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March 2011

MARCH 24, 2011
1866 Straw half bonnet
I was recently contacted by Michael Nelson Studio to complete a straw half bonnet for an upcoming photo shoot. The shoot is for the cover of a novel set in 1866 Missouri. The photo will be a portrait of a young lady in her 20s.

I was asked by MNS for something simple. Only the front of the bonnet will be featured in the image. The color specification was blue and the setting will be Spring. I was asked to create something light and youthful but not too frilly.

Here is what I came up with.
1860s era straw bonnet  1860s era straw bonnet

MARCH 7, 2011
1860s era straw bonnet/film commission		 I received an order from the set decorator for Abraham Lincoln- Vampire Hunter (apparently it is based upon a book by the same title) currently being filmed in New Orleans. It's funny because a friend and I were just discussing this film about a week ago. Never would I have thought only a few days later I would be commissioned to make a bonnet for the production!

1860s era straw bonnet  Civil War era straw bonnet  straw spoon bonnet

One thing I love about designing for film is that while historical authenticity is a priority, there is a bit of creative license. Not only does a piece have to look and feel authentic, but it must translate well onto the screen. Color, contrast, and proportion are all big considerations. Many times color choices are guided by the director, but this bonnet was based upon one I had previously designed and thus it was just a matter of recreating it!

On a side note, I have to applaud the set decorator for this film for keeping things local. I love when a production company opts for local hand crafted pieces! Too often, big production companies just rummage through out of town costume warehouses to find something suitable. Not so was the case with this buyer! Thanks for supporting Southern artisans!

Oh, and did I mention that this production has a budget of a mere $69 million????? Wild!
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