I think only a tutu maker can think why yes it’s January and already we need to think about next season. The bulk of the work is complete for Prix, ADC, UBC and Yagp. Now I settle down to draft patterns and begin the little season of teaching. I truly love teaching and cannot wait to welcome returning students who want to delve even deeper into this chaos and of course new students who wish to take their work to the next level. 

Even though my schedule for teaching seems excessive, when there are only 2 persons per class, it still gives me ample time to organize the net shipments from Italy, pretty coloured English tulle from the Pacific Rim and fabrics, laces and trims which will allow a season that is more curated and less influenced by artistic directors and teachers. While I do love a good team, sometimes we need to realize it is best if some of our team sticks to the ballet studio whilst other parts of our team do the designing and stitching.

Which leads me to how to get on the ever shrinking list of clients. It’s quite simple really. Get your variations organized as soon as you can. Don’t keep this a secret. Message me what they are (because I don’t always want to do them – seriously if I make one more Nikiya, I’m going to light myself on FIRE) and give me a heads up on your wish list of delivery dates. Once YAGP announces their semi final dates (usually July 1), my calendar will open. Returning clients and those with locked in variations get first crack. Remember any mailed costumes are considered “ready to wear” which sizing that must be chosen from a list. Unless you are from a studio in Perth or a cutie patootie red head in Sarasota, any mailed custom requests is a hard no.

I will be traveling to California October and January only. I will be in Scottsdale only once mid November as I have an adventure toward the US Thanksgiving.

If you need your costume before those dates, I suggest you checking your passport expiry and road tripping to the Island. 

As a reminder, if I am not feeling your variation, I will more than likely pass on your request. ”Nah, I don’t want to” is something many of you may hear this season and if that is upsetting, sorry (but really I’m not). Let’s remember when you own your own business, you get to choose with whom you create with/for and I want to choose wonderful variations that inspire rather than ones that make me want to throw my sewing machine in the bin.