Take history to new places!

I have always wanted to host a costume competition. But of course, there is always an educational element to everything that I do!

Read on, This is going to be FUN!

As many of you know, I love incorporating history into my modern fashion in various ways. Either by taking original pattern shapes and making them in modern textiles with modern finishes, like buttons and zippers, or by taking the original pattern shape and modifying some part of it to become more interesting and current. When it comes to creating a capital-C COSTUME…sometimes I have a hard time letting go of my instinct to do things “right.” I don’t want any of you to fall into that trap, hence, our rules:

1. It doesn’t have to be 100% accurate. I recommend avoiding 100% accuracy. That can mean sewing the clothing by machine, it can include top stitching, it can include other treatments such as plastics, metal, Worbla, Fosshape, Neoprene and other types of technical materials to take your pieces out of accuracy and into the realm of high-quality costume. It MUST be based on pre-1920s historical fashion. Preferably pre-20th century, but we push to 1920 when everything changed dramatically in modern fashion.

2. Keep it creepy. My preference is for the costume to go to a creepy, dark place, as is common with the ancient traditions of All Hallow’s Eve being a night when spirits and ghosts are closer to the realm of the living. Creepy is great, scary is even better.

3. Original Ideas only. Costumes should avoid obvious film and television characters as this limits the creative energy of the entrant. I want to see YOUR voice, blending history and creepy costume. I do not want to see a film/television costume designer’s work presented as your own.

4. Pay attention to hair and makeup. Costumes are nothing without hair and makeup. Your final photos should be made with some consideration to styling, makeup, hair and accessories. This is about creating a LOOK and a FEELING.

5. Take Photography Seriously. Photography should be done with an eye toward the artistry of the image. Photo Composition, color, editing and creativity are part of being a skilled costume maker. If you are proud of your work, you need to know how to make it INSTAGRAM-fabulous. As our world becomes ever-more digital and self-made, I want to encourage you all to learn a little bit about taking good photos. Again, quick YouTube tutorials on photography can be loads of help!

6. Progress photos are required. Along with your final photo, you MUST submit progress photos of the making of the garment. These photos MUST include at least two photos of YOU making the garment, in the image with the work. This helps to avoid any doubt that the work is yours. Progress photos are DUE NO LATER THAN NOV. 2ND. You MUST sign up by October 15th to be considered for the win. No late submissions will be considered. See below.

How to Submit

Submission is a two-step process. The first step is to SIGN-UP by emailing me at Mathew@themodernmaker.net and I will send you the competition agreement. In this agreement will be two important things. A caveat that says I will not steal your idea to make my own costumes…and one that also says you agree to allow me to post photos of you and your work on the competition page on themodernmaker.co. The goal is to inspire others and showcase your work. You don’t get to do that by hiding. I want to show you off!!

The second step, once the agreement is returned to me with a signature is to send me your illustration/design sketch along with some concept notes which must include the original historical reference period and/or object. Your illustration doesn’t need to be fine art…but it should give an idea of what you’re going for. SPECIAL NOTE: If you have no drawing skills, but someone else in your life does, you can absolutely have that someone draw your idea for you. All I want is to see an idea of what’s in your mind. 

Sign up must be completed NO LATER than 11:59pm Eastern US time, Oct. 15th, 2020

Final photos of the completed costume must be submitted no later than 12:00AM Nov. 3rd, 2020. I want all of you to have the opportunity to photograph your costume…possibly outdoors on a creepy halloween night. 

To give you an idea of what I’m looking for, here is a photo of our Guest Judge, Samantha McCarty as a 17th century witch. Photo was taken by Lauren Marks and Edited by Samantha herself. Note that, while the look can easily be seen as a pretty flawless 17th century outfit, when you look deeper, there are little changes that she made in her styling, posture, and composition which bring this to the level of this competition. Every element can be found in history, and yet, there is something distinctly other-worldly about how it is all put together.

There is a feeling, a mood, and you can almost feel a story behind it.

That’s what we are looking for. Your work, your voice, your eye, your art. Your success!

I can’t wait to see what you all do!

We are here to help inspire you, encourage and watch you soar to new heights. When we judge your pieces, we are not judging you personally…only what we see in your final submissions. We know how hard you work to create beautiful pieces and part of this competition is to help push you to think about a bigger picture where the costume itself is only one element among many.

For most, having the clothes complete is the end of their journey, but creating a LOOK goes so much further. We want to help you promote your work, hence the discussion about photography. We want you to photograph your work for the ART that it is, hence the discussion about composition. We want the model/you to work in synergy with your costume, hence the requirements about hair and makeup. We want you to know that you CAN succeed and be celebrated for your accomplishments…hence the bit about allowing me to post your work to our competition page.