“Every time I have directed Aida before this summer, I’ve done it on a very large scale,” said director Francesca Zambello. “Now, to do an intimate version of it is a thrilling discovery for me. The chance to focus on the characters and not on spectacle has allowed us to understand the story and Verdi’s music in what feels like a very fresh and contemporary way.”

One aspect of the opera that does get a dose of opulence is the costume design. Up-and-coming New York fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra was tapped to create the couture for the production, which runs through August 25.

“I turned to Bibhu—whose clothes I wish I could wear all the time—to create a world that is evocative of the contemporary Middle East, but that could create its own mythic language,” the director told The Observer. Ms. Zambello was delighted with Mr. Mohapatra’s results, saying, “His understanding of character and translating it into color and fabric and design has been revelatory for all of us in the theater.”

Below the jump, we speak to Mr. Mohapatra about his first swing at designing opera costumes.

Designing for opera! How was that?

It was an amazing experience. I loved every bit of it. I have always loved Aida and when Francesca invited me to design the costumes for the Glimmerglass production, I was ecstatic. The Glimmerglass Festival has an amazing team that works tirelessly on every production every summer.  I had a ball working with the costume shop, which is run by Jodi Zanetti.

What do you think of Aida as an opera?

To me, Aida is a perfectly balanced story for an opera. It has everything in it.  Love, passion, sorrow, joy, courage, honor, power, celebration and mourning...all weaved in to one story of love and sacrifice.  The story is a great landscape for designing costumes for each character, principals and chorus.

What was the best part of this experience?

Coming from a fashion background, the most exciting part for me was the preparation before actually designing. I had multiple meetings with Francesca Zambello, Lee Savage, Eric Sean Fogel and Jodi Zanetti to find out about the setting, to get into the story, into each character and the roles they play. The balance between the contemporary setting and the traditional story and music presented me with the exciting challenge of coming up with design ideas for each character including the chorus.  It’s like Aida in modern haute couture.

Had you ever visited Glimmerglass or Cooperstown before?

Yes, I have been to Glimmerglass before. Last summer I saw the production of Medea and A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck... Loved it. It is a great setting on the Lake Otsego. In Cooperstown, there is the Baseball Hall of Fame; I have not been there yet.

What would be your biggest fashion advice for Glimmerglass folk?

I really do not have any fashion advice for Glimmerglass. But maybe the baseball aficionados can dress more colorful and fun and try to take advantage of the Glimmerglass Festival more? For Glimmerglass, I hope they keep the interesting mixture of talent that they bring together every summer.  This is what sets it apart from others.

Honoree Carlen Altman with her mother Suzy Friedman

It was an eclectic mix of (relative) youngsters at the James Hotel last night, where society fixture Kristian Laliberte hosted Refinery 29's party for its 30 Under 30 list.

Like the assortment of goodies from Dylan's Candy Bar available for noshing, this year's list was a macédoine of hipsters; ranging from Saturday Night Live's John Mulaney to Solange Knowles, ostensible socialite Olivia Palermo, and artist Nick Poe. (None of whom, unfortunately, attended the party.)

After accepting a Stoli Vodka Hot "Firefighter" cocktail (nothing like spicy vodka to beat the heat), we sidled up to Mr. Laliberte to find out what, exactly, the criteria for the list was. And, ahem, why no journalists made the cut.

"Honestly, we didn't want to run the same famous faces that make every list," Mr. Laliberte told The Observer after our obligatory cheek-kiss. "We wanted to introduce our audience to people who are creative across the board, who aren't just doing one thing."

"And we do have an editor on the list," he countered, referring to Teen Vogue's former accessories editor, Shiona Turini, who is currently working with Carine Roitfeld on her new magazine, CR Fashion Book.

Okay, we'll allow it: after all, Refinery 29 is ostensibly a fashion site, not Poynter.org. Besides, we had just spotted the lovely Carlen Altman--a multi-tasker in the arts if there ever was one--who had brought her mother as her date. In addition to her line of Jewish rosaries and her stand-up comedy, Ms. Altman's first feature film, Color Wheel, was chosen for BAMcinemafest's line-up.

"It's the year of Oberlin!" Ms. Altman toasted, referring to the success of college contemporaries Lena Dunham and Ry Russo Young. On cue, designer Yara Flinn, another alum from the Ohio liberal arts school, entered the premises. The beauty behind Nomia's fashion line looked stunning, though admitted she was tired after a long day at a trunk show.

"We'll buy any clothing you have left over!" we practically begged. Ms. Flinn graciously told us to stop by her studio for a private viewing. We've never been so proud to have gone to school in a sea of corn.

Other guests of the evening included a bevy of fashionistas and designers, including Yigal Azrouel, Erin Fetherston, SUNO's Max Osterweis, Harley Viera Newton, Bibhu Mohapatra, Lulu Frost's Lisa Salzer, Timo Weiland, Alejandro Ingelmo, Eleanor Ylvisaker, Bonnie Morrison, Claude Morais, Lorenzo Martone, Nary Manivong, Tracy Antonopoulos, Wes Gordon, Michelle Siwy, Kate Foley, Lyle Owerko, Karen Duffy, Fiona Byrne, Christian Cota, and Jamie Johnson.