Tutu design contest to be part of Jackson's International Ballet Competition. How to compete

Joshua Williams, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·6 min read
Project Tutu Design Competition will be held in Jackson, MS June 19-22 to compete for a $1,000 cash prize and be featured in the renowned Project Tutu Fashion Show.
Project Tutu Design Competition will be held in Jackson, MS June 19-22 to compete for a $1,000 cash prize and be featured in the renowned Project Tutu Fashion Show.

Amateur and professional tutu makers worldwide are asked to bring their expertise and skills to Jackson June 19-22 to compete for a $1,000 cash prize and to be featured in the renowned Project Tutu Fashion Show during the International Ballet Competition in Jackson.

"I've been coming to the IBC competition for quite some time," said Claudia Folts, owner of Tutu.com and the Project Tutu competition organizer. "I was a trainee at the Harkness ballet in New York and the directors wanted to put me into it the first IBC, but I suffered an injury. Shortly after my injury, I would come and help with luncheons and fashion shows. This year, we have some amazing dancers and athletes."

Project Tutu is a Tutu Design Competition modeled after the famed "Project Runway," she said and is sponsored by Tutu.com and the International Ballet Competition (USA-IBC) Jackson, MS. The competition gives amateur and professional Tutu-makers from all over the world a chance to compete for the prizes and be featured in the renowned Project Tutu Fashion Show in Jackson during the International Ballet Competition.

"Each competitor creates a tutu masterpiece in two-and-a-half days with materials provided by a North Carolina ballet costume shop and online retailer, Tutu.com," according to a press release. "First-, second- and third-place prizes are awarded by a distinguished panel of costume industry judges. Only 12 competitors are selected to compete every four years."

The winning tutu will be featured alongside tutus of current ballet costume designers, vintage tutus and Tutu.com designs at the Project Tutu Fashion Show on June 22 that will be attended by world-renowned ballet directors and choreographers, dancers and balletomanes, in the Atrium of the Weston Hotel in Jackson.

Those who cannot travel to compete in the Jackson competition are invited to enter a "New Designer Search" online contest preceding the in person event, organizers said. For the online contest, entrants submit photos of their tutu creations for a panel of industry judges' consideration and online voting. The first-place-winning tutu will be shipped to Jackson and modeled in the Project Tutu Fashion Show. The tutu design with the most online votes, will win the People's Choice Award. Each winner will receive a $250 Tutu.com Gift Certificate.

Tutu.com and the USA-IBC will host a silent auction of professional ballet costumes and services to raise funds for a dance scholarship, the press release states, with proceeds to be presented to one of the ballet competitors on-stage during the awards ceremony.

"USA-IBC competitors can apply for the scholarship by writing a one to two page essay about what ballet means to them and how the scholarship would change/improve their artistic journey," the press release states. "Auction items will be on display in the Thalia Mara Theatre Lobby, and/or the Westin Hotel Atrium. The Tutu.com Scholarship Fund is administered by the USA-IBC."

To compete or be a sponsor, contact event organizer Claudia Folts at Claudia@Tutu.com. To learn more about all four Project Tutu Events, visit https://tutu.com/pages/project-tutu.

Below is a list of times, dates and events for the Project Tutu Fashion Show competition held during the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, provided by the tutu event organizers.

Design Competition

  • When: June 19-22

  • Where: Westin Jackson Hotel Ballroom, 407 S. Congress St., Jackson

  • Time: 11 am to 9 p.m. -Monday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.- Tuesday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.- Wednesday; 1:30 p.m. -Thursday

  • Admission: $200 contest product (Tutu)

Each competitor creates a tutu masterpiece in two and a half days with materials provided by a ballet costume shop and online retailer, Tutu.com. Each designer will be assigned a dancer/model to fit their design, then featured in the Tutu Fashion Show. Compete June 19-22 in Jackson, MS, at USA-IBC! First, Second and Third Place prizes are awarded by a distinguished panel of ballet industry judges. Competition updates will be published on our Facebook Page. View Tutu.com USA-IBC Calendar.

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, June 19 ― Registration. Turn in trims/embellishments for sharing pile. Models will have a fitting for other tutus to be shown in the fashion show.

  • 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 19 ― Meet fellow competitors and your models, review rules, and pick up kits.

  • 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, June 19 ― Competition begins. Models will meet with their designers to have measurements taken.

  • 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 ― Competition continues.

  • Afternoon TBD― Models will have fittings with designers.

  • Wednesday, June 21, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 ― Competition continues. It fits with Dancer/Model.

  • 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 ― Final adjustments to tutus on models. Prepare for the fashion show.

  • 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22 ― Project Tutu Fashion Show, Reception and Awards

Fashion Show

  • When: June 22

  • Where: Atrium of the Westin Jackson Hotel, 407 S. Congress St., Jackson

  • Time: 1:30 p.m. with a reception to follow

  • Admission: TBD

All competing tutus are featured alongside tutus of current ballet costume designers, vintage tutus and Tutu.com designs at the Project Tutu Fashion Show attended by world-renowned ballet directors and choreographers, dancers and balletomanes. This popular event is historically standing-room only. This year we hope to stream live from the Tutu.com Facebook Page.

Scholarship Auction

  • When: May 23 to June 22 (online), June 10-22 at USA-IBC Jackson In-person. Winners will be announced on June 23.

  • Where: At USA-IBC Jackson In-person, 407 S. Congress St., Jackson

  • Time: TBD

  • Admission: TBD

Tutu.com and the USA-IBC host a silent auction of professional ballet costumes and services to raise funds for a dance scholarship proceeds to be presented to one of the ballet competitors on-stage during the awards ceremony. USA-IBC competitors can apply for the scholarship by writing a one to two-page essay about what ballet means to them and how the scholarship would change/improve their artistic journey. Auction items will be displayed in the Thalia Mara Theatre Lobby, and the Westin Hotel Atrium. The USA-IBC administers the Tutu.com Scholarship Fund.

Costume Seminars/TutuSchool

  • When: June 14 to 18

  • Where: Westin Jackson Hotel's Oxford Room, 407 S. Congress St., Jackson

  • Time: TBD

  • Admission: $700- 2 day classes, 400-500 for 3 to 5-day classes

Want to learn how to make a tutu? TutuSchool classes will be offered in the Westin Hotel's Oxford Room during USA-IBC, June 14-18, 2023. Pay by the course. Materials included. Registration deadline May 1. Courses offered include Romantic Tutus, Stretch Tutus & Classical Tutus, Bodice & Men's Tunics, Tiaras/Headpieces and more!

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Tutu and International Ballet Competition puts on another show.