The Phantom of the Opera 2000, 2011

Dramatically encrusted pieces of lace were used to embellish the costumes for Phantom of the Opera’s Sydney show. The show is one that continues to please its audience and is one of the longest running shows in Sydney.

I was shown some remarkably well preserved pieces of Victorian beading. They were black delicately hand stitched pieces, the base was constructed of fine cords stitched together and the hand bead embroidery was stitched on the top of the cords. Fine rows of faceted seed beads laced together the spaces in between the cord. It was such an exquisite example of beading from the past.

My brief was to use this piece as inspiration. Using some vintage jet and black glass beads and also some faceted modern beads, cords, lace and heavy threads

I began creating pieces that looked as encrusted and exquisite as the original I was holding in my hand.My pieces were bolder and heavier, able to withstand the handling that a stage costume endures.I achieved the vintage look of these marvelous Victorian pieces and expanded my beading technique expertise in the process