Hanlin

Another homage to the ballet school I trained at, this version of Waltz of the Flowers was inspired by the Corps de Ballet of the Goleta Civic Ballet's annual Nutcracker. The sash of the original costume is green. I've titled this costume 'Hanlin' after my teachers, Bob and Carol Hanlin.

Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers

This early costume was inspired by the tiered romantic tutu worn by the New York City Ballet's Corps de Ballet during the Waltz of the Flowers.I loved how well the bodice fit Clea.

I made a second one and sold it on eBay. I didn't sell much on eBay, although I originally intended to. I am something of a perfectionist- I remember making quite a few of those bodices to get one that fit perfectly so I would feel confident standing behind it.

A fun thing about this costume is that I designed it so the top layer of tutu was attached to the bodice, and the two bottom layers were attached to the skirt. So without the bottom skirt, the whole outfit had more of a classical tutu look. I also applied rhinestones to the flowers and leaves that make up the accents and headdress on this costume- an homage to the 'Rose Petal' dolls my sisters and I played with as kids!

Nutcracker: Spanish Dancer

This costume is one I did as a tribute to the studio I danced with as an adolescent; The Goleta Civic Ballet. They had the most wonderful Nutcracker! As aspiring dancers, all of us younger students would learn the principal parts in hope that someday we would get to play those roles. I moved on to jazz and modern dance before I had the opportunity, but part of me always wishes I could have danced those parts.

My absolute favorite was the Spanish Dancer. She danced an energetic, brisk allegro that ended with marvelous fouette turns. And it seemed like all the older dancers that I idolized danced this role at some point.

The bodice of this costume is very close to my inspiration, but I made it a tutu (the one that inspired it was a knee length, circle skirt). I am very happy with how it turned out- very impactful and a nice feeling of scale.