A purple haze has, indeed, settled on Colorado. Everyday people caught up in the thrill of postseason victory are leading off toward the notion of becoming Rockies superfans, if only for this weekend.
Purple wigs are flying off the foam heads at costume shops, fans are fitting themselves with lavender gloves and deep purple socks, shirts and shoelaces. Even 16th Street Mall performer Robo Mike has transformed his all-silver-and-black costume to include a purple ‘fro and purple accents on his armor.
“This kind of sneaked up on people. It’s making people want to do what they wouldn’t normally do,” says Rick Smith, owner of Studio Lites wig and costume shop on Broadway. “The Rockies are a good team. The players appear to have a certain camaraderie, and people are relating to that. It’s exciting.”
Since the Rockies clinched their spot in the World Series, Studio Lites has seen a steady stream of folks getting creative with their game-day gear, starting with a team jersey, for example, and building on it with purple fedoras and fishnets, lavender wigs and black and white boas.
So look into the closet or the costume shop and consider all you’ve got to work with.
Purple shoes. Purple stocking caps, face paint and glasses. And purple angel wings? Why the hey-hey, nah, nah, not?
– Dana Coffield, The Denver Post
Leah Reddell’s game-day face comes out of a box of a dozen colors. The pro face-painter is gearing up for the home stand this weekend, but has a few ideas about how DIY fans can get the most from a few pots of paint.
First: plan.
“Imagine yourself appearing on national television,” Reddell says with a laugh. “You always see that guy on the JumboTron whose face is painted half black and half purple. Why not take a little extra time and checkerboard your face, or add some splashes of white or dots of white? Think about what’s going to show the world that you should be on national television.”
Then pick your colors and paints, and not from the kid’s art table. “Just because something says ‘nontoxic’ on it doesn’t mean it’s meant to be on your skin,” Reddell says.
Instead, invest in a small kit of paints made for the skin. You can find them at a hobby store, such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby, or at a costume shop, like Marcia’s Costumes in Arvada. “They wash off well, but wear well, too; are easy to apply and look good.”
You can get away with just cakes of white, purple and black. Buy small quantities, unless you have a crew to share with. You’ll use theatrical makeup sponges (less than a buck each) and cheap art brushes to mix the shades and apply your design.
And if you’re planning to, say, paint your big belly to look like a baseball, ask a friend to help. “That can be very time-consuming,” she observes.
Finally, Reddell advises, fear not. “This is Halloween weekend. You have total license to transform yourself, so do it and have fun.”
