Pearl's a Singer... In a Nightclub

"Pearl's a Singer" is a song written by Leiber and Stoller and is featured in the musical revue show Smokey Joe's Cafe. It's a great song which put an image in my head of an older woman that has had her time playing the clubs trying to get her big break, however, it never came and so she is stuck in the corner of a cloudy bar singing old standards and no one pays attention.  Even though she never made it big, she is very content with her life and never goes out with out the proper dress or her make-up (heavily) caked upon her face.  When I started making Pearl, I kind of had a vision of Carol Channing in my head, but a very un-classy version Carol.  Carol has had great success, but Pearl's still just a singer... in a night club.  It all starts with a drawing- originally, Pearl was going to be a bleached blond, but I found some really fun, shaggy yak looking fur for her hair, so I changed.  The only thing I'm a slave to is the glue gun.  Once hot glue meets fleece, fur or fabric- it's all over.  I also put some photos of Carol in my sketchbook.  I think the thing I got most from her was the expression in her mouth.

Next, I started working on a foam base.  I knew Pearl need to be (clear throat) a little fuller in the in the chest area.  First time I've ever done implants.

After getting the foam structure done and a covering of skin, I made her a tight-fitting dress.  It was my wife that said to gather the dress in the front for more... exposure.  It did give her a little more, how shall we put it?  Curve appeal.

A couple of arms complete with elbow length gloves.  Every classy lady wears elbow length gloves ALL. THE. TIME.

Now, time to put the pieces together.

I decided she need a bit of a sleeve.  When she waved I didn't want to see that old lady extra skin jiggle.  Pearl may be bold, but she still has her modesty.

Making the dress floor length.

Add a little jewelry, a sequin overskirt and belt and a little (ok, a lot) of make-up.  I had purchased some round sunglasses at a dollar store and was going to pop the lenses out for Pearl's Carol-inspired eyewear, but then I found a pair horn-rimmed cat glasses in my costume storage, I knew those had to belong to Pearl.

Does anyone remember Grace Jones?  She was an actress that was famous in the '80s.  I think she was in a Mad Max movie at some point.  No, I'm not remembering Tina Turner in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome... but suddenly I hear playing in the back ground "We Don't Need Another Hero... Here in Thunderdome."  Look it up. Anyway, I think Pearl looks like Grace Jones in this picture. 

All that talk of Tina Turner and I realize, she has Tina Turner hair. I just need to put a curve in her hand so she can hold her microphone and Pearl will be ready to sit on her stool and talk about the days with Frank, Dean and Sammy.