OUR SPRING 2003 WINDOW
"It's About The Muslin"

Designs by - Andrew J. Poleszak

click photos to enlarge

Yea Spring! Our spring widow is a representation of the fine work by two of my dear friends Andrew Poleszak and Jeffrey Burrows.

We are all experiencing the “budget crunches” these days with the state of the economy. As designers and craftsmen we are constantly testing our artistic knowledge to produce fine work with limited resources. Our Spring Window is an example of that test. As designers and drapers in the “art of clothing” it is always about “the muslin”.

”These costumes demonstrate the importance of constructing a muslin mock-up of a designed garment. Cut, fit, and shape - as well as placement of closures and trim- can all be determined before the actual fashion fabric will be cut. It's a great learning tool for students and professionals alike: the muslin is inexpensive and cooperative. Most importantly to me, the muslin helps to insure that the costume fits the modern body of the wearer while still keeping the period's integrity.”

Currently, Costume Director for Boston Lyric Opera, Andrew has been resident designer for The American Stage Festival, The Worcester Foothills Theatre, The Boston Conservatory, and Starlight Productions (Naples). He has taught and designed at Wellesley College, the Boston Conservatory, Salem State College, and the New England Conservatory, and at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts.

For the past seven years he has designed costumes for Boston's venerable Vincent Club's annual benefit show. Favorite designs include: Don Giovanni, Skylight Opera Theatre; Miss Liberty and La Cage aux Folles for Starlight; The Heiress, Boston's Lyric Stage; Les Mammelles de Teresias, New England Conservatory; Ruddigore, The Boston Conservatory; Return to the Forbidden Planet and Footloose at the Downtown Cabaret. His work has been seen at the Goodspeed Opera House, Tanglewood Music Center, Symphony Hall, a special exhibition of his Italian opera costumes at Neiman Marcus, and the MFA. Andrew designed costumes for Boston Lyric Opera's acclaimed CARMEN on the Common.

The costumes were built by my partner of several years, Jeffrey Burrows, an artist and designer based in Boston.

The Costumes in our window display were worn in the production “La Bete”, performed at the Walnut Hill School of the Arts. My thanks to Andrew and Jeffery for their contribution to Our Family of Windows of 57^th Street.

Andrew and Jeffrey can be contacted by e-mail at des2fit@rcn.com