Welcome to Simply Kelli, a fansite dedicated to Kelli O'hara.
A behind the scenes look at The King and I
Set in 1860’s Siam, The King and Itells the story of an unconventional relationship between East and West. Centering around the relationship of King Mongkut and Anna Leonowens, a newly-hired governess to look after the King’s children, the pair have to deal with their many differences. These differences create a unity between the pair, forming a great admiration for one another.
In order to create a wardrobe that married Eastern and Western styles together, costume designer Catherine Zuber thoroughly researched specific fabrics, colours and read into what people would have worn to produce a stellar wardrobe that perfectly captures the time period. In fact, Zuber won the 2015 Tony Award for best costume design for her work in The King and I. To get a closer look at the level of details in the outfits, here are some original sketches of outfits you can see in the show that were drawn up by Zuber.
To bring this sketch to life, the dress was created with heavy bamboo and sprung steel to form hoops that allow Kelli O’ Hara to glide across the stage. But that’s not all! The dress also has steel weights sewn into the bottom that stop the skirt flying up and revealing the magic of how the dress perfectly sits. Thanks to the iridescent fabrics, the dress catches the light with each movement, making her look regal yet strong. This dress really showcases the mix of older dress styles with newer fabrics and constructions to create an iconic outfit.
More costume sketches showcase the level of detail that has gone into making every outfit. From villagers to royal princes, The King and Ishows Siam at every level.
