As a longtime fan of The Phantom of the Opera, I have always dreamed of recreating Carlotta’s Hannibal costume from her iconic opening number. The intricate layers, rich textures, and ornate details of this ensemble have captivated me for years, making it a personal challenge I was eager to undertake. I began meticulously planning and sourcing materials in the summer of 2018, spending a full year gathering the perfect fabrics and trimmings before starting construction. I sought out the finest materials I could find—often in bulk—given the immense yardages required for the trims, ribbons, beads, tassels, and rhinestones that embellish the skirt.

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The first version of Carlotta’s dress was completed in December 2019, but I revisited the project in 2023 when I created a complementary Piangi costume for a competition. For Piangi’s outfit, I was able to incorporate leftover materials from Carlotta’s gown, but the challenge of finding new fabrics that matched the original look added a fresh layer of complexity to the process.

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For Carlotta’s gown, I began by constructing a custom hoop skirt to support the dramatic volume and weight of the ensemble. The hoop skirt was built from hoop boning, twill tape, and lace detailing. I added a red organza petticoat on top to enhance the fullness of the silhouette. One of the most enjoyable parts of the project was creating the corset, which was crafted from luxurious red and green velvet, lined in red satin, and finished with hand-sewn gold bias binding made from silk dupioni. The corset was also adorned with beads and crystals and features spiral steel boning for flexibility and comfort, with grommet lacing up the back. Beneath the corset, I wore a gold fabric-covered bra embellished with multiple strands of beads that drape across the bust and shoulders. The skirt is made from green silk taffeta, adorned with layers of intricate ribbons and trims along the lower half. The hem of the skirt is pleated, requiring double the amount of fabric to accommodate the folds, bringing the total circumference to an impressive 10 yards. At the waist, a draped panel of burnout red velvet is trimmed with beaded fringe, while triangular panels down the front of the skirt are decorated with appliqué and rhinestones. The back of the skirt features a satin-lined train, bound with silk bias binding and embellished with additional trims. The center back is accented with an oversized red velvet bow adorned with trims and appliqué. To complete the look, I designed a tiara embellished with matching trims and crystals from the gown, which I paired with coordinating jewelry and a stunning red lace-front wig.