Tutus are not all born the same…

Tulle Row is an atelier that specialises in the design and construction of the Russian hand-pleated tutu, focusing on performance, practice, and static tutus for ballets, exhibitions, installations, and interpretative displays. Tulle Row atelier designs and produces projects across different scopes and scales, emphasising detail, finishes, and fit. Working with various clients from ballet companies, arts institutions, and galleries, to small organisations, and private individuals. Clients have included the Russian Choreographic Academy, Singapore School of the Arts, Peony Perfumier, and professional dancers.

Widely recognised as a tutu specialist, it was a fascination with the tutu that led to a love affair with Russian tutu construction for costumier Bron. Earlier university studies in art and history inspired a curiosity in the chronicle of tutus. They were first worn in 1832 by Marie Taglioni at the Paris Opera. This distinctive netting skirt with a tight bodice became an instant icon. Bron says, ‘the tutu is a delicate trilogy between structure, fit and proportion.

The tutu is a complex garment, technical and time-consuming to produce. The skills for tutu-making are passed from one costumier to another, a shared history that dates back almost two hundred years. Traditionally dancers stitched their tutus. Part of the allure for the Russian hand-pleated tutu technique is that today's dancers continue to dedicate some time to the costume department, learning how to tack the many layers of a tutu. This history informs part of Bron's attachment to the traditional techniques for tutu construction.