Monroe's Ruth Ulrich Lands a Royal Opportunity

Ruth Ulrich (pronounced UHL-rick) worked feverishly to design, create and sew gorgeous costumes for her four-year-old daughter’s lead roles at the Strauss Theatre Young Troupe. As the years passed that would equate to a lot of costumes since her daughter, Laura Elisabeth Ulrich, held fifty-four lead roles, ultimately becoming a student of voice under Dr. Laura Thompson at Louisiana Tech University, and at the young age of 17 was one of only 10 Americans selected to take part in the Rome Opera Festival. But that’s another story for another time… 

Some could say that Ruth Ulrich gets her talent honestly. Especially since her aunt was an accomplished costumer in Hollywood that developed wardrobes for many actors including those in the movie, "A Time to Kill".  During an interview with KNOE TV 8, Ruth said, "I spent years watching my aunt and I picked up her techniques. The woman could knock out 15 bridesmaid dresses in 24 hours." 

As a young mom, Ruth used her skills as she says, "I fixed and sewed up my kid's clothes but that wasn't as much fun as making elaborate costumes. I loved making pretty and historic, royal items." 

In 2019, after twenty years of perfecting her craft, all that creativity and eye for design paid off. She entered her first competition and became in first person in Northeast Louisiana to win the Grand Prize at Shreveport Fashion Week for her “Steampunk Wolf” costume that she created in just three days. The costume was featured in the production, "Into the Woods".

For some time, she dreamed of designing something special for Mardi Gras.  She knew she could make a costume that would be perfect for a king and queen, the ultimate in “elaborate”. Concepts were plentiful, she could sketch the designs out and make the finer adjustments to create the perfect pieces. But the opportunity just did not present itself until a chance meeting happened in December of 2022.

While preparing to watch the Christmas parade in Monroe, Ruth was standing on a local balcony when she overheard someone say they needed king and queen costumes for their Mardi Gras krewe. Ruth introduced herself and got some details and managed to become the costume designer for the first king and queen of the Krewe of Pomona in Ruston. The idea of several months to create, adjust, and fine-tune things went out the window.  Ruth had three and a half weeks to get things together. Which was plenty of time considering her Fashion Week experience back in 2019, right?

She came up with some designs that were approved and worked with a Ruston business to digitize the krewe logo to be embroidered on the backs of the costumes.  The Krewe of Pomona gave her free rein, and Ruth got to work.  Sleeping just three to four hours each night, she worked day and night to put together a couple of outfits for the king, scepters, and trailing robes.  Ruth went all out to get things done.  

“It’s not EXACTLY like I want,” Ruth told us.  The faux ermine fur that she wanted to line the collars is in limited supply worldwide.  Ermine is historically viewed as THE fur of royalty, especially for court presentations. Portraits throughout history show the elaborate robes of kings and queens lined with the tails and skins of the small white creature which is preferred moreso than its light brown spring coat. The only bright white material available is being used for Prince Charles’s coronation ceremonial dress.  Nonetheless, she located another white faux fur and decorated it with Swarovski crystals. It looks stunning.

All hail this year's king and queen! The Krewe of Pomona officially announced the inaugural King and Queen of the Krewe of Pomona: Lt. Col. Rowdy Sewell USMC, Ret, King Pomona I, and Mrs. Pam Cathey Jones, Queen Pomona I.

Originally from Ferriday, LA, Rowdy is a retired Marine Aviator with 23 years of active duty and reserve service.  He served in 5 major overseas deployments flying over 100 combat missions.  He is currently a Captain for American Airlines based out of DFW.  Rowdy is husband to Marion, and father to Rosemary, Frances, and Juliette.

Pam is a life-long resident of Lincoln Parish.  She served as the parish Tax Assessor for 12 years, retiring after more than 30 years of work in the office.  Following her retirement, she began a second career in real estate culminating with the opening of her own brokerage Louisiana Orchard Realty. Pam is wife to Mike, mother to Caty Simmons, Michelle Landry, and William Jones, and grandmother to Lily Cate, Sutton, Shepherd, Beau, and Izabela.

So, did Ruth hit the deadline of January 3, 2023? Yes, she did!  The Master Costumer, Ruth Ulrich, has done it again. And while there is no parade taking place, this first year, the king and queen will be on full display at several events around town and visiting schools in their full attire. 

We think the Krewe of Pomona has two queens this year, Ruth Ulrich and Pam Cathey Jones, all hail the queens!