Dress U. 2012: An East Coast Costumer's Conference

Updates for Dress U. 2012!

: past_blue; July 18th, 2011

We are very pleased to annonce that several new class descriptions are up at our website at DressU.org, including classes taught by the renowned author Sharon Ann Burston, writer of "Fitting and Proper"! Be sure to check them out at here:

http://www.dressu2012.com/Class.htm

And a great thank you to Sharon Ann Burston for sharing her expertise!

We have also added information on two of our Dress U. merchants, including Reconstructing History, the sponsor of our Titanic Dinner.

Many more great things are to come! Thank you everyone for your participation in Dress U!

Our website has launched!

: past_blue; June 10th, 2011

Come and visit the Dress U. website at www.DressU.Org!

Also, the hotel contracts have been signed, and The Sheraton is officially ours for June 1-4, 2012.

And a huge Thank You! to all of you who have volunteered to teach. I am still accepting applications, however in just a few days, we have doubled my initial goal. I feel so fortunate that we are going to have a wonderful range of classes, and on many subjects and periods!

Not all of the class descriptions are up just yet; I have had some amazing class proposals, and I simply cannot wait to share them all with you, they are very exciting!

We also will have 5 social events, at least one big museum visit, and cross your fingers, as I am trying to arrange something that I know you will find amazing - I'll keep you posted!

P.S. - I am still accepting teachers - please feel free to apply!

Call for teachers - Dress U. 2012

: past_blue; June 5th, 2011

Hello Everyone!

I have already emailed several of you asking if you would be interested in giving your knowledge to the costuming world, with more emails not yet sent. Alas, There are many more of you I would love to email an invitation to teach, and I apologize as I unfortunately don't have your email address yet.

Even so, I am just one of many costumers, and I only know a few dozen costumers personally. So, please feel free to contact me at dressu 2012 at gmail dot com, or post in the comments if you are interested in teaching!

Here is a list of inspiration for class ideas - if you feel you would like to volunteer to lend your expertise, please let me know. And if you have an idea for a class you would like to teach, or a discussion you would like to lead, please let me know. No matter what, I look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia in 2012!

Proposed class ideas:

• Fabric painting- 18/19thc style

• How to succeed in costume without really buying (too much) - thrifting and costuming.

• Making tiaras and diadems

• Period jewelry

• Making a hand-painted fan

• "Frankenstein" costume jewelry - mixing an matching pieces

• Making rococo chokers

• Making pleasing corsages and bows

• Picking period fabrics – or ones that look it.

• Fashion plates v. portraits v. reality discussion

• Beauty patches

• Portrait miniatures

• Embroidery for beginners

• Advanced - managing period embroidery for an embroidery shop.

• From fashion plate to reality

• Shoe clips to make shoes period

• Draping a sacque back

• Fashion of (___ region)

• Beginning Victorian corsetry/ a corset under $xx

• Easy 18th century petticoat

• How to make a regency pattern to use again and again

• History of costumes in the theatre

• The evolution of fashion

• Beginning sewing

• Recovering shoes

• Powdering wigs - options and supplies.

• How historical costume is interpreted into modern fashion - or how it can be.

• Pirate fashion

• Edward Gorey class

• Erte fashion

• Mixing commercial patterns for a period look.

• Resizing from period pattern books.

• Making a quilted petticoat

• Fashion plate v. reality

• History of reenactors - where did they come from?

• History of costuming

• Military costume

• Making a calash

• Beading techniques

• Covering parasols

• Period make up

• How to make poufs

• Retro hair

• How make a dress form

• Trimming hats

………..Feel free to add your ideas too! Thank you!!

Classes already on the roster:

• How historical costume is interpreted into modern fashion - or how it can be.

• Discussion Panel: Good Movie, Bad Costume (or vice versa!).

• Costumes in Vampire Movies – From Lugosi to Pattison.

• Steampunk 101- aesthetics, art, imagination.

• Historical Costume in the films of Tim Burton.

• Symbolism in historic dress

• Plus a couple more hopefuls..

Signed, sealed, delivered: our hotel!

: past_blue; June 4th, 2011

Yesterday, I took a delightful trip to Philadelphia. The city, as always, charmed me, but the purpose of this trip was to personally scope out and tour the top 2 bids for our "Dress U" hotel. It was very important for me to make the trip and see everything in person - from the dealings of the staff to the condition of the hotel, and the comfort and layout of the meeting and guest rooms.

I had to balance many factors - affordability, accessibility, amenities, and service. From these, as well weighing personal visits, and discussions with the staff, I had to make a decision.

I am very pleased to say we have a clear winner. The staff was not only welcoming of costumers - but actually knowledgeable! (I knew when the catering manager said "1810's- that's when the women's waists were high, right?" That I liked him. :) ) They are willing to help us have a comfortable, and well-cared for experience, all while ackowleging that this is our first conference (hopefully of many) and is willing to work within our budget, and even customize our menus to different time periods.

