Wait for It - A Geek Couture design inspired by Aaron Burr from Hamilton
~ d e s i g n d e t a i l s ~
My design started as the question, "What would Aaron Burr wear if he were a rapper walking the Grammys red carpet?"
I knew I wanted to make a streetwear version of an 18th century men’s coat. These coats often had heavy embroidery running down each side, with elaborate hand-stitched motifs. I decided to take this concept and use it to tell Aaron Burr’s story, both in the musical and the real-life man. I heavily researched symbology, including of flowers and plants. So for example, there is rosemary for remembrance, nasturtium for patriotism, and tansy for hostility. There’s also a ship which represents his daughter Theodosia, who was lost at sea. And of course I included my favorite lyrics from Wait For It, “I am inimitable / I am an original.” I love incorporating text into my designs and those lyrics have always spoken to me deeply. This is the special beading that was a result of my friends, far and near, who sent me beads they didn’t want anymore. It’s so special to me that the beading represents my community, and it also adds an eco-friendly bonus that makes me very happy.
The top is a combination of both period and modern menswear inspiration. It’s made of super soft modal jersey from Dharma Trading Co, which I ice dyed using dark and stormy colors inspired by what Aaron Burr wears in the show. I love the ties at the wrist because they give an excellent sense of motion when Lau is in motion. The rope harness represents Burr's tightly restricted personality, and is also a nod to the set, which is rigged to look almost like the deck of a ship.
The joggers are rayon blend purple velvet with a tux stripe made of color-changing fabric. This represents Burr's changing personality through the course of the show.
Design by Sarah Timm @breathcue
Modeled by Lau Miranda
Photos by Rafal Cwiok
Hair/Makeup by Anna Timm
