From idea and inspiration ... to a NEW design and garment available for YOU on our webstore. You've heard us talking about our new styles and catalogs coming soon, and we thought we would give you a sneak peek at how some of the lyrical and contemporary designs began!

First step in the design process: concept and inspiration. Two of our newest styles were inspired by fashion accessories and our customers! One of our designers, Trista, is a nail polish fiend, and found inspiration for the new confetti skirt in her matte glitter nail polish from Ciaté.

The new floral rose pattern found on several new styles, was originally designed for one of our loyal customers, Eden Prairie Pom. We loved the floral motif from their 2013 Jazz costume so much we wanted to offer it as a textile design option on our webstore. Coach Anna Bachman graciously let us recolor it and transform it into something fresh. Thanks EP!!

After our design and new product team create the new styles, and textile designs have been perfected, we decide on a color palette. We want the garments to not only look great on their own, but as a set too! This year: mallard, wine, cantaloupe, charcoal and ivory (shown above in the Confetti skirt) is our first set. Gold, silver, ivory, cantaloupe, flower pot orange, and charcoal (shown above in the floral rose design) is the second set. These color sets compliment one another and make up the 2015 color palette. Which one do YOU like!?

Once the garment is patterned, cut, and sewn, we bring the garment to the "fit session." During the fit session, we have our fit models test it out to ensure that the fit is right, it stays in place, hugs all the right places, the colors and fabrics compliment one another, it's comfortable and (most importantly) it's DANCEABLE! (did we just make up a word? Yes, we did.)

The skirt was initially WAY too long. Cheryl to the rescue!

A twirl cannot be resisted in our new 'Confetti' skirt

How are those sleeves? Tight enough to stay in place, loose enough to dance

Next step after the fit is perfected: embellished! Rhinestones, spangles, logos, or appliques are added to take the whole garment to the next level.

Our rhinestone guru, Antonia, ads a bit of sparkle!

And voila! We have new styles!

Want more? Our 2014-2015 Lyrical & Contemporary catalog will be released this Wednesday- new designs, new styles, and new colors galore!