Behind the Seams of The Nutcracker
The making of the tutus
With founder and director of Tutu Couture and Stagewear, Anne Tytherleigh,
Founder and director of Tutu Couture and Stagewear, Anne Tytherleigh, was specially commissioned by Queensland Ballet to bring her specialist skills and pioneering technique to the creation of the tutus for Queensland Ballet’s new production, The Nutcracker.
Bringing set and costume designer, Lez Brotherston’s creative vision to life, Anne spends more than 100 hours handcrafting each tutu, with every detail meticulously considered.
“ The process of making the tutus begin in my kitchen sink! Here, I hand-dye the tulle to achieve the precise graduating shades of pink, apricot, orange and purple required for the production.”
“ After the tulle is coloured and dry, I use a Perspex cylinder to hand-roll each layer of tulle into a tight cylindrical shape, a technique I have pioneered to give the tutus their distinctive stiffness and beautifully upright silhouette.”
The accompanying photographs capture the unique construction of the rolled tulle layers, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary craftsmanship behind these intricate costumes.
A huge heartfelt thanks to Anne for sharing her extraordinary skills, dedication and artistry with Queensland Ballet. We look forward to seeing them sparkle under the lights at QPAC from 9 – 19 December, 2026.
Photography by Jakob Perrett
