My name is Mel VanTassel, and I make ballet tutus, accessories, and embellishments from my home in Denver, CO.
In 2017 I was going to ballet class and keeping busy with a huge variety of handcrafts. Somewhere along the line I got interested in the construction of classical ballet tutus. Never being someone who does things by halves, I agreed to costume the soloist roles for a production of Sleeping Beauty for my local ballet studio. I made eleven tutus and a Bluebird in the space of three months, and still wanted to make more when I was done. I’m currently a wardrobe assistant at Colorado Ballet.
Because I’m an amateur dancer, I’ve worn a number of my own costumes. I’ve gotten a fast education in what’s comfortable and what to avoid. I solemnly swear to never, ever wrap scratchy trim around to the inside of a costume. I’m also familiar with sewing for people who aren’t shaped like professional ballerinas. If you have non-standard needs for your costume, please talk to me! Dance is for everyone, and that means costumes need to be for everyone too.
The best feeling in the world is watching dancers put on my costumes for the first time and immediately start dancing better. It’s a thrill I’m never going to stop chasing.
