Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard (film)

Actress Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard as Norma Desmond. Actor Richie Lillard does a parody of the famous staircase scene.

The movie "Sunset Boulevard" was originally directed by Billy Wilder, starring Gloria Swanson, Bill Holden , Eric Von Stroheim.

Richie Lillard - Facebook
Richie Lillard - Flickr 

Folsom Street fair

Folsom Street fair 2011

Folsom Street Fair took place on Folsom street located in the Soma district of San Francisco on Sunday 25th of September 2011.We saw the fairgrounds filled with people in their most outrageous leather/rubber/ fetish attire enjoying the worlds largest and best loved leather fair.

Flogging, said the man wielding the heavy leather instrument, is like giving someone a massage. A really deep massage.
"It does feel good" confessed the recipient of the lashing, whose naked back glowed pink as he stepped off the St. Andrew's Cross metal rack, upon which he had been blindfolded and bound at the wrists before a crowd of onlookers.

You either get it or you don't'

Davis said she tests new paddle designs on her "collared sub," who turned out to be the cashier. Pointing at the woman in jeans and purple corset who was wrapping up a sale, Davis said, "That's mine."




Any fetish you desire there and a few that you may not desire, but that is what makes this such an amazing event. No one judges and there is a feeling of familiarity and family.
 There were all sorts of leather daddies, and rubber women. I was dressed as Jesus Christ.





With thanks to over 500 volunteers, associates, board members, sponsors and staff, the fair was a great success.


Next year, as always, it will be located in San Francisco's South of Market district on Folsom Street between 7th and 12th Streets. [See Map] Donations at the gates and proceeds from beverage purchases will benefit a new roster of non-profit charities from the San Francisco area and beyond.
Remember, the Folsom Street Fair^® is always scheduled for the last Sunday in September. 
http://www.youtube.com/RichieLillard

Designer Richie Lillard Links:

• Designer Richie Lillard - YouTube
• Designer Richie Lillard - Flickr
• Email
• Google voice 415-326-3186

Folsom Street Fair Links

www.sfgate.com
folsomstreetfair.org
http://folsomstreetfair.org/magnitude

Halloween costumes

Need to make a Halloween Costume?

With the Halloween season just around the corner,  you have no idea who you are going to be nor what you are going to wear. . . .

Shall you be Andora from Bewitched? Donna Summers? Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp? A witch, vampire, ghost, clown, or bag lady  . . Well you have some options   . . . .

1. Make a Halloween Costume.
2. Purchase a prepackaged /or/ rent a costume from a local Halloween Shop.
3. Visit your local thrift stores and create a costume from existing garments.
4. Hire Designer Richie Lillard to create a costume just for you.

As a San Francisco clothing designer, I have created costumes for various theater groups and individual clients.  Also, I know "how to create a great Halloween costume on a budget?"   In order to be successful, you must remember to keep an open mind and remember almost anything can be used as a piece of your costume.

Therefore. recently, I have created a youtube video on how to piece together a costume that is certain to get you noticed. In this video I walk through the San Francisco, Mission District and visit Thrift Town (among other thrift stores) and give costume advice using second hand and vintage clothing.

Check out the Halloween Costume Video

Designer Richie Lillard Links:

• Designer Richie Lillard - YouTube
• Designer Richie Lillard - Flickr
• Email
• Google voice 415-326-3186

Halloween Costumes Links:

Halloween Costumes
The Costume Page
Children's Halloween Costumes
Halloween - How to Make

Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley

"Hallelujah" a word that evokes a sense of glory and elation. This is truly a powerful word and is said to be the greatest word of praise in three major world faiths. The song "Hallelujah"covered by the late great performer Jeff Buckley is said to be the most beautiful rendition and has been used in many television shows including "West Wing".

 As I listen to this hunting music, I fight back the tears. For me this song represents a longing and a hope. A hope that even at its worst... there is always hope... even if it is dark and the night is long... there is hope. Sometimes I do not communicate well, sometimes I look like a pit bull and snarl at the one I love. I sometimes cannot believe that after all this... someone still loves me. So if you are in times of trouble and stress, look up.

