corsets: highly suggested  - mid 19th century styles, over the bust
  
  
• Hoops or Crinolines: the circumference of your hoop should be no more than 95" - 110". Corded petticoats are wonderful for giving the correct line without the fullness of a hoop. Remember, the poor women of London did not wear hoops. They would have had multiple petticoats or a corded petticoat. A crinoline is defined here as a petticoat with multiple layers  or ruffles.

• Dress/ Bodice and skirt:  Fabric in both the bodice and skirt match, long sleeves or mid-arm length with white undersleeves, no zippers 
  
  OR
   
• Skirt, jacket and blouse: Full bell shaped skirt, a Zouave jacket (bolero) which is worn with a white, front buttoning blouse (garibaldi) with a peter pan collar or just a plain neck band. 

• Colors: We are going for jewel tones, NO BLACK please, (unless Mr. Dickens wrote you dressed all in black).  Plaids are wonderful, again in the darker jewel tones, & patterned cotton fabrics are also acceptable - (Please let me see the swatch BEFORE you start sewing!) Adding a petticoat over your hoops will keep you from committing that dreaded fashion faux pas of hoop lines showing!
  
  
• NO BUSTLES. Nuf said.
  
  
• Indoor headwear:  day caps. Made of lace and adorned with all sorts of ribbons and bows they are the ideal item to cover your hair while indoors. An extra bonus is that they fit nicely under your bonnet - no need to remove them when you sally forth on the streets of London. 

• Bonnet - made of felt, covered buckram, or straw. Trimmed with lace, trimmed with ribbons, natural looking silk flowers, lace

• Outerwear:  A cape or shawl works nicely to show that you are outside, and along with gloves, a scarf and a bonnet.  Please - no top hats on women - of ANY size.

What is the deal with Bonnets anyway? Yes, the ladies of this time did wear hats. Bonnets are one of the quickest ways to convey that we are in fact portraying another time and place to the patrons.  It sets you, the participants, apart from the customers and it helps to further the illusion of being in another time period. Bonnets do not have to encase the head or give the feeling of blinders.  
 

Men:

• Pants: natural waistline is preferred , wool, heavy cotton, or corduroy, either plaid or plain, Pant legs should be tapered in and no cuffs.  Yes, we know that this will make you look like Urkel, but that was the fashion at the time.

• Suspenders - no belt. In fact - removal of your belt loops will make us very happy! 
  
  
• Vest/waistcoat:  Can have a collar or not, no points in the front (straight across), single or double breasted, should button fairly high on the chest, does not generally match either the pants or the jacket - plaids, brocades & stripes are wonderful.  There should be no shirt showing between the bottom of the vest and your pants!

Check out this link for more info:  

http://williamsclothiers.com/2011/09/how-to-wear-trousers-properly-and-avoid-gaposis/

• Jacket: Choice of Frock, morning, or tail coat . Alternate is a Sack suit

Does not always have to match the pants, however, in the case of a sack suit, all 3 pieces would/can match. 

• Shirt: for laborers/lower class it can be striped or colored,

OR

• Shirt:  clerks and those in the middle/rising/upper class wear white, either with a standing collar or a detachable, stiff collar. Note that a modern shirt with the collar turned up only approximates this look; the points should be no longer than 3". Also be sure to get a shirt that fits properly.
   
• Cravat: all men should be wearing some form of a cravat.

• Outer wear: Capes, overcoats or shawls are perfect for men.

• Gloves, scarf, and a HAT (top hat, bowler, or soft newsboy style)   

My goals, as always, are to make approvals as stress-free as possible and to work with each of you to create the most beautifully populated London our customers have ever seen.

 
So how does this translate to you, the performer?

Back by popular demand, the costume department will once again be offering a limited number of garments for rental.

Full outfits, as well as single items, will be available on a daily, weekend, or run-of-fair basis. Individuals that are new to the fair and lack costume pieces or will be given first priority.

This service will not be available until dress rehearsal weekend at the Cow Palace. 

If you think you are going to need to rent something, please email Liz ASAP at [email protected] 

This missive is not meant to be the end all in costuming information, though I am sure it seems like it! It is difficult to cover all classes, occupations and casts in one email or even on the website. Again, please email me with any questions. It's just the costume department's way of touching base with all of you and letting you know what our expectations will be at workshops.

I look forward to working with each and every one of you.

See you in London!   

(from Liz Martin)

Still have a bit of shopping to do? 
The following people will be selling at workshops in Pacifica ONLY: 

Lynn Combs: general merchandise, clothing
Dark Garden: corsets
Robin Driskill: reticules
Barbara Ebel: gently used clothing
Annie Lore: wigs, hair pieces (time TBA)
Lynn McMasters: bonnets & patterns
Dorothy O'Hare: fabric, trim, books, buttons, etc.
Jacqueline Palacios: bonnets
Amanda Seals: bows and ribbons
Jeffery Schoenberg: Stacy Adams boots, old studio stock: shirts, pants, petticoats
Mark Shanks: used clothing
Yuly Springer: corsets (Saturday only)
Ann Tavern: aprons, petticoats and more
The company store (Liz Martin et al) gently used clothing for kids and adults, used shoes.