First of all I must deeply apologies for the lack of entries, This year I am proud to say has been our busiest year thus far. As Siam Costumes continues to expand overseas from the Cinema, T.v., Stage, Amusement parks and cruise line’s.
Of course as our clientele expands so does the Siam Costumes Family and Workshop…
We tried ever so hard to make Basil the dog to look at the camera.
Once again Siam Costumes have updated they’re cutters guide library with over 6000 images and 72 new category’s which include 18th century British Colonial Uniforms, 16th-19th century European working class, Indonesia 1930-50 and many more. Completely free of charge available at; http://www.siamcostumes.com/guides.php
A Voyage around The World
Day 92
Although its has only been a quarter the way through 2015, it’s already turning out to be an incredible year, with Siam Costumes currently engaged in projects covering 5 out of the 7 continents of the world, from land to sea.
The Crew and I are very excited to venture further into new Territory , and due to how busy we have been I apologies for the lack of log entries.
So far on our journey we have stopped in the luxurious Ferrari World Abu Dhabi ,Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line in Florida, Historical Emporium and Waterfall in California, The Originals in Georgia, Kunsthuis Opera Vlaanderen in Belgium, National Opera in Finland, Peter Pan in Luxembourg, Singing In The Rain; Moscow, Knights of The Roundtable, Sound of Music, Shrek World in England, Dr Who in Wales, Madame Tussaud’s Singapore, Aida Opera Australia, New Zealand and Of Kings and Prophets in South Africa.
Thankfully with so much in the works it seems our journey will not be ending anytime soon…
We are very excited to announce that we are currently working on Guy Ritchie’s upcoming feature film, Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur.
Set to star Charlie Hunnam as King Arthur and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as Queen Guinevere. Jude law and Djimon Hounsou are two other actors who are rumored to star alongside Charlie and Astrid.
Funnily enough this will be the third feature film that we have worked on, which Charlie Hunnam has also starred in. Knights of the Round table is currently set for 2016 release, so watch this space!
Due to the great response we had on our last cutters guide update, we have decided to update our library with over 6000 completely free downloadable Images, for your historical references.
The Christmas Update is now available at our Cutters Guides Online library.
http://www.siamcostumes.com/guides.php
Enjoy
This year yet again Siam Costumes has been on a journey of a lifetime; Whether it was a dangerous quest among mythical gods through ancient Egypt or searching for love in a futuristic world where emotions have been eradicated, Siam Costumes once again live to tell the tale.
From those first phone calls, emails and meetings, going through designs, going through and taking measurements, fabric choices, buttons, shoes, making and altering the patterns, making and altering the costumes, all the way to the sending and receiving…and that’s just me keeping it short and simple. It’s always a blessing to be able to sit back with some pop corn and a drink and witness everyone’s hard work being displayed on the big screen.
Towards the end of this year and next year we and yourselves can witness our work in such feature films and TV productions such as; Crimson Peak, Equals, The Water Diviner, The Hobbit: Battle of The Fiver Armies, By Way of Helena, Deadline Gallipoli, The Originals, The Secret River and Dr Blake Mysteries. Although 2016 may seem a long time away, for us not so much as we look forward to seeing our work on Gods of Egypt and Guy Ritchie’s Knights of The Roundtable: King Arthur, which we are currently working on. So watch this space!
Latest Breaking News: It’s official Siam Costumes International has started its very own Futsal / 5 a side football team.
Sebastian (Center forward),Singh (Goal Keeper,) Nee (Center back), Phong (Attacking Midfielder) Alex (Defensive Midfielder)
For the past couple of months Siam Costumes have been training weekly with the local 5 a side/futsal teams, both at Arsenal’s Thai training ground and Phra kanong futsal pitch. The exciting yet controversial new football coach/ Owner of Siam Costumes recently caused a media frenzy at the press conference: “Yes we are a new team, Yes none of our players have had previous professional or semi professional experience and Yes I have no coaching or football experience but nor do any of the other teams”. They’re first friendly pre season game will commence sometime next month with a western based team in Bangkok. We look forward to see whether they’re roaring fire-red / royal stylish gold football kits will match they’re style of play.
Siam Costumes do have one advantage perhaps, unlike the other teams they have a full department of staff behind them from Fitness Coach to masseur, not to mention they’re very own water boy.
When Siam Costumes were recently approached and asked to work on the upcoming Sci-Fi film Equals, we were more than thrilled. As this news is fairly recent and as much as I hate to repeat myself, I will not be able to share any information on the production or of costumes as of yet, but fear not once more information has been officially released then I shall take you further into the loop.
For those who may not know, Equals is a futuristic love story set in a world where emotions have been eradicated, set to star Kristen Stewart alongside Nicholas Hoult and also the renowned actor Guy Pearce, which will be his second time working with the director. From the critically acclaimed author Nathan Parker who brought eye-opening stories in recent years such as Moon to the big screen, which was also a Sci-fi classic amongst the critics and film lovers. Based on the author and story, we may expect to see a collaboration of Moon and Equilibrium with a sweet romantic touch or perhaps something completely different. The Director Drake Doremus could be a new name to most but to some he is known for his independent romantic/Drama yet innocently comedic films such as Like Crazy and Breathe In.
As usual Siam’s Little Helpers have been busy at work, with more than one production at once costumes have been flying out of the workshop, from WW1 uniforms,1900 mens frock coats and suits to traditional Siamese costumes.
