“Full Gallop” is a set designer’s dream, says scenic designer Jason Winebarger, who enjoyed taking an “opulent and over-the-top” approach to the show. “A period piece or something in an office building … that would be boring,” he says. “But this is something you can get very imaginative with.”
Winebarger researched Vreeland thoroughly to come up with his designs. “She had unusual taste,” he says. “Everything was in red. She liked lots of floral prints, and lots of animal prints from her travels to Africa. I’ve tried to include all of that in my design here.”
Winebarger also creates the window displays that promote each Barksdale play. In this one, which echoes the set design, a dressmaker’s form is outfitted in a red ball gown with a 20-foot tail that becomes the lobby’s window dressing. Winebarger prides himself on having captured the dynamic, individualistic sensibility of Vreeland.
Vreeland contributed to an ongoing Harper’s Bazaar column called “Why Don’t You…?” beginning in 1936. Here are some samples:
Why don’t you …
… wear an orange tweed skirt and turquoise blue knitted waistcoat in the country?
… use eggplants, complete with their green stalks, in a bright yellow room? The effect is very Chinese and delicious.
… tie an enormous bunch of silver balloons on the foot of your child’s bed on Christmas Eve?
… put tiny blond children in bright yellow flannel coats, capes and bonnets?
… go serenely out in the snow in a court jester’s hood of cherry-red cotton velvet?
… put a massive bracelet on the outside of your black suede day glove?
… try a gold luster coffee set arranged on a black linen tray cloth?
… use a gigantic shell instead of a bucket to ice your champagne?