LA Opera is having a once-in-a-decade costume sale

By Fiona Ng

Published Jun 21, 2025 5:00 AM

The photo depicts a group of people dressed in period costumes, likely from the 18th or 19th century. At the center is a woman in an elaborate red dress adorned with intricate patterns and a feathered hat, holding a basket of red flowers. Around her are several men in various outfits—one in military attire and others in work clothes and hats. The setting appears to be indoors, with large windows featuring yellowish panes in the background, suggesting it might be part of a theatrical performance or a historical reenactment.

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All the world is but a stage and there's no reason why one shouldn't look their finest stepping onto it.

A rare chance to pick up some fabulous pieces is on hand Saturday, as L.A. Opera opens up its renowned closet for a costume sale. Last time that happened was a decade ago.

Thousands of pieces — from a number of retired productions including Madame Butterfly, Macbeth and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny — are up for grabs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sale items include accessories, shoes, jewelry, as well as entire outfits that span styles and eras from the Victorian to the avant garde.

Listen • 1:47

Listen: Inside the sale

A rare chance to pick up some fabulous pieces is on hand.

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"As you know, productions of opera can be in almost any period," said Jeannique Prospere, costume director at L.A. Opera.

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Take The Girl of the Golden West, an opera set during the California gold rush in the mid-1800s. "We have a lot of distressed leather jackets with fringe and things like that," she said.

The majority of pieces in the sale were commissioned for a particular production, and it's not unusual for big names from the worlds of art and fashion to be attached. In the case of Carmen, it was Spanish avant garde fashion designer Jesús del Pozo. And German visual artist Achim Freyer not only directed his visionary rendition of Wagner's Ring cycle, but designed the clothes as well.

The photo features a person wearing an ornate, richly decorated coat adorned with intricate patterns and designs. The background is dark, which helps highlight the vivid details of the coat.

Not only that, some garments on offer were worn by opera's biggest singers including Catherine Malfitano and Ildebrando d'Arcangelo.

" It's something that someone custom-made. There might be only one of it in the world," Prospere said.

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Prospere expects everyone from fashionistas to indie film and theater productions to those looking for a jaw-dropping Halloween get-up to show up Saturday. More than 1,700 people have RVSP-ed for the event, she said.

The photo captures a theatrical performance featuring several actors on stage. At the center is a person in a flowing blue costume, standing with arms raised above their head. Around them are other actors in elaborate costumes— some are seated or reclining on cushions, while others are standing. The dark background suggests the scene is set indoors or during nighttime, enhancing the dramatic atmosphere.

" I know we say costumes, but it's just definitely not the throw away wear it once kind of thing," Prospere said. "They are very artistic. They really do tell stories."

How to go

Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion ,135 N. Grand Ave, Los Angeles
Date and time: Saturday, June 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For those who can't make it in person, there's an online auction ending tonight at 9 p.m.