The Amazing Aran Bell!

This is the third year I've had the joy of designing for up and coming ballet star Aran Bell. Aran has received numerous awards and honors from the Youth American Grand Prix ballet competition. The first custom costume i made for him was a Don Q. jacket, and last year a Paquita Tunic. This season he will be dancing Solor from the classic ballet La Bayadere.

Pictured above is the Back Neck section of this years costume. As usual I've sandwiched several fabrics together to achieve color and texture of the design. For structure and breath ability the first layer (flat lining) is a taupe cotton twill. Atop that is a green dupioni silk edged with a bias strip of a yellowy gold dupioni. To blend these pieces together i used the airbrush with a iridescent holly green and a piece of lace as a stencil. The top layer of fabric is a "bollywood" embroidered net. To add interest to the top layer i will attach some hand worked china silk ribbon flowers, and paint into some of the gold cording to tone it down in places. Today I'm working on the upper section of the sleeves, which will be made from a darker green dupioni and they will be "continental" or North American smocked, this will give them a woven and very expensive look. ........ more pics to come.....

Ok the sleeves are underway....