Meet our 2018 New Tutu Designer Search Contest Winner, Terry Worley a.k.a. Tutu Terry. Terry's creative "Starry Night" custom design pictured above won first prize. Terry is honored to be judging the 2023 Designer Search Contest. 

Learn more about Terry and how participating in Project Tutu Events in 2018 impacted her costuming journey positively in so many ways in the following 2023 interview.

WHAT’S THE NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS + WHEN DID YOU START IT?

My business is called Tutu Terry. I have been creating professionally crafted, elegant tutus for ballet professionals and pre-professional students since 2015.  My designs and creations have been seen at YAGP, Cecchetti International Ballet Competition, California Dance Classics, and other competitions around the USA. I also design custom looks for an online retailer.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO COSTUMING?

My Grandmother was a couturier/sample maker in the Fashion District in NYC for many years. I learned from her not only to make clean, well-made clothing but also to have an eye for style, fit and comfort. Throughout my life, I had been making clothing and home décor and volunteering at my daughter’s ballet academy as the costume mistress, maintaining their costumes and refurbishing their old tutus. In 2014, my husband and daughter gifted me the idea to quit work and pursue my passion for sewing into something lucrative.  Starting this second career after age 50, I brought together my strengths and passions; technique, creativity, art, and love of ballet.

TELL US WHAT YOUR TIME IN JACKSON, MS WAS LIKE DURING PROJECT TUTU?

Exciting! I thought about the new designer contest and decided it would be a great opportunity to make a dream tutu, one without restrictions or limitations, where I could be as creative as I wanted, trying new techniques, and experimenting with layering. Starry Night– my winning design, was born! It was such a great honor to be the winner of the TUTU.COM New Designer Search and have my tutu design featured at the 2018 USA-IBC Tutu fashion Show!

Today, Starry Night is a popular rental. It has been used for such roles as Medora, Raymonda, and Gamzatti and has inspired other designed tutus for my clients.

I was also very happy to donate the Sparkling Rose Tutu to the Silent Auction, to help raise funds for a scholarship.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH YOUR BUSINESS SINCE BECOMING OUR NEW DESIGNER WINNER IN 2018?

My business has grown since 2018 and now I am in a new studio space, continuing with ballet and dancewear custom designs. I am now taking courses and planning to expand into the bridal and evening wear market in the next couple of years.

Thanks to my husband, my daughter, and Claudia Folts from tutu.com, my tutu school mentor of several years, I am grateful for this second career that I absolutely LOVE!

FB: TUTU Terry

Website: tututerry.com

To learn more, visit the Project Tutu Main Webpage detailing all five events that make up Project Tutu or read more Project Tutu Blog Articles.