Improving costumes in the renfaire world IDEA

[sstormwatch]

There was a realization from comments by readers in a previous Friend's locked post that helped me to realize that being negative to help educate really doesn't help anyone

Comments

[chartreusekitty]

In general, I think it's a great idea. I also think that it ill have more luck at smaller faires, where the costuming is a little less controlled by a central decision maker. When I was working the big southern faire, we were restrained by a lot of theatrical decisions, and sometimes the management even implemented things that were outrageous just to appease the audience. One year, the Maids of Honor had to all wear big, pink, bows. Kinda like beauty contest ribbons. It was really crazy and ugly.

Once awards have been given out for a few years, then the prestige of getting one will be more attractive at larger and larger venues, I think.

I'll be happy to be involved, if this comes to pass, but it will be a while before I can participate actively.

[hsifeng]

I think this is a good idea - a solid award for improved costumes is something that helps encourage everyone. Here are my thoughts on this:

1) How do we build a ‘brand’, so that folks *care* when they are given this recognition?
2) Is there a way to ensure ‘quality control’ that isn’t offensive? i.e. When any one judge gets cornered by someone who thinks they deserve an award (but who is wearing a style that the judge isn’t familiar enough with to commit to awarding), having some sort of screening process get individual judges off the hook.
3) What will the award be? Is it meant to be worn as a part of the garb? If so, how do we make it something that any nationality or station could wear?

As for promotion of good clothing ideals, there are sites that promote terrific garb for specific nationalities already ( Realm of Venus , for example) - without allowing for a snark fest to get going (thank you *so* much ‘Rank My Garb’ *insert eye roll here