About Us

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​​Owner, Designer and more for Midnight Orchid Design

​​​www.midnightorchiddesign.com

I was born into a Civil War Sutlering family, which is where my sewing started at a young age.  I won my first stitch counter seamstress competition at the age of 9 - to this day the outfit is in a museum in Virginia.  I spent many years on this path and at the age of 15 was introduced into the SCA where I discovered the belly dancer.  I remember standing in the shadows around a fire watching these beautiful women, my mom whispered to me, “Do you want to learn?” There in the shadows my mother taught me my first dance steps.  I laterlearned those ladies dancing around the fire where Maria Hamer and Olivia Kissel.  I was especially lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from these very dancers while living in Pittsburgh.  Much of my dance background was learned from those early years of dancing around fires and learning to mimic.  I’ve had a variety of teachers and been in a few dance troupes, currently I perform in Troupe SYN with Mickey Gibson, whohas taught me many new things. As a troupe we have performed at Wasteland weekend, on stage with Steve Archer for the Stoneburner projects, and in an Ego likeness video to name a few.

But back to it.  During those years, I came across a problem… clothing…  nothing fit. I was tall and do not like synthetics, which pushed me from 15 years old onward to make my own dance clothing; first it was just for me and then for a few friends now all over the world.  One particular client sticks out in my head because her problem was an age old one: bras are never big enough and are uncomfortable.  So this my friends is where I harnessed the power of the X back bra and a 34H bra cup, which not only defies gravity, it reduced shoulder pain and stays on while dancing on stage.  (Never lost a boob yet… oh wait! That’s another story). From that point on I kinda started Midnight Orchid Design.  

While delving into SCA, bellydance, and clothing design I camped with Pandora’s Box at Pennsic.  They were all performers of many kinds.  So along with my dancing I fell in love with the fire staff and started playing and practicing.  From that point forward I enjoyed performing with fire fingers and later learned to breathe fire.  I will say it has been years since I have had the opportunity to play, but that comes with a reason.  There was a time at Pennsic where fire was being banned, andthat empowered me further, and I became a defender of fire performance art and curator of performers at war.  Luckily I wonthe battle and created a great guideline that helped keep a wonderful part of our nightlife going.  To this day I still help run things and we do the largest fire show for War at Pandora’s Box on Sunday Sunday Sunday.  You may have seen me. ;-)

Side note:  I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for Interior Design.  I worked in the field off and on for many years, from simple designs to full time design assistant.  During those years the companies I worked with where published and prized for many great projects.  I have also worked on the construction side.  What does that have to do with this journey? Well…it shows my art background and my desire to learn and work in mixed media with multiple outcomes…I love to understand how the whole process works.   

Back to MOD… For years it was a second job and a great outlet for my love of art.  As things grew I was asked if I could create something for the Steampunk world.  I had no idea what I was walking into, but said sure and the hitcher skirt and obi bolero set was born…today are key pieces in my line of clothing.  I started to do conventions and have never looked back.  My clothing line covers, but is not limited to: Belly dancing, steampunk, Fairies and all woodland or water creatures, street wear, dystopian and just about anything I can think up.  Many of my items are upcycled and I love the challenge of the right custom design.  I have had the luck to be featured in a few magazines: Coswise, Observer Good Times Ct., and Dark Beauty for my designs.  I have headed up and been involved in many fashion shows (COGS, Steampunk Fredrick, and SPWF to name a few), and have started being involved in maker’s panels.  I have been very lucky to work with amazing models in the US to Germany. Photographers from Jill Hart, Bob Plant, Greg Buyalos of GB3Arts, CCR Pictures, JP Photography, Babette Daniels Photography, Dancers Eye, and many more.  The last few years I have been running, designing, making and traveling with Midnight Orchid Design and loving the journey it is taking me on.  I love the feeling of watching a clients face light up when something fits right and makes them feel beautiful.

Emerendia got her start in costuming in the late 1990’s, to prepare for attending the Pennsic Wars, 28. After receiving her first sewing machine as a gift, she went on to complete a Dressmaking and Design correspondence course to become a certified Dressmaker in 2004. She trained under professional tailors for a year, and has been designing, redesigning and manufacturing clothing and costuming ever since.

Fun Fact: Emerendia used to be a funeral director and YES!, has embalmed bodies! With a flair for the dark and spooky, Em’s designs always lean on a practical yet elegant aesthetic.

Along with her husband Steve, Em is a long time resident of Pittsburgh where they are joined by their elderly Chihuahua, Iggy Pop. In her spare time, she enjoys studying cello, practicing yoga, reading, cooking vegan food and tending her plants and gardens.