Whomever you find your peace in, look up and never forget what makes you laugh. The Dali Lama says that if you do not laugh, you will not make it through this life.

I love you.

Inspiration is All Around Us

I feel that it is important to pay homage to history, but not duplicate it... rather be inspired. As many of you have seen, I am full of costume ideas and indeed wear them frequently. In my work, there are traces of old royalty... Sometimes it is Marie Antoinette, sometimes it is Queen Elizabeth I.


Recently a friend of mine asked me to create something special and I cannot wait to show you what I have planned, but you must wait for the unveiling.






















I leave you with this. "Think outside the box" and "remember that inspiration is around you, if you open your eyes.














QueenElizabeth/oscars.com
http://www.youtube.com/richielillard

Acting coach San Francisco

I have decided that I need to be an  acting coach.
The idea started because I have been teaching theatre  to children with a company known as "Bay Area Summer Camps". Then it continued when I was enlisted to help a friend with a script he was learning.

It turns out that the children I have been teaching were able to learn a 30 minute script, with 2 songs and Fosse inspired choreography in only 3 days. My friend was able to memorize his script for his class in one afternoon.

I love theatre and i know that I am good at what I do. If I can inspire and help others to empower themselves then I have reached my goal. I feel that through the art of theatre, we not only entertain but make others to feel. they may hate, they may love, or they may cry and laugh, but as long as they FEEL!!!

If you are looking to improve your acting skills or if you are needing self empowerment to ask for the promotion... I am your guy.

As Shakespeare once said " all the world is a stage and all the people its players"
Oscar Wilde " all the world is a stage... but it is poorly cast"
If you would like to cast your life better... Hire a coach.

An Elizabethan / Baroque Jacket

Not so common bicycle gear

Recently, I created an amazing Elizabethan / Baroque jacket for AIDSLifecycle Cyclist, Tony Eason. Tony Eason biked (along with 3,000 fellow cyclist) from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the fight against the AIDS Pandemic.

The fifth day of the AIDSLifecycle Event is titled 'Red Dress Day." However, being a man of his own, Tony Eason decided he did not want to wear a dress nor did he want to wear red. So together, we visited Britex,  Discount Fabrics and Beyond Beads.  Soon later, I returned home with orange raw silk and very fancy beads.

I went to work sketching, making the pattern, sewing the garment, hand beading the garment, and finally hand embroidering the "OM" sign. Sewing was not a problem,  I could of had it finished in three days.  Yet, because of all the hand detail... it took me something like forty five days. None the less, it was a raging success.

How to make an Elizabethan / Baroque Jacket

Shakespearean Elizabethan Baroque Doublet - Flickr Photos

"Born, Porn, Torn" A warning to actors

"Born, Torn, Porn" A warning to all actors.


I went to a "casting call" after reading about this independent film on a reputable actors site. I submitted myself for a paid position as the antagonist and to my elation I got the audition. I was really excited as I am not usually cast as anything but the most loved and well liked person, which I feel makes me too one sided. I had learned my lesson on other projects and decided I will not do art for free, so the first words out of my mouth were " How much do I get paid?" the answer was given that he did not have the budget planned out and that even when he does it will be a small budget. I then asked about the shoot schedule and was given the same half answer. I decided to play along for a minute as sometimes the project is worth some frustration. He began to tell me the plot line and I must admit I found it very intriguing. It was a psychological thriller full of twists and turns. At the point he almost had me he announced that the film is "kind of a porno".

I am not holier than thou and have often considered working in the adult business. I have been very desperate at times, both financially and the never ending need for someone to tell me that I am attractive. Though I turned him down, I wonder if my answer would have been different had he offered me a thousand, or five thousand, or twenty thousand. Would I allow myself to be bought and sold as nothing but an object? Yet with these questions running through my mind, I stop and contemplate on how everyday I sell myself. I go out there in front of casting agents and film directors and again I am that same frightened young man saying "please love me" and  "please tell me I am worthy". I sell myself everyday, but so does the world. To prove this point, why is it that we do not jump and laugh and sing when we feel like it? It is for the same reason of " Please like me, please tell me I am worthy. please let me be like you."

