By Jere Hough Meteorologist / Feature Reporter
Published: Fri, February 16, 2007 - 6:02 am
Last Updated: Wed, August 29, 2007 - 3:43 pm
Last Updated: Wed, August 29, 2007 - 3:43 pm
Jere Hough
Patricia Halsell-Richardson is a psychiatric nurse...by day. After work she gives herself a little therapy...designing and then sewing, clothes for Kings and Queens and their attendants.
She explains, "This is the way I like to relax...something to keep me busy."
Busy...with a roomful of imported fabrics decorated with countless crystals from Austria, faux pearls, and seemingly miles of ornate gold and silver ribbons.
Mardi Gras is the absolute deadline, so now it's just finishing touches for Halsell-Richardson and her crew, Mary Funderburk, Saunja Johnson, and daughter, Carla Lett.
This all began almost eleven months ago when she met with the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, MAMGA's, 2007 Royalty. "The Queen and King both came over together the first of April."
First a theme for the train is chosen
"The Queen's family is all into music. They all play an instrument or sing. So her train is all about music," says Halsell-Richardson gesturing toward one of the trains.
She continues, "I wanted to have a piano, especially a baby grand piano, that looked real. I wanted it to look like it was popping out at you." ... "I found a picture of an actual baby grand piano."
She enlarged it and made a cut out. The keyboard is white ultra-suede, black ribbon and tiny rhinestones are the black keys...black thread completes the effect. But...what did the Queen say-
Halsell-Richardson smiles, "She walked in her and saw this, she just hollered. She says, 'Oh, I couldn't believe it was going to look like this. Oh, Miss Pat, it's just beautiful.'"
Since she was Halsell-Richardson has been making her own clothes. And then, about twenty years ago...
"My niece was in the Court," says the seamstress, "and everybody, you must make her gown and train. And I made her gown and train and everybody loved it, and since then (Gestures UP, UP, UP)
Back then, she got some extra help...from another Mardi Gras designer and seamstress. "Karen Thornton is my second mom. She is my mentor. She has been wonderful."
Meteorologist Jere Hough holds up a well-feathered hat. "Well there's no doubt that Mardi Gras outfits can be a little gaudy...a little flamboyant, but theycan also be real works of art. On County Road 5 in Mobile, I'm Meteorologist Jere Hough."
(TAG) HALSELL-RICHARDSON FIRST TAUGHT HOW TO SEW BY HER MOTHER.
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