LONDON -- In feverish anticipation of tonight’s seventh game of the World Series, renowned designer Vivienne Westwood has been working around the clock to create a couture original for mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. Following an intense campaign by her fans on the Internet, DiDonato will sing the National Anthem before the game, which pits her hometown Kansas City Royals against the San Francisco Giants.
“Your American baseball is fascinating to me,” Westwood told reporters, “and I find it profoundly moving that teams from so many different nations have gathered to compete in this World Series. In my design, I’ve tried to incorporate elements of traditional American baseball uniforms, which I’ve been researching quite a lot.”
DiDonato has worn Westwood gowns for her “Drama Queens” concerts and for the recent tour of Handel’s Alcina, which concluded at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on Sunday, to rave reviews.
“Joyce wears my work beautifully,” Westwood said, “and as we’re getting to know each other, I’m also reflecting her personal tastes in my designs for her. For example, Joyce loves to wear boots, and so her World Series gown will feature boots that resemble those stirrup-y socks that players wear, as well as the pointy bits on the soles.”
Cropped short since a Covent Garden production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, DiDonato’s hair will be streaked with the Royals’ silver and blue. The skirt of Westwood’s gown imitates the Royals’ jersey, “but with lots more sparkle,” Westwood said. Silver baseball earrings and enamel sweatband bracelets complete the ensemble.
Westwood is particularly pleased with one element of her design, the baseball-cap brassiere. “So often men tell me that Joyce has a really great hat-rack,” she said. “So why not take advantage of that?”
DiDonato in Westwood at Carnegie Hall on Sunday.
“Thanks to Joyce, I’ll be seeing my first American baseball match tonight,” Westwood said. “Isn’t it thrilling?”
UPDATE: Evidently Vivienne Westwood and her team were unable to complete the gown in time. Joyce wore a windbreaker and trousers instead. Here’s how she looked.
“Your American baseball is fascinating to me,” Westwood told reporters, “and I find it profoundly moving that teams from so many different nations have gathered to compete in this World Series. In my design, I’ve tried to incorporate elements of traditional American baseball uniforms, which I’ve been researching quite a lot.”
DiDonato has worn Westwood gowns for her “Drama Queens” concerts and for the recent tour of Handel’s Alcina, which concluded at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on Sunday, to rave reviews.
“Joyce wears my work beautifully,” Westwood said, “and as we’re getting to know each other, I’m also reflecting her personal tastes in my designs for her. For example, Joyce loves to wear boots, and so her World Series gown will feature boots that resemble those stirrup-y socks that players wear, as well as the pointy bits on the soles.”
Cropped short since a Covent Garden production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, DiDonato’s hair will be streaked with the Royals’ silver and blue. The skirt of Westwood’s gown imitates the Royals’ jersey, “but with lots more sparkle,” Westwood said. Silver baseball earrings and enamel sweatband bracelets complete the ensemble.
Westwood is particularly pleased with one element of her design, the baseball-cap brassiere. “So often men tell me that Joyce has a really great hat-rack,” she said. “So why not take advantage of that?”
DiDonato in Westwood at Carnegie Hall on Sunday.
“Thanks to Joyce, I’ll be seeing my first American baseball match tonight,” Westwood said. “Isn’t it thrilling?”
UPDATE: Evidently Vivienne Westwood and her team were unable to complete the gown in time. Joyce wore a windbreaker and trousers instead. Here’s how she looked.
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