Design and Theater....

The Victoria and Albert Museum is known as one of the greatest design museum and I would agree.  I may not have extensive design museum experience but from what I have seen this one was pretty phenomenal.  I don't normally do the tour thing when I am at museums but they have a theater and costume one that seemed right up my ally.  The tour guide was just what you would expect...slightly nerdy, quite quirky with hair that fell just below his shoulders that he had to continually flip back over his shoulders dramatically when it fell forward.  I am pretty sure that he has it cut to just the right length so this hair flip has to happen.  He was very knowledgeable and had quite a few bits I would not have figured out on my own.  The museum has and extensive collection of costumes from tons of theater productions.  The highlight was 2 pieces from The Lion King.

Lion King costumes

 
These pieces were pretty spectacular up close.  The detailing was really intricate.  Also among the display in the theater area there was a full set up of what a dressing room looks like from a live pop stars show that is touring.  Closets that turn into rolling trunks and everything.  The one they have on display at the moment is ...wait for it....Kylie Minogue!  Oh yes, you heard me correctly.  I know you are all so excited right now you can hardly continue reading and have jumped up and are doing the "Locomotion"...Please, pull your self together and keep reading.  There is plenty of time for  doing the Locomotion after you have finished.

Kylie...Do the Locomotion with me!

Within this area there was also a ton of history....Here are a few bits you might not know and you can drop them casually into conversation and sound really cultured.
Most of you probably already know that when live theater started out in the time of Shakespeare women were not allowed to be on stage.  All women's roles were played by men or young boys depending on the role.  In 1660 Charles II signed a proclamation to allow ladies on the stage.  This museum has one of the two original signed documents.  So began the time of actresses.  Guys, just take a moment now and thank Charles for this because with out it there would not be (insert your favorite female actress here) on stage or in a movie it would still be a man dressed as a women.  Have a little think about that.
The second little bit is the term "Break a Leg" meaning good luck...ok I know you all have heard that...just give me a minute to explain.  Historically there were "Star" shaped openings in the stage floor that actors would be shot up through then land on the stage.  The only tricky part is the stage hands have to pull closed the wood panels that create this opening

Stage floor Star

    one by one before the actors feet hit the stage floor.  Now that takes some serious timing and really fast stage hands.  Needless to say many times it didn't quite make it closed and the actors unfortunatly would literaly break a leg in these stars.    And so was born the statement "break a leg"
Don't you feel just a bit smarter and cultured.  I hope so.  I really only scratched the surface of this museum and I plan to go back again for more.

 I will leave you all with one last thing...On my way out of the museum I made my first fashion find!  Check out the photo below of these fantastic bags!  They are called Suitcase and are made from vintage Gentlemen's suits.  They are hand made here in England and are full of treats inside and out.  Love...Love...Love these bags!  More fashion to come I promise!

Suitcase Bags...Treat central!