Black and white tutu skirts are made from specialist tutu net, as supplied to The Royal Ballet. It has the essential stiffness required, combined with lightness and durabilty. For coloured tutus, nets may be imported from America, (although more recently UK nets have become available). These are the same quality as used by the major American companies such as ABT. Lighter weight nets can also be used effectively - this increases possible colour choices to forty or more. See "The Fairy of Grace" (hooped) and the "Lilac Fairy"(un-hooped) on the Index - both use soft nets.

As well as working with professional performers, theresa has trained to an advanced level of ballet (BBO, RAD & ISTD, Morley College) and therefore thoroughly understands the rigours and punishments costumes have to survive. She realise where they need to stretch and recover, where allowances for expansion are needed and how to prevent any hindrances to spine, leg and arm movement.

Pratice tutu ("proper" hooped tutu, but with basque and skirts only) - £400 Undecorated classical tutu with bodice piping and light boning - £500 - £590 (Click on "Basic Classical Tutu" on Index Page). Fully decorated classical tutu - £610 to £800 ( Click on "Bluebird/ Princess Florine" and "Raymonda" tutus on Index page).

Above prices are averages: requests for special fabrics, eg. lace top skirts can increase the price.  Rossetti will provide a quote after the initial consultation, when we have worked out exactly what you require.

All costumes are individually ordered, designed and made-to-measure to the highest professional standards. The tutus shown on this site are only a guide to what is possible. You are only limited by your imagination!

As an exception to the Made-to Measure rule, we do plan to prepare a stock of ready-made tutus towards the end of this year in anticipation of next years All England Competition. We tend to find that finalists in this competition only start to look for their costume at the last minute; they all do so at once, and inevitably we have to disappoint some requests. As most young girls who reach a certain level within amateur competitions, become associates of the major ballet schools, or gain entrance to the major vocational schools, tend towards a certain body-type, we think it will be worthwhile constructing a quantity of tutus in advance. We retain all prototype tutus, toiles and patterns and have, for instance, "Age 11, White Lodge shape", "Age 15 Arts Ed shape", "Age 16 Elmhurst shape" etc. They will be shown on this site as soon as they are available. It will still be necessary to visit to try the costume on.

Designer's Notes

I was VERY VERY fortunate to be taught by the very best - Marjorie Rogers made Fonteyn's costumes; Jane Johnson, Jane Cowood, Sue Pearl, Jean Gates, Christine Manning and Mervyn Wallace were all my tutors or employers and are considered to be "the best in the business". You only have to look in the production notes in a Royal Ballet or Birmingham Royal Ballet programme to find their names.

They taught me from scratch, or gave me my first jobs. I have odd memories of the peculiar experience of travelling all the way from Arsenal to Wimbledon by tube with a couple of "Sugar Plum" tutus in the ever-favoured see-through Royal Opera House plastic bags. Trying not to be noticed in the crowd on the train, yet secretly, so proud!

From my training, I can reproduce most ladies costumes, as seen on the stage of the Royal Opera House or similar: from tutus to headresses and jewellery, to the period costumes of the courtiers. I know where to source most of the fabrics they are made from and the trims they are decorated with. I know the trade techniques and the specialist trade suppliers. This is a specialised craft, not mere dress-making, and it is all the specific "trade secrets" that are part of professional tutu construction that I am offering to you!