designs for di Layne Christensen Fashion Editor layne@nsnews.com MANUEL Mendoza is working hard to revive -» the role of fashion in ‘the opera. No stranger to opening night, the Vancouver designer has built his career on creating glamorous party frocks and evening gowns for the city’s social ser. But it’s this North Van resi- dent’s skill at crafting “action- oriented” formal wear that has gained him a reputation among the city’s top. musicians, who turn to him for their custom- order tails. 's that association and his knowledge of functional attire — a vustomemade jacket that accommodates a violinist’s spe- cial range of motien, for exam- ple — thar has led to an excit- ing new commission. Vancouver Opera has engaged Mendoza to dress divas Judith Forst and Joanne Kolomyjce for the production of X-treme Opera, to open Jan. 31 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. When his gowns grace the stage, Mendoza will be joining an elite group of designers. Historically, opera and fash- ion have been closely linked, as his business partner Margit McCorkle explains. Celebrated designers Worth and Erté enhanced | their acclaim by designing for the Parisian opera during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, north shore news §§ PASHION Couturier creates vas “tg eee Hlustrations Manuel Mendoza SKETCHES for Joanne Kolomyjec's wardrobe show how one dress can have three different looks. respectively. At the height of her career, Chanel, too, tried her hand at costume design. The French couturi¢re created the cos- tumes for the operetta dansée Le Train Blew, performed in 1924 by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Her dancers’ woollen bathing costumes, though doubtless uncomfortable tor the wearer, were inspired by the vogue for sporting activi- ties. In the late "80s, Hollywood designer Bob Mackie was com- missioned by the San Francisco Opera to add glamor and glitz to the costumes for Berg's Lulu. Most recently, London's Royal Opera has coaxed. star designers Isaac Mizrahi and Giorgio Armani to design for the stage. Dressing divas has special A two-piece dress and reversible coat will allow Judith Forst to change character with each of the four roles she will perform in X-treme Opera. “ Alin store Stock SALE BUY 1 GET! FREE BUY 1GET | FREE: ual or lesser value saLt ON NOW considerations, says Mendoza. The gowns must show the singers in the best possible deht. They also have to stand out Mendoza will outfit: his divas in red and gold to provide a “vivid splash of color” against a chorus dressed in black and white. Above all, his desiuns niuse accommodate the divas’ special needs. “They need to breath,” says the designer. An opera singer's deep breathing can cause the singer's rib-cage area to expand as much as 3° in circumference. To accommodate this, Mendoza will build clasticity into a gown’s bodice. On opening night, the designer also hopes to revive the traditional “fashion prome- nade.” Just as the principals on stage vied for the applause of the audience, the guests outdid themselves for cach other's attention before and after the opera,” says McCorkle, who gains her intimate knowledge of opera culture from her sec- ond career as a musicologist. The practice intensified berween acts, she says, when Patrons would promenade the opera house using its dramatic architecture as a scenic show- case for their clegant attire. N-treme Opera runs for five performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Jan. 31, Feb. 3, 3nd 7 and 9. Single tickets start at S33, available at Tickermaster outlets or charge- by-phone at 280-3311 S sae Sale Bo 1 det 1 ‘Fr *:*Membérs Buy] get" “ZRREE : ofequaldriesservatic Sunday. January 18, 1998 — North Shore News -— 17 NEWS photo Mike Wakefield MANUEL Mendoza wants to revive the art of dressing up. He’s dressing divas Judith Forst and Joanne Kolomyjec for this month's X-treme Opera production and is encouraging patrons to don their best formal attire for opening night. W.DoTs)\ ughout the s ‘Anexcellent selection of fabrics throughout the ‘store! Polyester: ’ Rayons, Kid's Prints, Spec ! Occasion. Fabrics, Sportswear, Fun Fake Fur, Denim; - - Corduroy, Home Dec *Prints;Lacés & Sheers ‘~ ahd sew much more \( TABRICLAND) First in Fabric Selection. Quality & Value” NORTH VANCOUVER _ Capilano Mall - (Top ot Espatatory > 986-4519 ” Fabniéiand § Club. gy , se value Hotline OF 0-924 © HOURS Plus 6 more ocatians in the” “ ower Mainland 10 serve you * Join us an the internet!. - websilg: www. Jabriclandwest cot