Jeans and tennis shoes. Sparkly dresses. Kids in costume. T-shirts for rock bands.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra welcomes all types of attire. But on Sunday, February 10, a group of skilled sewers brought entirely new fashions to Powell Hall.
The Saint Louis Georgian Sewing Society wore their homemade hoop skirts, corsets, waistcoats, hats, and more to performances of Stéphane’s Serenade – a perfect fit for a program of romantic promenades and serenades anchored by works of Mozart and Brahms led by SLSO Music Director Designate Stéphane Denève.
The group, one of dozens that enjoy SLSO performances each season, specializes in crafting clothing from the years 1715 to 1830. The small sewing group, whose membership includes people hundreds of miles from St. Louis, also meets for social events.
The group’s intricate and eye-catching designs turned the heads of patrons. But as the orchestra began tuning, how did hoop skirts several feet wide fit in Powell Hall’s seats? Pretty easily, it turns out.
The ladies of the group built their hoop skirts to collapse, making the dresses fit easily. The fashions fit in with the theme of the opening work on the program, Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
The group members, who all have day jobs, say they’re eager to return to Powell Hall for another concert.
For more information about bringing your group to visit the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, contact Dawn Berkbigler, Associated Director, Group Sales, at dawnb@slso.org.