Romeo and Juliet Costume Project

This essay is a letter referring to the costume designer on acquiring basic knowledge on how to prepare as well as undergo character costume design for the production of a Broadway play. It is imperative that the costume designer as well as the actors understand the setting and time period of the production of the Shakespeare play of Romeo & Juliet; the characters must be dressed according to the historical dress of Italian renaissance costume and must collaborate scenery, and costume of the time and place depicted in the play which is 15th century Verona, Italy.

The following is a report that I have prepared evaluating, and describing specific costumes that these characters (Romeo Montague, Juliet Capulet, Mercutio, and Benvolio Montague) are to be dressed. This report will include a brief synopsis, materials, decorations, hats, jewelry, and cosmetics.

Romeo son of the Montagues born of nobility will be dressed in the finest of garments adorned with jewels, and sophisticated colored fabrics. Romeo is a few years older than Juliet; he stands tall at 5'11 thin, athletic built, blue eyes, long straight brown hair, and clean shaven. The costume that Romeo Montague will be dressed in throughout most of the production is a very fine soft white linen camicia as an undergarment ending just below the thighs. He wears a long exquisite black brocade velvet collard neck doublet jacket. That is pleated at the bottom ending just below the hips aligned with gold buttons, and rubies to symbolize his high nobility status. The doublet jacket will have large broad shoulders, and long sleeves, and belted at the waistline in which Romeo has his sword attached and clipped to the left side. His hose are black and are cut into two separate pieces. The shoes that he will wear are black leather soled boots ending at mid calf length with turned down cuffs. An accessory he will wear black velvet upturned brimmed hat adorned with gold, and rubies along the brim.

Juliet Capulet 14 year old daughter of the Capulets born into nobility will be dressed in the finely extravagantly crafted dresses adorned with ravishing jewels and precious stones. Juliet stands tall at 5'5 slim built, long curly golden blonde hair blue eyes. Juliet will be dressed in a long white full length camicia undergarment, with long closely fitted sleeves. The outer dress is a low V neck gown made out of rose petal pink velvet, around the bust line the dress is adorned with 2 gold 1" ribbons displayed horizontally across intact with diamonds, and rubies Connected to the bodice is a full length pleated skirt ending to the ground. The bodice and the skirt are closed together by laces which are at both sides of the dress. Juliet's dress will have broad shoulder, and broad padding just above the elbow. The sleeves will be fitted closely. Juliet's foot wear are pointed toe white leather soled shoes cut below the ankle bone adorned with gold chains, and sequins. An accessory Juliet will wear a ferroniere a gold chain of pearls and diamonds worn across her forehead with a small jeweled gold triangle shaped medallion intact with a small oval shaped ruby stone in the center of the gold jeweled medallion. Juliet styles her hair with long loose curls, and thin pieces of braids. Other jewelry accessories that Juliet wears is a long gold chain with a large gold medallion cross intact with amber, and diamonds.

Mercutio is kinsman of Prince Escalus of Verona, close friend of Benvolio Montague, and Romeo's Best friend. Since Mercutio is of nobility and related to Prince Escalus, he will be dressed in the finest garments of that related to a prince. Mercutio just around the same age of Romeo stands tall at a mere 6'0 muscular built, hazel eyes, long wavy/curly blonde honey brown hair, and clean shaven. Mercutio is dressed in a white soft linen camicia undergarment ending just below the thighs. He wears a long bright crimson red velvet collard neck doublet jacket with a pleated skirt at the bottom ending just below the hips. The doublet jacket will be aligned with gold