THE APPLIQUÉS


The "Wishing" gown is supposed to be the same in all "Phantom" productions, but the details vary slightly. Luckilly, because there are so many nice versions out there! What vary the most, is the use of appliqués; those white flower shaped things which is to be found at the collar and cuffs (and most often also in the front of the bodice). According to an actress at Det Ny Teater in Copenhagen, it is because most gowns are made the same place (European versions in London, American versions in New York), but they are decorated at the theatres. This allows the differences to occur - luckilly!




THE EARLY LONDON VERSIONS:


I don't quite know how to explain these versions. It looks to me as though they were made by shaping some trims/threads as circles and flowers - the original versions also had sequences. The first picture is from 1986, while the second is from 1990.


SMALL WHITE AND BLUE SYMMETRICAL APPLIQUÉS:


This is probably most similar to the original London dress used by Sarah Brightman (which I unfortuneately don't have any good pictures of. Her version seems bigger and more shiny, but have somehow similar pattern). Most European gowns are made like this (Germany, current London, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium - and also in the Mexican versions) - it appears that these first were used around 1995, and they have since been used


PEACOCK APPLIQUÉS:


I don't know if that would be the right description, but it reminds me of peacock feathers. I love this version! It was used in Germany (don't know what year), and I have seen nothing like it in other productions.


HEAVY FLORAL PATTERN:


Most, or all, American versions looks like this (of course there are minor differences, but basically they look like the picture above). What separates them from most other productions, is that the velvet in front bodice don't have appliqués. Some have decorated buttons, but that's all. Must say I prefer something in front, but this is probably more authentic.

Strange enough, the Swedish versions reminds of the American one - except they have appliqués in front as well.


SILVER (?) APPLIQUÉS:


This is a special one, which I've only seen in the gown wore by Rebecca Caine. It looks like fine silver, formed as leafs. I like how they're kind of lying over the edge of the velvet collar. Seems like they're growing.


AUSTRALIAN VERSION:


More or less a mixture of the American and the European version, except the bodice is more jacket shaped than most other versions. I like it - it seems heavier and fuller than the other two. But I miss some appliqués on the cuffs.


JAPANESE VERSION:


This gown seems so much paler than all the others. And not just this picture - I have a picture from a costume exhibition, and it is just as pale. Which makes me think it isn't only the stage lightning. Ah well. This is a version I'm sure I will not make. I think the front appliqués are too much and too massive. It also makes the bodice seem un-fitted (doesn't shape the waist like I think the gown usually does).



For more info of the PATTERN and the making, please visit this site.

OTHER REPLICAS

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