LEGACY has always worked with great costumers who have dedicated many hours of their time and talent for the production. I’m always looking for opportunities to increase the visual appeal of the show by adding new talent to the production in order to bring it to the next level. Over time, I've realized that I’m wearing identical costume pieces Michael Firestone, E'Casanova, Tej'ai Sullivan, Carlo Reily and other MJ impersonators are wearing because we buy from same vendors overseas. All these guys are amazingly talented guys. However, I’ve seen 3 “Jam” jackets that are identical and guess who has one too? I do. I decided to stand out so I decided carefully seek someone who could outdo Samantha Mo (Costume designer we all buy our costumes from)... and guess what? I found someone who knocks her workmanship out of the ballpark.
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| Pants used in the 2012 run of "Bad" |
I met a designer by the name of Sue Saari who is a professional clothing designer; Saari also designs handbags and other merchandise. Not only does she design her clothing, handbags etc. but she also makes them herself; not her worker bees like in Mo's case. When I went to her home studio to meet with her about some costume pieces I wanted for myself for last year’s show, I saw some samples of her work and I was completely shocked by her ability to create amazing work. When I met her that time I was in need of a pair of pants for “Bad” and Sue had just a few days to make them. She took the photos I brought and took the materials I had; I like to pick out my own textures and feel of my costumes. I didn’t see the “Bad” pants until literally a day before the opening of the show. I was SO HAPPY with the custom pants. Everyone seemed to be complimenting the pants, which were DECKED OUT in buckles and character. During the run of the shows in Alexandria, MN I even wore them to a party after the show. I felt like a total badass!! (nerd, I know)
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| Custom Gown by Saari |
The next thing I requested after I returned from those shows was a new, red latex “Beat It” jacket. I brought the materials in and when I said I would bring the white sequin fabric to do the white shoulders on it, she said something like “I’m actually hand sewing sequin and beads in by hand for the shoulders”. I immediately thought … “Are you serious? From now on, you’re TOTALLY going to dress me for my shows”.
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| Sewn-on beading and sequin on "Beat It" jacket by Saari |
The "Beat It" project then got put on hold for a few months due to similar family emergencies we both had in the fall. Needless to say, I went in for a fitting on the jacket last week and I could not believe my eyes. The fit, the look and especially the shoulders were beautiful!!! As a result, I have a 3-4 jacket project going right now. That is how exciting her pieces make me feel. There is always a sort of “chemistry” that happens when creative people get together. It either happens or it doesn’t. This one feels right and I am very happy to strut down the stage wearing these bad ass pieces by Sue Saari. Saari will be my “official” wardrobe designer for my personal costumes as long as she doesn’t get overwhelmed with my requests. I will continue to work with my "peep" team for the show's costumes so it's not like I'm replacing anyone. I'm just adding to the talent pool. :)
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| New, Mammoth Project (Bad Tour Jacket) |
Right now, the “monster” project is the Bad Tour Jacket which we’re trying to put together by the shows in St. Kitts which are next month. This jacket has over 25 hardware pieces on it and detail on the studding. The challenge about jackets like this is finding exact replicas of hardware from different vendors across the country and then making it work to replicate the original. It’s a mammoth project but knowing Sue’s work- it’s going to look unbelievable and ONE OF A KIND. I’m not going to be wearing the same, worn out look many impersonators have while wearing the same, identical jackets that were probably cut from the same pattern.
S. Saari, welcome to ship LEGACY!
