Tulle has been made since the late 1800's when it was developed in Tulle, France, and came to America in the early 1900's.  When you are making a tutu be certain to use the best fabric, and that includes tulle. The hundreds of hours it takes to construct a proper tutu should be supported by the best fabrics.  Craft tulle from most craft stores, is not proper ballet tulle or net and it is not confirmed to have been tested to meet federal standards -- it is crucial in any fabric used by children to be certain it is tested in a laboratory to meet flame retardant standards.

The fabric available at some hobby and craft stores, and imported from either Mexico or China, may be made using 20 denier nylon yarn. Edley Tulle is lighter and softer than the 20 denier craft tulle.

The Edley Fabric Mill in the United States has been producing tulle since 1926, and is one of the last remaining tulle mills in the U.S.

Edley tulle and most other domestic tulle is made using 15 denier nylon yarn. Edley tulle is lighter and softer than craft tulle and meets the standards set by the United States government, for flame retardant fabrics for children's apparel. This is very important.  Edley fabric has been tested by an independent lab to be sure it meets the Federal standards including the all important flame retardant standard.

Edley's prices are competitive and they sell to many major retailers and large manufacturers.  They stock 65 colors and do custom dyes tulle.  While they do not sell to individuals for a single order they do sell wholesale and would be glad to refer you to an outlet from which to locate proper and safe tulle or net for your frills.

Edley also manufactures 15 denier nylon chiffon and 40 denier nylon tricot.  Both of these fabrics are  also used for the dance market.  They have stock colors on both styles and custom dye, other colors.

The dance market, remains a large user of Tulle.  Originally used for ballet, tulle fabric is now used for many different markets, including bridal, veils, millinery, stationery, craft, costumes, and evening wear.

• See:  www.PettiskirtFabric.com.
• See:  www.1000tutus.com for great tulle ideas.

Edley will be exhibiting their fabrics at the Los Angeles International Textile Show, September 27-29, 2010. Booth information will be available on their web site, in August.

Visit www.CaliforniaMarketCenter.com, to register to attend.
Contact: Andrew Weinstock, Edley Associates, Inc. on the web at www.edley.com and www.tulle.net.
Phone:1-800-TRICOTS(874-2687)

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Please contact me should you have any questions.

Lee Ann Torrans
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Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan will open the Venice Film Festival on September 1.

The release of the first images from the film  includes the 40 costumes that Laura and Kate Mulleavy designed for the movie's entire ballet corps. Their work will be featured in the film's scenes from "Swan Lake," and this marks Rodarte's first foray into costuming for film.

The Mulleavys were honored for winning the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards fashion design category by host Michelle Obama, did not attend the ceremony.  Their spokesman sent an email saying that the designers “had a change of plans," later adding that they “had a family obligation to attend to in Los Angeles."

The dark tale with psychological twists stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a technically brilliant ballerina whose life takes some strange turns after being picked as the lead in a New York City production of Swan Lake. Pressures mount as her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey) pushes her to succeed and her manipulative dance master (Vincent Cassel) commands her to be more seductive and loose in her performance.

Complicating matters is the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis), a sultry dancer who exhibits all the innate ease and sexuality that Nina lacks. Nina begins to fixate on the newcomer as the two forge an unusual relationship.

"The worldwide attention given to the Venice film festival provides an exciting launch for Black Swan," says Nancy Utley, president of Fox Searchlight. "We are very proud of our collaboration with Darren."

After its premiere in Venice, The Wrestler went on to awards season glory, earning actor Mickey Rourke his first Oscar nomination and a chance at a career comeback. Fox Searchlight, which bought The Wrestler at the Toronto film festival after its Venice success, has similar hopes for Black Swan— and especially for Portman, who was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting part in 2004's Closer.

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Please contact me should you have any questions.

Lee Ann Torrans
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Ballerinas on the Runway!  His mother was a dancer.

This is a natural --- makes so much sense to use dancers.

Malan Breton's Spring 2010 collection was inspired by his childhood when he began dancing at the age of seven.

"Flight of Freedom" a black-and-white image of his friend, Leigh Alderson, from the Royal Ballet, is his inspiration.

A 45-piece orchestra played, the Chelsea Symphony"

"I wanted the show to feel like a night at the Met, a night at the ballet." www.chelseasymphony.org

Presented by Rado Switzerland, www.rado.com the show took place at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan and marked Breton's first foray into menswear, further expanding the Malan Breton Collection with a touch of Saville Row. He has already dressed celebrities including Minnie Driver, Kylie Minogue, Nikki Blonsky, and Katrina Bowden.

Malan Breton  www.malanbreton.com

Thank you for visiting my website.

Please contact me should you have any questions.

Lee Ann Torrans
ltorrans@gmail.com

Paula Drake of Tutus Divine is one of the premiere tutu designers in the world.  A collaboration with Paula represents not only the security that you will have an authentic tutu designed to last for 50 years (or more) but the both the fabric and the embellishment details will be of the highest quality.

This site is filled with "Tips from Paula" if you decide to make your own.  I encourage you to examine the work Paula has done through the years in interpreting the greatest ballet through costume design at Tutus Divine.

When people ask me to recommend a designer I can without hesitation recommend Paula Drake.  As you read the website and come across here "Tips" you will realize these tips also represent the quality tutu you will receive.

Thank you for visiting my website.

Please contact me should you have any questions.

Lee Ann Torrans
ltorrans@gmail.com