It
is sort of like the Louisiana Music Factory for fabric and crafts, but only genuine
locals shop there. Jefferson Variety is your one-stop destination store for
beads, feathers, and brocade. Whatever you need for your Mardi Gras and parading
costumes you can find there. Lindsey Phillips introduces viewers to the
employees and customers of Jefferson Variety in the short documentary The Exceptionally Extraordinary Emporium (trailer here), which airs as
part of the current season of Reel South on
PBS’s World Channel (hosted by Darius Rucker).
Dressing
up and looking good is a way of life in New Orleans. It is not just for Mardi
Gras, but that is the Super Bowl of New Orleans parading. It is a lovely tradition
that helps make New Orleans such a distinctive place and forges so many friendships
amongst the benevolent parade societies—and with the staff of Jefferson
Variety.
Phillips
gives us a bit of historical background on the store itself and the various
traditions it supports, like the Mardi Gras Indian tribes. However, it is
mostly about appreciating the colorful costumes that are crafted out of the
store’s sequins and boas. Even if you are not a fashionista, the costumes look
pretty cool, really because they are so New Orleans. The film also sounds
terrific thanks to the on-location recorded performances of Krewe of Eris and
the McDonogh No. 35 Marching Band.