I am not suggesting that we go to the nearest street corner, though if that IS something you want to do, then do it but make certain you are paid well for it. I am just tired and I say two things
(#1. there is no rest for the weary
(#2. beauty sleep is only for those that need it.
If you are talented, go sell yourself in the way that is going to make you the happiest.


 actor site
actors network

Baroque Costume Design

The late Baroque era, in my opinion, was a beautiful time in costume history. It was the age of excess... for those that could afford it. Pastels reigned as colour of choice for nobles. The reason for being is that light colours were difficult to  produce and more importantly... keep clean. Wigs were all the rage because it allowed one to have elaborate hair with changeable styles but to keep natural hair cropped short.             

I remember my love of the Baroque since my youth. at the "Old age" of fifteen, I decided to wear knee breeches a powdered wig and a beauty mark. My mother stopped upon my departure from the house and said  "NO! people already look at you strangely and I will not have this!" But to me it felt right to wear it, but I listened and changed my clothes. It was not until many years later that I tried it again. First in Las Vegas as a fancy dress costume. Then again in Greece where it became part of my standard wardrobe.





















In my work I do not ever like to copy something completely, but to allow myself to be inspired by the original. I recently designed an elaborate Baroque inspired costume using vintage fabric from the 1960's with a very "mod'' pattern and texture.  I actually needed something to wear to the opening night gala of the San Francisco Ballet. I had originally decided to purchase something new, but through the persuasion of a dear friend, created something unique and original.  I am aware that not everyone can nor have the desire to wear this in full 18th century style. When I wore it to the ballet, I wore no make-up and a natural hair with a well fitted black shirt. This costume was the rage of the Gala!!!

Related Costume Design Links:

• Baroque Costume Design History
• 18th century costuming
• Richie Lillard Baroque Designer 

Loneliness.... is a bitch

I m here listening to the Beatles, more specifically "Yesterday". I live in a city and am surrounded by thousands and yet today I feel so alone. I am tired of working to what seems to be no end... but I will pick myself up and carry on. I have not heard back from the musical I was supposed to be cast in, nor from the band seeking a new lead singer and I have not heard from the photographer I was supposed to meet. I also have not heard from the agency in Los Angeles, nor have I heard from my boyfriend. I know this sounds like the worst self pity party ever... I do not pity myself, I am just venting to the internet. Now that I am not working full time it gives me more time to think and that is not always good. A great friend of mine says " your mind is like a beautiful crystal clear lake, then a pebble falls into the water creating ripples. The ripples continue to grow until the entire lake is muddy and clear vision is impaired." He goes on to say " Do not be disturbed by little pebbles that fall into your life. control your mind and you control your future".

I just feel so alone and abandoned today. I know it shall pass.... but it is sad today. http://www.facebook.com/RichieLillard

Love

So I am in love.

You may ask" what else is new?"

It would seem that I have "been in love'' a few times. Looking back with fondness, I can truly say that I was in love with them. The funny thing is that I am STILL in love with them... only it is different.I look back and am thankful that each one was in my life. I loved some of them for their kindness, and others for their sense of humor. I remember the student from mexico, the interior designer, the dancer and I have no doubt that these men loved me too.

Yet, the man that I wish to marry, the man that is my friend and lover is a cyclist and he is the kindest and sweetest man I have ever known. He told me he was there to empower me and he did and continues to do so. When we met there was an instant attraction from both parties, though he sometimes does not know how to deal with my Cheshire cat smile. However,  looming  amid our love affair is the thought that I will soon be moving for work.

He is so very special to me and I cannot stand the thought that we will be alone in our beds. When I think of not being able to kiss and hug him, I feel like crying. I know we will always be friends but as a human heart, i need his touch.

 http://www.modelmayhem.com/1947030