Here you can see Rampai one of our pattern cutters, cutting out some fabric for the WW2 uniforms.
I’ve caught Sak by surprise as he’s constructing one of the men’s WW1 tunics, best leave him to it.
Gorya and Nok supply the finishing touches to the traditional Siamese costumes.
Patiently waiting, almost ready.
Sebastian sorting out the financial accounts.
Alexander working on the social networks and marketing.
Not entirely sure what sing is trying to accomplish here, but that’s all for today.
Now 2013 has came and gone and 2014 is now amongst us, we have the time to reflect on what has been yet another great year. In this post we will purely be focusing on our stage work, that saw its premier this year and a sneak peek into whats to come next year. From finding love in Nazi occupied Rome or deep in the jungle of the unknown, occupied by dinosaurs and other inscrutable beasts along with many more memorable stage moments of 2013.
1.King Kong-Live on stage
Based on the 1930’s instant classic,King Kong live on stage tells the tale of how beauty killed the beast in an engaging musical form, It received a great reception, praised for being visually stunning with an all round very talented cast, winning many awards including “Outstanding Theatrical Achievement”, “Best Sound Design”and “Best Costume Design” which was awarded to Roger Kirk. Originally being booked from june to July however due to its well deserved success, it has been rebooked for a third time taking the show all the way to february 2014. The producer Carmen Pavlovic of Global Creatures told The Times that she anticipates launching a second production of King Kong in 2014, with a third to follow in 2015. Plans have been announced to bring the show to the United States, England, South Korea, Germany, Japan and the Netherlands. So for any one who didn’t get the chance to witness King Kong on stage do not worry, the 8th wonder of the world may set sail for overseas.
2.The Force of Destiny: La Forza Del Destino-Opera Australia
La Forza Del Destino:The force of Destiny is an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi. The libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on a Spanish drama, Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino (1835), by Ángel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of Rivas. Presenting Verdi’s most notorious prelude, as Leonora and Alvaro are destined to be with one and another despite her family’s disapproval. They are set to become a one even if it means running away, although they end up far from their desires as they are caught amongst the tide of war. You are invited into a journey of honour and passion merging with vendetta and death, in this historical classic. The Force of Destiny received reviews such as; “This thrilling new production uses the powerful iconography of Spain in richly detailed sets and costumes. An all-star international cast is led by Svetla Vassileva”.
3.The Wizard Of Oz -North American Tour
The Wizard of Oz is a musical based on the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, with a book adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams. The musical uses the Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg songs from the film and includes a variety of new likeable songs and additional music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and additional lyrics by Tim Rice. Starring Danielle Wade as Dorothy, who was chosen by the Canadian public through the very popular CBC TV‘s reality show “Over The Rainbow”, the national tour features the same award-winning creative team from London and Toronto so we can expect another implausible instalment.
4. Tosca-Opera Australia
Opera Australia’s Tosca, Puccini’s riveting drama of a stimulating combination of love, jealousy and sacrifice.Director John Bell, joins forces with award-winning set designer Michael Scott-Mitchell and costume designer Teresa Negroponte in this pure, unforgettable show. The setting of Tosca as we originally knew was the French invasion of Rome in 1800, director John Bell smoothly adapted it to a Nazi controlled Rome, a very bold move that proved to be an admirable call; “His deeply felt updating of the action to 1943 Nazi occupied Rome is both appropriate and striking, bringing what can seem a schlock costume drama into sharp focus and reminding us of how Puccini’s issues of freedom, love, jealousy and tyranny still resonate today.”
5. Carmen-Opera Australia
Carmen is an opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet. The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on a novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée. You take the director Gale Edwards alongside costume designer Julie Lynch then you have the perfect combination to revisit the exciting world of Carmen. In this breathtaking production from Opera Australia, following the downfall of Don José, just another soldier who was seduced by the seductive, attractive, fierce Gypsy, Carmen. Jose without a second thought abandons his childhood love and his regiment, blinded by what he believes to be love, although Carmens fallen for a captivating toreador Escamillo, Jose is pumping with rage and is looking to take revenge for his broken heart.
Upcoming Next year
Wether metropolitan Opera premiers (February 2014)
Werther is an opera (‘Drame lyrique’) in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann, based on the Germanepistolary novel The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, based partly on fact and Goethe’s own early life. Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of Massenet’s sublime adaptation of Goethe’s revolutionary and tragic romance, opposite Sophie Koch as Charlotte. The new production is directed and designed by Richard Eyre and Rob Howell, the same team that created the Met’s recent hit staging of Carmen. Rising young maestro Alain Altinoglu conducts. Set to make its debut on February next year.
King and I (September 2014)
The King and I is a musical, the fifth by the team of composer Richard Rodgers and dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, which derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. The musical’s plot relates the experiences of Anna, a British schoolteacher hired as part of the King’s drive to modernize his country.This now legendary production of The King and I won the triple crown of awards: The Tony, the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle for Best Musical Revival. Further Tony and Drama Desk awards included Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design, and a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. Much-loved Australian actress and four-time Gold Logie winner Lisa McCune plays English governess Anna Leonowens, while internationally acclaimed opera singer Teddy Tahu Rhodes takes on his second musical theatre role as the King of Siam. Set to open at a Gala performance on 10th of September.
A day in the workshop with Siam Costumes 