Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1010567
gown treatment for her: silk satin, layers of tulle, and an encrusted Swarovski crystal belt with circular Swarovski power buttons, for extra superhero powers! Mansouri's design client was Alyssa, a teen on the long road to recovery from severe burns sustained in 2006. Her alter ego was the vibrant pink "Captain Confidence." Wald- Cohain worked with Jesus, "FireStorm," who fights fear. Wald-Cohain worked in some high-tech components into his suit, including a 3D-printed insignia belt, light-up com- ponents, and a laser rigged into his gloves to represent his fire-shooting superpower. Crow was paired with Maria, "The Empathizer," for whom it was important to blend in with the crowd in order to find those who need her most. Rather than something flashy, Crow worked with Maria's personal style to achieve a stylized casual costume that also showcased her inner strength. After several weeks of preparations, the costumes were ready and the big day was looming. The week before the walk, a professional photo shoot was set up to create post- ers for each our heroes to take home. On Sunday, April 29, 2018, the costume reveal and walk were held at Pan Pacific Park, followed by a party in the park. The ceremony, MC'd by Billy Bush, included both a costume parade and the unveiling of their posters. The kids were joined by actors from numerous youth shows, as well as over 200 guests, all in red satin Lollipop capes or dressed as their favorite pop culture heroes, for a walk around the park and neighbor- hood and an after party with games, face painting, snacks, and, of course, lollipops. The designers and Constancio were all quick to bring up how profoundly the experience moved them. All spoke of the inspiration they drew from their muses: "Working with Maria and her extended family was such a joy. They are so strong and full of love and compassion," said Crow. For Sciabbarrasi, "Working with Eli and creating a costume that represented his inner strength was magical for [her]." Their clients' wonder and excitement when donning their costumes for the first time were also a recurring theme, as were the tears of joy shed by many of the patients' families. According to Mansouri, "The costume was a hit and Alyssa's reaction, when she wore it for the first time, was a pro- found moment for me." Nichols had been seeking an orga- nization to work with, and both she and Wald-Cohain, like Constancio, were particularly moved by the fact that it was their skills specifically as Costume Designers that allowed them to make a difference. THE LOLLIPOP WALK WILL RETURN IN 2019 To learn more about the organization, please visit www .lollipoptheater.org and keep an eye on our Weekly Gems for next year's Superhero Walk, scheduled Sunday, April 28, 2019. This year's participants could not recommend it enough. Wald-Cohain says, "Lollipop Theater Network is a wonderful organization headed by the amazing Evelyn Iocolano who reminds us how we can use our unique jobs and creativity to help put smiles on the real superheroes— these extraordinary warriors. I look forward to collaborating with them again in the future." 34 The Costume Designer Summer 2018 Photo: Anthony Dajnowicz