Boys Costumes

A while back, Ann Donahue and I worked on some boys vests. They both made their major debut at the North American Irish Dance Championships in Orlando. Ann and I both hope that the vests made the dancers feel their best, and that they danced to their full ability on the day of the competition.

Gannon and his family had an idea for the design of this vest. We all worked very closely to achieve just the look they were going for. His excellent dancing on the day earned him 3rd place in boys U15! Congrats to him and his family and Clann Na Cara.

Peter from the Power Academy had the idea for the flames and basic color of his vest. He and his teacher worked with an artist to give Ann Donahue and I an excellent graphic for his design. I think that when the work was completed Peter has just the costume he was hoping for. He looks great in it, and we wish him much success in his future dancing career!

Both of the patterns for the vests were custom. Making the boys costumes involves as much work as making a bodice for a girls dress. The embroidery is very intense, and as in Peter’s can cover a very large area. Ann worked diligently to make the flame vest embroidery with just the right amount of density so that it would be firm but not inflexible. The boys costumes have really been evolving over the last few years. It’s nice for them to have this avenue to express their personality and enhance their dancing.