Before my junior year of college, I was cast in the Black Hills Playhouse’s production of A Chorus Line. As singing, dancing, and smiling are among my favorite things (and, like Lisa—glitter, too!), the experience made for a wonderful and memorable summer. One unexpected bonus included working in the costume shop with “one singular sensation:” Travis Halsey.

Also raised in a small, South Dakota town (put your hands up for the prairie!), Travis has gone on to costume several professional ballet companies around the U.S., and is currently with Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. In addition to Joffrey, he also does freelance and custom patterning, cutting, draping, millinery, puppets, corsetry, and “all things tutu.”

In collaboration with Marianne Marks and Lavinia Morozan, he created the wedding tutu for Joffrey’s current production of “Cinderella.” The blushing bride was captured in last week’s New York Times:

Travis Halsey's Tutu Design Takes Center Stage

Every sugarplum fairy gets her start on paper...

...before becoming a dream come true!

An ethereal masterpiece

What is Travis working on right now? Inspired by Easter eggs, specifically those painted in traditional Ukrainian designs, Travis will be layering embroidery, beading, patterns, and a fusion of bright colors to create a folk-style bodice and tutu:

Dozens of ideas...

...for a real-life Ukrainian doll!

To view more of Travis’ work, check out his website as well as his blog.