When I designed for Frida, I have consulted a fashion designer from Mexico. The hairstyle of the puppet has reproduce the traditional Mexican hairstyle “Trenza de bola”. And for its clothes, I have chose Frida Kahlo` s favorite Mexican traditional dress “Traje de Tehuana”, but the style is closer to the Design as a fashion icon in current fashion area. With the new look of Frida, I want to show her distinct personality, her special interest and unique taste of fashion.
When I designed for Marie, I have reproduce her blond hair, grey eyes, light skin and her typical serious expression. The puppet has two sets of clothes: a dark blue old working dress, which she often wears outside other clothes when she works, and a white shirt with black skirt, which have simple style with a little lace as decoration. The outer plain working dress and the inner simple style shirts and skirts represent different images of Marie in work and life: strict scientist, knowledgeable professor and graceful woman with independent thoughts and unique ideas about aesthetic.
Frida` s father is a photographer from Germany. When he was 18, he came to Mexico alone. After many years in Mexico, he opened his own photography studio in Mexiko-Stad. His career as a photographer and his passion of watercolors has deeply affected Frida's interest in painting and art. Kahlo's design comes from Frida's family photos and Frida's painting for his father. He is serious and reticent. In the portraits, he always wears a dark, old-fashioned suit with meticulous hair.
Because of the health problems of Frida, her doctors had always played an important role in her life. Hand-Puppet doctor was designed based on a portrait of Frida` s doctor, which was draw by Frida. Interestingly, her doctor has the same eyebrow like hers. The the form and color of curtain has imitated Frida` s former residence—“the blue hause”.
1. Write a playbook for Frida in a language that children can understand (The details of Frida ’s unfortunate experience has been weakened, and parts, that are not suitable for children was deleted.)
2. Make supporting Hand-Puppets and curtains according to the script, and confirm the lights, venues and props.
3. Recruit young volunteers (8-10 years old). Lead little actors warm up with acting games, reading loudly and reciting, learning to use hand puppets to perform various actions and to express the characters' feelings.
4. Modify the lines to make them suitable for performers' language ability. Give feedback and suggestions to each other in each step.
5. Rehearse many times
