Carbon Costume

Emcee is a character from the 1972 musical film Cabaret, and is played by Joel Grey. Emcee is the sort of narrator in the story, and is the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Club, set in 1930s Berlin.

To dress like Emcee, wear a white dress shirt, black vest, black striped trousers, a black tailcoat, and a black bow tie. Pair this with a black top hat, monocle, and wooden cane. For makeup, use a maroon liquid lipstick and apply pink blush heavily on the cheeks.

Orpheus (originated on Broadway by Reeve Carney) is one half of the tragic love story at the heart of the musical Hadestown.  The son of a muse, Orpheus is cared for by Hermes while he tries to finish a song to bring back spring.  He falls in love with Eurydice before she is tempted into the underworld by Hades, and he travels to hell to save her.  Orpheus is sensitive and sometimes a little oblivous.  He wears an off white shirt, grey pants, and brown leather suspenders, with black boots and a rust-red handkerchief.  Early in the musical, he also wears an apron.

Persephone (originated on Broadway by Amber Grey) is the wife of Hades in the musical Hadestown.  Persephone is meant to spend half the year in the human realm, and half in the underworld with her husband.  During the musical, this balance is thrown off and Persephone spends less and less time above ground with Hermes, Orpheus, and Eurydice, which results in harsher and harsher weather.  Persephone’s costume is meant to evoke the hopeful green of springtime.  It’s difficult to find an exact replica of her bright green dress, so don’t be afraid to play with layers and textures to build your silhouette.  Try layering a lace long top beneath a buff sleeve blouse and then pairing them with a green asymmetrical skirt.  You’ll need a flower crown for your hair, black tights and booties, and a floral detailed tote bag.  Finish the look with a luxuious faux fur coat.

Hades (played Patrick Page in the original Braodway production) is king of the underworld and a character in the musical Hadestown.  Hades is madly in love with his wife Persephone, though a rift forms between them when he bends the rule of their agreement which allowed her to live in the human realm for half the year.  In his anger, Hades tempts Eurydice into the afterlife.  Hades is a powerful and imposing figure.  He wears a three piece pinstriped suit, long leather trench coat and matching gloves, as well as white snakeskin boots and sunglasses.  Choose a tie in shades of white, black, and grey to match your suit.  If you want to recreate the brick pattern Hades wears on his left forearm, use waterproof makeup so it doesn’t rub off on your clothes.

Lizzie is a character from the early 2000s Disney movie, The Lizzie McGuire Movie and is played by Hilary Duff. She goes on a trip with her class to Italy and lives her dream.

To dress like Lizzie in her iconic scene where she sings ‘What Dreams Are Made Of’ alongside Isabella (making this a great duo costume), wear a purple reflective jacket, shirt, purple flared pants, a purple necklace, and prop microphone. To create the pin on her jacket, take a ribbon pin and add purple feathers and pin on the front of the jacket. For the accessory on her pants, attach a purple charm necklace.

Nardwuar, or Nardwuar the Human Serviette, is an online personality that hosts unique and hilarious celebrity interviews, usually with popular music artists. He also has a signature look, making this a great costume for music lovers.

To dress like Nardwuar, wear a plaid Scottish-style cap that has a pom pom on top, a colorful shirt, and red plaid pants. Carry a press-style microphone and wear glasses to complete the look.

Hermes (originated by André De Shields on Broadway and later played by Stephanie Mills) is the narrator of the musical Hadestown.  Hermes weaves the tragic tale of  Orpheus and Eurydice through song, even knowing how it ends.  Hermes has been played by men and women on stage, making the costume flexible to meet your needs.  Focus on shades of silver and grey, and choose a suit and vest or corset that makes you feel like a god.

Die With A Smile is a brand new song featuring both Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. The music video released along with it, which has bright fashions that are 70s inspired, and remind us of artists like Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. This would make a great duo costume with the matching look Lady Gaga wore in the video.

To dress like Bruno Mars in the video, wear a turquoise blue suit over a partly unbuttoned red button down shirt. For the suit jacket, cut off of the bottom hem to square it off and fold under to make a clean hem (sewing and ironing flat if possible). You can also remove the buttons for a more cohesive look. Pair this with an off-white cowboy hat, a gold cross necklace, and any dress shoes.