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Classical Ballet Tutus, Theatre & Dance Costume

white-green-tutu-theatre-box  white-green-tutu-theatre-box

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Performance quality classical tutus, made to measure by
a costumier trained by Margot Fonteyn's costume maker.
N.B. Most recent designs at base of page.

**Please note, we are considering only offering ready-made tutus in future. The measurements of these costumes will be stated with the photos, and a dancer will be able to visit to try on any costume close to her shape. We appreciate this favours dancers with "ideal" vocational ballet bodies, and will still do made-to-measure orders as an occasional exception, but for an additional fee. Young dancers cannot be expected to be designers, and, I hope, will enjoy choosing from well-thought out, ready-made, professional quality costumes. **

Most recent work at base of page.

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Highest quality couture standard tutus from a costumier who has worked with The Royal Ballet; London Festival Ballet; English National Ballet; Scottish Ballet; Houston Ballet; Moscow Classical Ballet and various student performers including Ballet Rambert. Aurora's tutu was designed for Harlow Ballet Association's 2006 production of 'The Sleeping Beauty'. The pink silk dupion bodice is highlighted with piped seams, gold lace and light reflecting beadwork. Edged in gold lace, the twelve layered skirt is supported by a hoop to give a flattering 'pancake' effect and to withstand extremes of choreography. As with all Rossetti tutus, this costume was made to measure. This professional quality Spanish style tutu is ideal for performances of the popular Kitri solo from 'Don Quixote' The most basic tutu consists of a 12 panel bodice with a skirt of 12 net layers. When made to order the skirt length can be cut according to the dancers height. The tutu skirt can be quite softly tacked as shown or can be a more rigid 'pancake' shape. This kind of classical ballet tutu (hooped) will cost between £500 - 700. Price is determined by the amount of decoration
Tutu Pricing and ordering
information
 		 "Sleeping Beauty"
Aurora Tutu
 
 		 "Don Quixote"
Kitri Tutu
 		 Basic Classical
Tutu
 
Basic Tutu

 
 
 
 

 Royal Blue Tutu

 
 
 
 

 "Crystal Fountain Fairy"
 
 
 		 Classical Tutu
"Golden Lime"
 
 
 
This tutu is inspired by one of the most famous pas de deux danced by Princess Florine and her Bluebird. Its blue/green taffeta bodice with silver lace has dramatic appliqué wing decoration, highlighted with light reflecting beadwork. Lilac Fairy Tutu - The 'bell-shaped' or 'Euro' tutu is an attractive alternative to the classic pancake-shaped tutu. This style replicates a plate tutu during pirouettes and jumps, but adopts a softer shape while still. It has the advantage of being easier to ship in the UK due to the lack of a hoop. This costume was designed to be suitable for the role of Raymonda, the Hungarian princess. The skirt is elaborately appliquéd in gold on a pale blue background, providing a rich contrast with the deep plum velvet bodice also decorated in gold to reflect her regal status. (This tutu is equally suited to the role of Paquita.) Swan feather appliqué decoration on an 'Odette' tutu for London Festival Ballet; Gold lace decoration and beading on a 'Sugar-Plum Fairy' tutu for London Festival Ballet; elaborate appliqué work for the topskirt of a 'Sugar-Plum Fairy' tutu for Houston Ballet.
"Sleeping Beauty"
Bluebird Tutu
 		 "Sleeping Beauty"
Lilac Fairy Tutu
 
 		 "Raymonda" Tutu
 		 Past Ballet Work
 
 
Swanilda's Act I peasant costume consists of a silk dupion bodice with a decorated brocade stomacher with false lacing. Tassets at the waist and seam lines are piped in a contrasting colour. The multi-layered tulle skirt is edged in lace. The costume was made to the highest couture / theatrical standards in order to withstand the rigours of many performances. This dance costume for a 'masked ball' was inspired by the commedia dell'arte character 'Columbina', sweetheart of Harlequin. It is reminiscent of costumes from the ballets 'Carnaval', 'Harlequinade' and the clockwork dolls from 'The Nutcracker'. Just as Harlequin's, this costume has a vividly coloured bodice and skirt which effect a blaze of colour during fast movement. The Renaissance styled sleeves hark back to her 16th century origins in Italian comedy. A made-to-measure classical ballet tutu designed as a competition costume. The twelve layered skirt is supported by a hoop to give a flattering 'pancake' effect and to withstand extremes of choreography. It is overlaid with pleated lace. Shown in emerald green, the silk bodice is elaborately decorated with suitably eye-catching gold detailing, highlighted with sequins and light-reflecting stones. As with all Rossetti tutus, this costume can be made to your specifications; fabric, decoration and colour can be varied (please enquire).
"Coppélia"
Swanilda
 		 Columbina
 
