Jane Kenning Costumier of Dance

23/09/2024

Interesting bit of piping at centre front…..might like to try that. Anyone???

17/09/2024

If you look closely you may see my pink tutu. Be quick and don’t blink.

11/09/2024

Take a look at the work my friend is making. We went to sewing college together many years ago….errr *whispers* 30..

10/09/2024

This beautiful ballerina got to the semi-finals of the Fonteyn Awards! What an achievement for a young lady.
The Fairy of Generosity, from Sleeping Beauty, was the dance.
We took inspiration from Messel’s costume design from the 1940s.
Luxurious silk dupion for the bodice and dyed nets and tulle for the skirt.
Artificial flowers were purchased, taken apart, dyed, and sewn back together again with pearl centres. Gold and green leaves were cut to size and placed on golden swirls.
I never got to meet my clients, the measuring and fittings were done over zoom…I do hope our paths cross one day.

Best wishes for the future xx
.j.carter

10/09/2024

This beautiful ballerina got to the semi-finals of the Fonteyn Awards! What an achievement for a young lady.
The Fairy of Generosity, from Sleeping Beauty, was the dance.
We took inspiration from Messel’s costume design from the 1940s.
Luxurious silk dupion for the bodice and dyed nets and tulle for the skirt.
Artificial flowers were purchased, taken apart, dyed, and sewn back together again with pearl centres. Gold and green leaves were cut to size and placed on golden swirls.
I never got to meet my clients, the measuring and fittings were done over zoom…I do hope our paths cross one day.

Best wishes for the future xx

25/08/2024

Thrilled to receive these photographs.
Good luck to this beautiful ballerina in her forthcoming competitions and awards.
Thank you for asking me to make your tutu

23/08/2024

My talented and beautiful client asked me to make “Fairy of Generosity”, Sleeping Beauty. Of course I said yes.
Her dance is to be performed as she competes for The Fonteyn Awards. The finals are to held at His Majesty’s Theatre.
I love how this last year has come full circle. I was asked to make 2 tutus for Phantom (resident at His Majesty’s), one went to the production in China and one for the West End. Both a small contribution to the Masquerade scene.
So my wish to have more opportunities in the West End have arrived….but not the way I thought.
Good luck to my client and thank you for asking me to make your tutu xx

27/01/2024

Here’s some scale to my Little Dancer..

26/01/2024

Love a wardrobe department.

26/01/2024

Just need to find a suitable clasp for this tatted choker/necklace. Might start a little shop .

21/01/2024

I’ve made a 3/4 scale tutu. 1/2 scale turns out really small!!
Inspiration from Degas, as always.
Starting with reducing Tutus that Dance mannequin pattern, searching for tiny buttons, cable ties for bones, and using maths to decipher the amount of tulle in each layer.
I may need more pictures to appreciate size, perhaps with a cat for scale.

21/01/2024

I’ve made a 3/4 scale tutu. 1/2 scale turns out really small!!
Inspiration from Degas, as always.
Starting with reducing Tutus that Dance mannequin pattern, searching for tiny buttons, cable ties for bones, and using maths to decipher the amount of tulle in each layer.
I may need more pictures to appreciate size, perhaps with a cat for scale.

08/01/2024

Look at this beautiful work my friend has created. We met at “costume school” back in the 90s. So pleased to see her sewing!!!

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas everyone xx

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas everyone ###

25/11/2023

New things to learn…always.
I had a great day and look forward to using my skills on your next tutus!!

I love teaching tambour. Mostly I teach one to one. Yesterday I had another lovely student. I really enjoy passing on the technique to enable others and to keep the craft alive.

19/11/2023

Wondering if the skirts are silk, they move beautifully, so delicate.

12/11/2023

I was at a Native American Pow Wow yesterday. My hubby and son are part of the drum team.
I met a lovely Native lady, we spoke of embroidery and bead work on regalia.
I’m excited to add another string to my bow, and see if I can incorporate techniques into tutus and beyond….

04/11/2023

A little something I’ve been working on. Always exciting to see the tutu and bodice evolve…..

30/10/2023

Love this little tutu. Brain now working out the layers…….

Before we bid National Archives Month farewell, we invite audiences to share in the late Principal Dancer Patricia Wilde's fond recollection (and note on theater etiquette) of a memorable curtain call after performing Balanchine's Western Symphony in Zurich, in this very tutu:

"They brought the fire curtain down, and they were still out there standing and carrying on. Finally, all of us principals and Balanchine (in half of our costumes, with headdresses gone) crept out through this little steel door and got in front of the curtain to bow again, while they were still clapping, standing, stamping, saying 'Bravo! Bravo!'

"Those are the kinds of experiences we like to remember. So, stay and applaud after! It’s tough, when you’ve worked so hard for a performance, to have it be over so quickly. So stay! Stamp and scream and say, 'We love it!'"

Costume by Karinska, courtesy of The New York City Ballet Costume Archive.

24/10/2023

Collected today.
Emerald green silk dupion, metallic gold trimmings and a few crystals!
Good luck to my talented client on her forthcoming festivals. X

21/10/2023

Musical Con at Excel with Ted xx

17/10/2023

In this piece, Degas tackles his favorite subject with bold colors and close-up figures. This was a bit of a different take on his behind-the-scenes looks at ballet since he often focused on subjects in motion rather than those waiting to take the stage.

Edgar Degas, Dancers in Pink
View it: https://buff.ly/3gqM43z

12/10/2023

Beautiful silk used for this pretty tutu. Gold motifs, flowers and ivory pearls too.
Inspiration from the Bolshoi Ballet.
Good luck to the talented ballerina in her competitions in Paris and Barcelona.

12/10/2023

12/10/2023

The most beautiful silk tutu ready for collection.
Inspiration taken from the Bolshoi Ballet.
Good luck to the talented ballerina competing in Europe over the next few weeks.

30/09/2023

14/09/2023

Watching the show this time. A chance to see my tutu in the Masquerade scene. Only a small contribution but thrilled to now say my work is on the West End stage. More tutus to follow….
#

13/09/2023

Here again!!! This time to see the show and my token tutu in the Masquerade scene.
More tutus to follow xx