19 August 2024
We’ve worked with dancewear company Dansez to create a sustainable inclusive and quality uniform range that demonstrates:
- Attention to design details
- Eco-friendly manufacturing
- Inclusivity
Providing maximum durability, flexibility and comfort and allowing unrestricted movement and optimal performance in the studio and at examinations for all dancers.
Creating the collection
The design process was a collaboration between the creative team at Dansez and our members representing the Theatre, Disco Freestyle and Rock n Roll faculties. They looked at the purpose of a new collection, the function of each item and how it would be worn for class and for examinations.
“It has been such an interesting experience working with the Dansez team. Right from the beginning they really listened and took on board our ideas and different needs in each genre, while trying to make the items inclusive and comfortable for all.” - Elizabeth Reeves, ISTD Modern and Tap Examiner
The team considered the needs of each age group and genre, inspiring the use of colour throughout the collection. The collection is available in three colour ways and is designed with the progression of the dancer in mind: the youngest dancers in our brightest tones, all the way to adults in more sophisticated darker tones. This offers flexibility and choice for dance schools, as well as individual expression.
Clothes that are kind to the environment
The uniforms use ECONYL®, a regenerated fibre, made from nylon waste, that includes fishing nets, carpet flooring and industrial plastic and supports the Healthy Seas Initiative. All garments are made in the UK and each item comes with a full repair guarantee. And we are hoping to establish a preloved initiative, that will enable uniforms to be returned and passed on.
We hope students, teachers and parents will love our new recommended examination uniform for theatre genres (with Classical Indian, Ballroom, Latin and Sequence to follow early in 2025).
“It was so exciting to see the months of collaborative development with ISTD come to life and with the dancers simply beaming with delight when they wore the new designs during the shoot.”
- Samantha Carney, Managing Director of Dansez.
The uniform is not mandatory as we know that affordability is an important consideration for parents and teachers alike, but we hope that the range will offer flexibility to work for your school and students.
Over the coming months we will have a number of opportunities for members to meet the Dansez team and see the uniform in action – find out about our forthcoming regional CPD events which will feature a lunchtime showcase of the uniform, and watch out for more event plans.