 		 Emerald Tutu "Aurora" Tutu
Silver/Pink
 
 
This made-to-measure classical ballet tutu was designed for a production of 'Sleeping Beauty'. The twelve layered skirt is supported by a hoop to give a flattering 'pancake' effect and to withstand extremes of choreography. It is constructed in the heaviest weight of tutu net (only available in black and white). This is a specialist tutu net, as used by The Royal Ballet and other major companies. The white silk bodice shown is elaborately decorated. A stunning costume of vividly contrasting colours highlighted in gold. The bodice of red silk and black velvet is cut to professional dance costume standards to allow for complete freedom of movement. The skirt of tiered layers of black lace is edged in gold with red ribbon highlights and has adequate volumes of fabric to accomodate the most expansive choreography. This costume is equally suitable for Flamenco, character dance or attending a Masked Ball in typically Spanish style. Odile Tutu from 'Swan Lake' This Black Swan costume was designed for a collaboration between Ballet Rambert and Wimbledon School of Art. Twelve layer 'plate' style classical tutu decorated with silver braid applique and beadwork on bodice and skirt. Draped crystal and bead decoration from shoulder. Inspired by the ballroom scene from the ballet 'Romeo and Juliet', this romantic and lyrical costume is embellished with renaissance style decoration. The bodice and slashed sleeves of crushed blue velvet are highlighted with pink, lilac and silver together with a toning silk changeant chiffon skirt in blue / pink.
"Sleeping Beauty"
Aurora Tutu
(including tutu construction).
 		 Spanish Costume
 		 "Swan Lake"
Odile Tutu
 
 		 "Juliet" Ballroom costume
Swanilda's costumes were designed for Watlington School of Dancing's 25th anniversary production of the ballet 'Coppélia'. The mechanical doll tutu consists of a blue/green metallic organza bodice with intricate appliquéd decoration and an upper bodice of ruched silk tulle. The top layer of the tutu skirt is of a contrasting shot organza over a plain white tutu. Although designed as the Sugar Plum Fairy's tutu from 'The Nutcracker', a costume along these lines would be equaly suitable for Aurora's 'Rose Adage'. It has an elaborately decorated gold lace and brocade bodice with pink and white skirt and dotted tulle topskirt. The separate puffed sleeves are edged in gold lace. (Not necessary as part of the order). Filigree effect headdress with metallic gold roses and applied diamanté for added sparkle. The 'Aurora's Friends' tutus were designed for Harlow Ballet Association's 2006 production of 'The Sleeping Beauty'. The silk dupion bodices were in four toning shades of green, highlighted with gold braid and light reflecting sequin beadwork. As requested, the skirts were softer than a classic 'pancake' shape, although still hooped. The four costumes were shared between eight dancers. These magical fairy costumes were designed for the ballet of the Shakespeare play, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Titania's dress was hired out several times over a period of years to various dancing schools for non-specific fairy characters. It proved to be an extremely useful costume. Finally it had it's chance to be the actual Queen of the Fairies for Watlington School of Dancing's performance of 'The Dream' in 2007.
"Coppélia" Tutu
 
 
 		 "Nutcracker"
Sugar Plum Fairy Tutus
 
 		 "Sleeping Beauty"
Aurora's Friends		 "The Dream"
Titania, Oberon
& Fairies
 
One of the six Fairies invited to the christening of Princess Aurora, the Fairy of Grace's tutu was constructed for Harlow Ballet Association's 2006 production of 'The Sleeping Beauty'. The orange/pink shot silk dupion bodice was highlighted with gold lace and light reflecting sequin beadwork. Matching orange/pink organza formed the front panels of the bodice and the ruched topskirt plate over the two-toned tutu skirt. This dramatic 'Don Quixote'ballet tutu was commissioned by Cheshire Youth Ballet for a series of performances at the Lyceum Theatre, Crewe. The red silk bodice and matching net skirts were set off by the vibrantly contrasting black lace decoration. A matching headdress was constructed with a spanish comb effect and red silk roses.
"Lise" costume

 
 
 
 

 "Sleeping Beauty"
Fairy of Grace
 
 
 		 "Don Quixote"
Tutu
 
 
 		 "Ice Princess"

 
 
 
 
