Film commission- Abraham Lincoln

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!

About Susan

Hi! My name is Susan and I am a historian, seamstress, teacher, mother, and wife. My passion for history has manifested itself in the art of recreating clothing from different periods of time. Growing up in the American South, I am heavily schooled in the art of recreating clothing from the 19th century. After nearly a decade of immersing myself primarily in the Victorian period, I found the need to branch out and explore other periods of time. However, it is my connection with the American South and the clothing of rural America that continues to be the driving force behind my designs.