Virtual Exhibit and Online Artist Talk with Costume Designers, Savannah and Summer Cole

Savannah and Summer Cole:
Journey Through the Eye of the Needle

Virtual Exhibition:
December 6, 2024–January 24, 2025

Join us for an Online Artist Talk
with Savannah and Summer Cole

Monday, December 16 @ 11am Central/12pm Eastern

RSVP HERE

By Krishna Adams, Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media and Design

Hailing from the heart of Tennessee, twin sisters Savannah and Summer Cole have captured the imagination with their exquisite costume designs. As the creative forces behind The Wilted Tulip Costumes, they seamlessly blend history, personal expression, and adventure into their work, redefining the art of costume design. Their captivating work is currently showcased in the Tennessee Arts Commission’s virtual exhibition, “Savannah and Summer Cole: Journey Through the Eye of the Needle,” offering a glimpse into their extraordinary talent and dedication. See the exhibition here.

Born in Lewisburg, Tennessee, Savannah and Summer were homeschooled until the eighth grade. Their mother’s passion for history ignited their interest in medieval reenactments and Renaissance festivals. These immersive experiences inspired the twins to explore how costuming could bring history to life. With their mother’s guidance, they began learning sewing techniques at a young age. By the age of seven, they were learning hand-sewing, and eventually, they became proficient in using sewing machines and following clothing patterns.

“Costuming is a dichotomy. It can project how we feel on the inside, and alternately, we can use it to become someone completely other than ourselves. For us, it is both a social armor and a personal expression. It is this fluidity that has held our attention to the craft since childhood,” the sisters explain.

Following high school, the Cole sisters enrolled at Freed-Hardeman University, where they pursued degrees in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science and a minor in Chemistry. During their college years, they began delving into the world of costume design, drawing inspiration from the internet and honing their skills.

After graduating, the Cole sisters began receiving commissions through word of mouth. In 2018, they officially launched The Wilted Tulip Costumes, a business that caters to a diverse clientele with their unique designs, ranging from historical dresses to fantasy cosplay, theatrical garments, western attire, and even custom wedding gowns. Today, their clients eagerly anticipate their one-of-a-kind creations. In addition to their design work, the sisters honor their mother’s legacy by teaching sewing classes at the Marshall County Art Guild, sharing their expertise and inspiring future generations of costumers.

“People come to us for the customization we provide in costuming. They can get a costume they cannot find anywhere else, made to their unique measurements, and in a fabric and style that is exactly what they want. They get to co-create their vision with us and can be as involved or guided in the process as they wish,” Savannah and Summer say.

The sisters are fearless innovators, pushing the boundaries of costume design with unconventional materials. They breathe life into their wildest designs using materials like shells, live plants, bone, and even sheet plastic.

“Working with unconventional materials like plants and bones or warping tried and true historical methods into something unusual scratches our particular creative itch. With our clients’ projects, the exploration becomes more internal. We often approach commissions as if we are making them for film.  Every garment becomes the chance to either make something unique, or an opportunity to hone or learn a new skill,” they explain.

However, time is a significant factor in their creative process. Custom commissions require extensive research, pattern creation, material sourcing, and fittings, often taking several hours before the final garment is complete. For example, Savannah spent three years perfecting a “living dress” made of live plants that were cultivated over several months. To ensure timely delivery, they recommend clients contact them well in advance, especially during peak seasons like the holidays. The cost of their custom creations may surprise clients accustomed to off-the-rack prices, as the time, labor, and high-quality materials invested in each garment are reflected in the price. Despite this, the exceptional quality of their work continues to attract clients and fill their calendar.

One of Savannah’s most challenging commissions was a pirate costume inspired by Captain Flint from the series Black Sails. Sourcing materials from South Africa during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a significant obstacle. “I ended up dyeing most of the fabrics myself and making custom trim from scratch,” she recalls. The result, though, was one of her finest cosplays.

Their craftsmanship recently earned national recognition when four of their 18th-century stays (a corset-like garment) were featured in the opening scene of ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration musical special.

“Costuming for others also adds another glorious aspect to our art- the wearer,” the sisters reflect. “Sometimes we do not get to see the costume for what it truly is until the patron puts it on. The way someone stands and moves in their costume makes it come to life. The way the costume makes them feel about themselves changes it. It is this unpredictable facet of costuming that is often the most rewarding.”

The sisters strategically divide their workload based on individual skills and interests. If a project particularly excites them both, they collaborate, each focusing on their areas of expertise. For instance, when creating a Santa Claus costume, Summer took on the vest and pants, while Savannah, with her mastery of machine applique, focused on crafting the over-robe.

The twins are also passionate about creating costumes for all body types. Aware that many costume companies stop at certain sizes, they’ve recently begun working on plus-size costumes. Currently, Summer is working on a commission for a plus-sized Star Trek “Monster Maroon” uniform.

Savannah is also designing a custom pair of 18th-century stays for a woman with scoliosis. The challenge lies in creating a garment that fits the asymmetry of her body. “It’s crucial to get the fit just right, as an ill-fitting garment can be painful to wear,” Savannah explains. For this commission, the client sent a duct tape replica of her torso, which Savannah used to create a pattern and mockup, ensuring a perfect fit before constructing the final piece. Learn more about Savanah and Summer through their website, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Etsy.