A made-to-measure classical ballet tutu designed for Manx Ballet Company's production of 'Cinderella'. The twelve layered skirt is supported by a hoop to give a flattering 'plate' effect and to withstand extremes of choreography. The gold brocade bodice is elaborately decorated with suitably eye-catching gold detailing, highlighted with sequins and light-reflecting stones. Headdress and sleeve frills were designed to match.
"The Dream"
Peaseblossom Fairy
 
 
 		 "The Dream"
Mustardseed Fairy
 
 
 		 Peach/ Pink
Child's Tutu
 
 
 		 "Cinderella"
White/Gold Tutu
 
 
 
Ivory/Gold brocade
Tutu
 
 
 		 Red/Gold
Tutu
 
 
 		 Pink/Silver
Tutu
 
 
 		 "Moonlight"
Tutu
 
 
 
Tiny Pink
Tutu
 
 
 		 "Mary Poppins"
Costume
 
 
 		 "Mary Poppins"
Costume
 
 
 		 Turquoise/Gold
Tutu
 
 
 
     
Burgundy/Gold
Tutu
 
 
 		      
A day either way can make ALL the difference as to whether I can fit a made-to-measure-tutu order in.

The tutus shown within these pages will rarely be reproduced exactly in every last detail. Net colours in particular and some lace trims vary in availability, and it can depend on the timing of your order as to whether they are in stock, or can be ordered in at the point you need the costume. At the risk of being a bore - the more notice you can give me, the more potential there is to provide you with exactly what you want. I would not recommend an exact duplicate of anything shown, just to avoid the risk of meeting a fellow competitor in the identical tutu! All handmade tutus shown can be varied in colour and details. Decorative beading and appliqué work is a speciality. Your own designs or mine can be realised and made-to-measure to your individual requirements.

Click on each photo to see a devoted page including close-ups and costume construction.

Classical tutus can be ordered with decorated or plain bodices, an internal basque (the fitted part that goes from waist to upper hip) and decorated (usually with applied plates) or plain skirts. Endless colour combinations are possible - the more notice we have of your requirements the more realistic this is. A short notice tutu order might have to depend on colours currently in stock.
Headdresses and jewellery can be created to suit the tutu of your choice.
Orders can be for solo performances or multiples (and variations) of one design for duets, trios and corps work.
Each tutu shown within the website was either a bespoke order or is held here as a sample costume to try on during fittings/consultations.

There are times of the year when I am inundated with requests for costumes all at once - for events such as the All England Dance Competition. Inevitably I have to disappoint some requests for tutus: I have to apply a strict "first come first served" (including signed contract and 50% deposit paid) policy. Please let me know as soon as you win your heat if you are likely to want a tutu - even if it is several months until the actual competition. At present - mid September 2008 - I have had daily enquiries about my availability to make costumes for the middle of October. This is very short notice, but I anticipate it and could fit several costumes into this time-scale. I know exactly how my diary stands. However, if, after your initial query you take several days to go away, find out your availability, and take a long time to get back to me, I'm afraid my diary may no longer be in the same state. I'm afraid I can never guarantee diary space until a deposit is paid.

A limited number of ready-made classical ballet tutus are occasionally available and I might have one to fit you/ your daughter. Please contact me with your full postal address, for an up-to-date list of availability together with measurements. From time-to-time the original sample tutus (as shown on this site) are also made available for sale.

I rarely hire tutus out, but there are exceptions. "Harpers Bazaar" recently asked if tutus could be borrowed for a shoot with Naomi Campbell. Unfortunately, they asked this a mere two days before they were actually needed. I need reasonable notice always - as much as you can possibly manage, even for hiring. The most unusual request to date was for a tutu for a "jewellery box" mannequin in a showroom window to advertise Christian Louboutin shoes (famous for their red soles!) I do tend on the whole to dress real people, but am looking forward to the next unusual request!

Update for "Most Unusual Tutu Request to Date" (February 2009): 36, variably coloured tutu bottom-halves, used upside down and constructed without legholes for a lighting installation at the Jerwood Dance Centre, Ipswich. I'm afraid I had to politely decline due to other commitments...Not sure I would have handled making so many tutus, for them to never actually be worn by dancers!

Congratulations to Charlotte Collins and Matilda Naylor (commended and winner) at the All England Dance National Finals 2007 and possessors of Rossetti professional quality tutus.

    

Professional quality classical ballet tutus and dance costume
Performance quality classical ballet tutus
Competition and Festival Ballet Tutus

  Title photos, courtesy of Moodboard.com (photographer: David Ryle)

  Tutu FAQ         Additional Tutu Information

  E-mail: theresa@rossetti.vispa.com
  Tel/Fax: 01945 773763