Meet 2018 Project Tutu "Runway" Competition Third Place Winner, Laura LaDean Hill of Classical Ballet Costume & Tutu Designs. Laura will be on the Judges Panel for the 2023 Tutu Designer Search Contest.

Learn more about Laura and how participating in Project Tutu 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?


Classical Ballet Costume & Tutu Designs is my businesses name and I started it in 2011 as a fun side project while I worked full time running the wardrobe department for The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia. 

HOW DID YOU GET INTO COSTUMING?


As a dancer, costumes were always of great interest to me and one of the things that inspired me to pursue being a professional. There is seriously is nothing else like putting on a gorgeous, elegant, and regal TUTU! Later, I opened my own ballet school for 19 years and loved meeting with the parents of my students (with sewing skills) to create my costume visions for my dancers and choreography. I moved from Seattle to Philadelphia for my two children to continue their ballet training at The Rock School in 2010 where I started working full time running the office and teaching.  But I quickly found a passion for costuming and decided to immerse myself in developing the sewing skills needed to run the wardrobe department and ultimately took on that job for over a decade.  When COVID hit and the school closed down, I started doing my side custom-order costume business full time and have been contracted by gorgeous talented young dancers and professional ballet companies to design, create, and produce professional ballet costumes.  I never looked back.  I love every minute of it!!! 

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT TUTU.COM ’S PROJECT TUTU?


I had attended TutuSchools classes in the past and after seeing a post about it on social media, my friend and fellow tutu-maker and I decided to give it a try as it looked like it would be a lot of fun and, of course, I love being around people that share my passion for costuming!

Top Photo - Examples of Laura LaDean Hill / Classical Ballet Costume & Tutu Designs.

IG @laura_ladean_hill

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.