Forties fashion on the Georgia College stage

For a stage production to be successful it needs to immerse the audience in the time period in which it is set. There is no more obvious way to do this than through costumes.

Eric Griffis, assistant professor of costume design, is in charge of the cast’s wardrobe for this season’s musical “The 1940’s Radio Hour.”

The production is about a radio station in New York’s last Christmas broadcast during World War II.

“The 40’s, really most of the twentieth century, is my specialty. So I’m very excited,” Griffis said.

Griffis took inspiration from photographs of that time period in order to make costumes fit into the World War Two era. He explained that the photographs were useful in designing because they show how people back then really wore the clothes. Any person who appreciates vintage fashion will surely look at the pieces he has created and want to wear them instantly.

Plaids and well-fitted suits for men and collared, button-up monochromatic dresses for women characterized the 40’s era of fashion. Griffis as made these centerpieces for the costumes that he and his team of helpers hand made for the show.

“Since this is a musical I wanted the colors to be bright and fun. I got a feel of the characters and how the cast portrayed them by watching the rehearsals,” Griffis said.

The biggest challenge for Griffis is turning the youngest cast member into the oldest character in the production. But he loves a challenge.

Designing the costumes may be a familiar process to “Project Runway” fans. Like the competitors on the show Griffis and Emily Taradash, costume shop supervisor, use a cheaper fabric, muslin, to do a mock up of the piece and draw all over it with what changes that want to make. This way they do not waste the more expensive fabric the dresses are actually made out of.

“I almost had to make a change to the female lead’s character because Dr. Mulvihill (the show’s choreographer) wanted her to move a lot during one of her numbers,” Griffis said.

A solution was found in the addition of a unique accessory, a feather boa. Giffis had Amy Pinney the director of the musical approve the addition. They are both excited about how the song and dance number will look.

Taradash was lucky to find a real vintage dress pattern at a thrift store, where many of the items came from.

“I find these vintage patterns easier to use than modern ones. This was a great find,” Taradash said.

Senior theatre major Kara Cox helps with the costume construction when she has time.

“I began sewing by hand a while ago and I took Eric’s class on costume design so I’m here to help on the details,” Cox said.

All the cast needs to come in to be fitted for their costumes. The men came in first since most of their costumes were bought ahead of time.

Freshman music major Josh Ramos portrays B.J. Gibson in the musical. His character is a clean-cut guy from college at the radio station. According to Ramos, the costume of plaid and a nice preppy sweater fits his character well.

“I love my costume,” Ramos said.