Introducing the ISN’T SHE LOVERLY Contest Participants

by Addie Mahmassani, Artistic Development Fellow 

Our costume-inspired floral design contest ISN’T SHE LOVERLY: DESIGN IN BLOOM is quickly approaching! Since our last post introducing the contest, we have welcomed 15 local florists to Arena Stage and paired each one with a costume worn by a female lead in a past Arena production. During two “Meet Your Dress” days, the florists were able to see their dresses in person, tour the Catwalk Café space where the costumes and floral designs will be on display, and learn more about the productions in which the dresses were featured.

Marva Hicks wearing one of the dresses that will be on display as Velma in Crowns. Photo by Scott Suchman.

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the ISN’T SHE LOVERLY participants and tell you which costumes will serve as the inspiration for their designs:

Monica Berlin from Bud Floral Design in Germantown, MD
Song Liling’s costume from the 2004 production of M. Butterfly
Designed by Carrie Robbins, worn by J. Hiroyuki Liao

Liza Bourkard from DBI Events in Arlington, VA
Nellie’s bathing suit from the 2002 production of South Pacific
Designed by Robert Perdziola, worn by Kate Baldwin

Stephanie Egly from Stephanie’s Secret Garden Flower Shop in Poolesville, MD
Adelaide’s costume from the 1999 production of Guys and Dolls
Designed by Paul Tazewell, worn by Alexandra Foucard

Daniel Espejel from Flowers by Daniel L.L.C. in Washington, DC
Gown worn in the 2010 production of Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies
Designed by Reggie Ray, worn by Marva Hicks

Janet Flowers from Janet Flowers Wedding and Event Designs in Washington, DC
Gwendolen’s gown from the 2004 production of The Importance of Being Earnest
Designed by Zack Brown, worn by Susan Lynskey

Andrea Gagnon from LynnVale Studios L.L.C. in Gainesville, VA
Artemis’s gown from the 2001 production of Agamemnon and His Daughters
Designed by Lindsay W. Davis, worn by Naomi Jacobson

Maribel Kalata from EightTreeStreet in Springfield, VA
Lydia Lansing’s gown from the 2003 production of Shakespeare in Hollywood
Designed by Jess Goldstein, worn by Alice Ripley

Theresa Hambleton and Mary Beth Lopresti from All Seasons Floral Preservation in Sterling and Charlottesville, VA
Pauline’s gown from the 2009 production of Legacy of Light
Designed by Linda Cho, worn by Lindsey Kyler

Jill Medawar from Toulies en Fleur in Washington, DC
Aunt Ester’s costume from the 2007 production of Gem of the Ocean
Designed by Ilona Smogyi, worn by Lynnie Godfrey

Marianne Raub from Helen Olivia in Alexandria, VA
Mama Nadi’s dress from the 2011 production of Ruined
Designed by ESosa, worn by Jenny Jules

Gerry Rogers and Rebecca Henry from Petal’s Edge Floral Design in Alexandria, VA
Clara’s wedding gown from the 2010 production of The Light in the Piazza
Designed by Linda J. Cho, worn by Margaret Anne Florence

Clementine Simmons from Fruit of the Spirit Floral Designs in Fort Washington, MD                                                                                                                                                                        Cunegonde’s gown from the 1996 production of Candide
Designed by Zack Brown, worn by Rebecca Baxter

Patty Stimmel from Patty Stimmel Floral Designs in Arlington, VA
Velma’s dress from the 2009 production of Crowns
Designed by Austin K. Sanderson, worn by Marva Hicks

Philippa Tarrant from Philippa Tarrant Custom Florals in Washington, DC
Aunt Eller’s dress from the 2011 production of Oklahoma!
Designed by Martin Pakledinaz, worn by Terry Burrell

Sarah von Pollaro from Urban Petals in Washington, DC
Eleanor Bachman’s dress from the 2000 production of The Great White Hope
Designed by Rosemary Pardee, worn by Kelly C. McAndrew

We have all been brainstorming about the many ways these dresses can find expression through flowers. Though we won’t know the details of each arrangement until load-in on Novermber 30^th, there has been talk of materials ranging from wheat to bougainvillea. We are expecting fresh flowers, silk flowers, and pressed flowers. We may see corsages and even some floral headpieces. There have been countless exciting ideas in the air! The final designs will be on display for the public in the Catwalk Café at the Mead Center from Friday, November 30^th through the evening of Sunday, December 2^nd. We hope you will join us that weekend. Also, be sure to check in here on Stage Banter over the next few weeks for reflections on the process from our contest participants.

 

Susan Lynskey in another featured dress as Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest. Photo by Scott Suchman.

Do you have design suggestions for our participants? Which flowers would you like to see in an arrangement inspired by one of these costumes? Let us know in the comments!