TRACY HARRIS – Staff Writer
The Wilted Tulip Costumes collaborated with Lewisburg Square Decorating Committee to bring the Paper Moon Photo Booth. It is right in the heart of the square at Public Square Park between Parson’s Pharmacy and Small Town Games. The booth can be used by people in wheelchairs too since the layered pieces are set up with a space between the moon and cloud boards. For the best photos, stand far enough away that your camera does not pick up the bricks in between the boards. It really helps give the illusion of being up in space on the moon.
Savannah and Summer in their photobooth
Savannah and Summer Cole, twin sisters, own The Wilted Tulip Costumes. They were asked to create something on the square for Christmas and they agreed with one condition-they could do a Halloween themed project first. Halloween is their favorite holiday for a few reasons, “It’s a holiday without family drama, it’s one day you can be whatever you want, and there aren’t so many societal rules around it.” They started this project back in July and it is their largest construction piece so far.
Savannah and Summer were homeschooled when they were young and absolutely hated History. Their mom tried to find ways to make it interesting to no avail. Years later, they studied fashion throughout different eras of history and fell in love with the subject. They graduated from Cornersville High School in 2009 and went on to Freed-Hardeman University where they both received a B. S Biology with a concentration in Environmental Sciences in 2013.
They did work as undergardeners for a few years before their business really took off. They got to a point where they put everything else to the side to focus on building their brand and they became fully self-employed in 2018. They create custom commissions and particularly enjoy doing unique pieces. They hand sew and embroider pieces for the Renaissance Festival, Dickens Christmas themed events, Comic Con, cosplay, weddings, photo shoots, and historical reproductions.
Four of their 18th century stays (a precursor to corsets) were worn in the opening scene of Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. They knew that they were purchased for a TV show, but due to the secretive nature of the industry they did not know which one until it aired.
One of their most recent commissions, College Man, was a graduation present from grandparents to their grandson. The embroidery tells the story of a boy born and raised in Middle Tennessee planning to go to Texas for college in the fall. Themes of Wyoming and the desert were placed on the jacket to honor the family’s favorite vacations. This suit was embroidered and rhinestoned entirely by hand and it took more than 409 hours.
Why a paper moon photo booth? Savannah said, “The reason why we wanted to do the paper moon is because we wanted to give the community something to do that was free. With the way the economy is right now, you kind of have to create your own magic.” Getting your photo taken was a big deal in the late 1800s until cameras became more advanced. Until the 1950s, photographers traveled with carnivals and set up booths for people to get their photographs taken. One of the most common photo booths during this time was a paper moon made with a bench, paper, fabric backdrops, and paint.
It will really help if the community uses #LewisburgPaperMoon when posting their photos on social media. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy under The Wilted Tulip Costumes. They volunteer at the Marshall County Arts Guild during summer camps and instruct different sewing classes throughout the year.