Admiring the hotel rooms:

A mirrored staircase that makes an excellent photo backdrop.

So there it is, our hotel is The Great Valley Sheraton, in Frazer, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. Sheraton will be setting up a personal page for our convention early next week.

In case you are wondering, They are working with us to set up several options for affordable airport transportation. I will keep you posted, and I will assure our air travelers they will be well taken care of. At this moment, a public shuttle is available for $40 a person, and a local company is offering us a price as low as $14 a person, when travelling in a group. I'll be keeping you posted.

I would like to also like to thank

madamekat for her wonderful company and contributions of her excellent knowledge!

I have even more important information coming up soon - keep an eye out!

Thank you for voting!

: past_blue; May 27th, 2011

Dress U is going to be in Philadelphia - June 1-4, 2012!

The other hotel link

: past_blue; May 25th, 2011

I apolgize for not adding the link to the Philadelphia area hotel in my earlier post.

www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html

Find us on Facebook

: past_blue; May 25th, 2011

If you are a member of the social network, come and join our group!

www.facebook.com/pages/East-Coast-Costumers-Conference/147030825370502
See you there. :)

Only a signature away...

: past_blue; May 25th, 2011

Okay fellow costumers, we're there. So, do you want Philly or NYC?

I'm going to be honest: NYC is proving to be very difficult. Either we have to do New Jersey - which boasts nice hotels, but would be a challenge to reach NYC, or we would have a hotel that is very expensive or just as hard to access. The one hotel I was hoping for (The Mayfair) has not responded to numerous emails and calls over the course of three weeks - an experience which I can only name as frustrating, and likely to foreshadow this event - no thanks!

Other hotels are very expensive and/or have very stringent terms : 25-100% deposits, etc.

But...

I am very excited to have an excellent offer in Philadelphia from an 18th century-esqe Sheraton! I love this hotel, and they love costumers. Check out the dining area, in an original 18th century house :

Or, we may (hopefully) receive an offer from the Marriott at La Guardia within 24 hours. Linkage:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/event-planning/travel/lgaap-new-york-laguardia-airport-marriott/

Other Philadelphia area hotels offering excellent bids:

Loews Philadelphia Hotel

Raddison Plaza Warwick Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Concordville

Embassy Suites Philadelphia Center City

Days Hotel Philadelphia

Crowne Plaza Philadelphia City Avenue

_____________________

Pros & Cons (Philly area Sheraton specific):

Pros

Close to Amtrak

Cheaper

Close to a mall, movie theatre, Walmart, etc.

Pool

Authentic ambiance.

Free Parking

(The staff loves costumers)

Cons

Harder to visit NY garment district

Further from an airport

Hotel for Philly: $125 (The Sheraton)

Pros & Cons (NYC):

Pros:

Very close to a major international airport.

Need I say the NY garment district?*

An enormously diverse and entertaining city.

Large and thorough public transport system.

Cons:

More costly.

Paid parking.

Hard to get around NYC in costume (I would be willing to arrange a car service for hire).

Smaller rooms.

This hotel is in Queens, and by public transport around an hour into Manhattan.
Having to deal with the populace.

Pigeons.

Hotel for La Guardia: $150ish

These are all going with the winning date of June 1-4 2012.

But, this event is meant to be for us, not me. So, I am leaving it up to you. I am leaving this poll open for 48 hours. On Friday, I am signing something either way...and we're off!

So here we go, costumers. You choose! I can't wait to see the results!

*Amtrak is close to the PA hotel...I plan on giving a guided tour of the garment district on Monday, no matter where we stay!

Poll #1745224 NYC v. Philadelphia
This poll is closed.
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 22

Which city do you want for the East Coast Costumer's Conference?

View Answers

New York area

3 (13.6%)

Philadelphia area

19 (86.4%)

Our hotel

: past_blue; December 22nd, 2010

Thanks to a fellow LJ'er I had some leads and after some research, I found a hotel that I think would be a great venue: the Crown Plaza. My current location of choice.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/PHLCI/event-facilities?start=1&rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/cp/1/en/availsearch&ias=y

I am hoping with a group rate we can get them to $125 per room (or less!) . It seems to be right by a Target, and a shopping area. I am going to call them to see what we can get.

Yay/Nay? Thoughts?
In addition, I am sorting out legal matters, and writing up other more minor documents. Looking towards 2012!!

Working on it!

: past_blue; November 22nd, 2010

Just a hello to say sadly there is nothing to report - as I have been very sick for about a week. :(

Very soon, i will begin to get our venue set up...I am sorry for the delay.

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Dress U. 2012: An East Coast Costumer's Conference