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COSTUME  DESIGN

In addition to Elena's career as a classic singer, she designs and creates costumes for opera and theatre productions.  Elena was engaged and is re-invited to assist with projects in Costume Departments of UBC Opera and Vancouver Opera. Elena's recent project includes work on a creative team as a Costume Designer for a Canadian premiere of G. Benjamin's "Into the Little Hill" chamber opera by Astrolabe Music Theatre, in collaboration with Vancouver Opera Orchestra (2023).

Elena is a graduate from the CUT Vancouver Fashion Academy and her additional training in Garment Design and Costume History comes as a great asset as she continues to advance her skills working in a theatre environment. As a designer, Elena contributed to many thematical concerts and musical productions, such as "Opera, Salut!", "Nostalgia", "Silver Era", "Cabaret Odessa" presented by the Vancouver classical events agency Ad Libitum Entertainment.  Elena also designed costumes for the Dolce & Belcanto opera show, created in partnership with Vancouver Opera artist Melanie Krueger.

Some of Elena's work include: 

UBC OPERA (Costume design and assistance)

"Le Nozze di Figaro", Mansfield Park"Eine Nacht in Venedig"Eugene Onegin", Midsummer Night's Dream", 
"Ariadne auf Naxos","La Cenerentola" (with costumes previously designed for "Eine Nacht in Venedig")

VANCOUVER OPERA (Assistance with costumes design and alteration)

"Dead Man Walking""Le Nozze di Figaro"

ASTROLABE MUSIC THEATRE (Costume Designer)

"Into the Little Hill"

In addition, Elena designs gowns for opera performers. Her line of opera gowns “FABric of OpERA” was showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week (Spring/Summer 2022), as a tribute to the beautiful world of opera, with a touch of nostalgia to the fabulous era of extravagant costumes and glamourous evening gowns. The gowns address not only the visual side of the character portrayal, but the “technical” specifics important to singers: ability of the costume to allow for a deep breathing and support. Each piece presents a portrayal of the famous heroine from the world classics such as Dalila from “Samson et Dalila” by C. Saint-Saëns, Cornelia (“Giulio Cesare”, F. Handel), Ninon (“Violet of Montmartre”, E. Kalman), Mother Spring (“Snow Maiden”, N. Rimsky-Korsakov), and other.

ELENA'S  CREATIONS

Vogue

Vogue

Magic Bird ("Magic Flute", W. Mozart) Photo credit: Mike Fotowerks Fashion Scene in Vancouver

Magic Bird ("Magic Flute", W. Mozart) Photo credit: Mike Fotowerks Fashion Scene in Vancouver

Magic Bird ("Magic Flute", W. Mozart) Photo credit: Mike Fotowerks Fashion Scene in Vancouver

Lakme (Lakme, Delibes) Photo credit: Mike Fotowerks Fashion Scene in Vancouver

Lakme (Lakme, Delibes) Photo credit: Mike Fotowerks Fashion Scene in Vancouver

Cornelia ("Giulio Cesare", F. Handel) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Cornelia ("Giulio Cesare", F. Handel) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Mother-Spring ("Snow-Maiden", N. Rimsky-Korsakov) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Mother-Spring ("Snow-Maiden", N. Rimsky-Korsakov) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Ninon ("Violet of Montmartre", E. Kalman) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Ninon ("Violet of Montmartre", E. Kalman) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Dalila ("Samson et Dalila", C. Saint-Saëns) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Dalila ("Samson et Dalila", C. Saint-Saëns) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Mary Crawford ("Mansfield Park", J. Dove) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Silva ("Silva", E. Kalman) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

Silva ("Silva", E. Kalman) VFW 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection

VFW 2022 Spring/Summer The Show

Vancouver Fashion Week 2022 Spring/Summer Fabric of Opera Collection Show

VFW 2022 Spring/Summer With Friends!

DRESSING DIVAS: Heather Pawsey as Silva Soprano, Vancouver Opera Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

DRESSING DIVAS: Charlotte Beglinger as Lakme Mezzo soprano, UBC Opera Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

DRESSING DIVAS: Melanie Krueger as Goddess of Spring Soprano, Vancouver Opera Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

DRESSING DIVAS: Szu-Wen Wang as Cornelia Soprano, Vancouver Opera Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

DRESSING DIVAS: Eve-Lyn de la Haye as Ninon Soprano, Vancouver Opera Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

DRESSING DIVAS Yenni Lee as Magic Bird Mezzo soprano, UBC Opera Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

DRESSING DIVAS Heather Molloy as Dalila Mezzo soprano, Vancouver Opera Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

DRESSING DIVAS with Irena Glezer Ad Libitum Entertainment Photo credit: Michelle Koebke

Dolce & Belcanto Flower Duet

With the dancers "The Crowd" costumes "Into the Little Hill" Astrolabe Music Theatre

"The Crowd" costumes for leads "Into the Little Hill" Astrolabe Music Theatre

"The Crowd" costumes "Into the Little Hill" Astrolabe Music Theatre

Period gowns "Eine Nacht in Venedig" UBC Opera

Crowns "Midsummer Night's Dream" UBC Opera

Carmens and Toreador Dolce & Belcanto opera show

Duke's Outfit "Eine Nacht in Venedig"

Duke's Costume Eine Nacht in Venedig UBC Opera

Reconstructed gown "Eine Nacht in Venedig" UBC Opera

Lead's Gown "Eine Nacht in Venedig" and "La Cenerentola" UBC Opera

Character gown "Eine Nacht in Venedig" UBC Opera

Various Costumes "Eugene Onegin" UBC Opera

Peasant costume "Eugene Onegin" UBC Opera

Peasant costumes "Eugene Onegin" UBC Opera

Teaser hats "Mansfield Park" UBC Opera

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