A little over a week ago, one of our favorite customers, The Louisville Ladybirds, conquered the NDA College Championships with two very big wins: Division 1A Team Performance AND Division 1A Hip Hop. So what inspired this team to totally rule the NDA stage all weekend? Coach Todd Sharp from the Ladybirds gave us the scoop:
Topics: Dance, Team Spotlight, College
When it comes to synchronized skating practice wear it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Black skate dress, black jacket, embroidered logo. Looking for something new to shake things up? How about trying mix and match pieces instead!?
Use three items – a stand-alone leotard, a detachable skirt, leggings - to create 2 very different looks:
Not only was it a big weekend for college dance, but for the synchronized skating world as well! Some of the best teams from all over the world represented their country at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Twenty six teams entered, representing 21 nations at the highest level of synchronized skating. (Fun fact: in 2000, the first World championships was organized of 17 countries in Minneapolis, MN!) We are proud to have outfitted two teams who competed this past weekend: Team USA 2 (Miami University of Ohio) and Team Switzerland (Cool Dreams Senior). Check out their gorgeous dresses below and a few others we love too!
Are you as ready as we are to kick off the next season? We know this time often begins with camp - a whole chunk of time dedicated to team bonding and bringing everyone together! It's the first time you get to show off your team to the world, so style and passion are a must! And camp tops have become an essential for sporting team spirit. So, how can you get the most out of your campwear investment, especially when budgets are always tight? Here are a few tips that prove a little extra planning and time could potentially save yourself some money and stress later! Read on to see how to make the most out of your dance camp apparel:
Topics: Team Apparel & Warm-ups, Dance, Budget Tips
This past weekend, college dance teams from all over the country came together in Daytona, Florida to compete at the NDA Collegiate Dance Championship, and man, it was a show!
We were so proud to have outfitted many of the extraordinary teams who danced their hearts out at Peabody Auditorium and The Bandshell. The costumes were eye-catching and we loved seeing them in action!
Topics: Dance, College, Competition & Event Recaps
We had a hunch there was something special about Watertown, Wisconsin. Especially when last spring Watertown Blue Revue ordered over 140 warm up jackets for youth dancers, parents, coaches and the Varsity Dance Team! We couldn’t help but wonder what is behind that much team spirit? So when Watertown High School won the Wisconsin Division 1 High Kick Championship this year, we knew it had to be a huge accomplishment for the team and their community.
Topics: High School, Dance, Team Spotlight
When I tell people that I own a custom costume company, often the reaction is "Wow! That must be so fun!" And while there is a lot of creativity and sparkle on the surface, what lies beneath is an amazing team of people that really feel like my extended family. I've tried hard over the last 25 years to make this a genuinely great place to work - a place where each person can find a place to be successful and do work that doesn't feel like work! A place that you can continually learn and invest in yourself!
We have over 40 extraordinary individuals at our Minnesota facility, and we are always looking for more talent! One thing that makes The Line Up unique? We're like no other apparel business in that we do everything in house - from customer service to catalog creation to product design and manufacturing. There's an intimacy here that you can't always find in big business.
WANTED: Talented individuals seeking a collaborative work environment, in a growing and improving community!
If this is you, read further. Not only do we have some great new job opportunities , but our staff wants to share our company values - the 6 reasons why they love working at The Line Up:
Topics: Life at The Line Up
When it comes to the hard work and dedication found in the dance and synchronized skating world, we know that you spend the majority of your time training and practicing for only a few brief and exciting moments of performance. So why not spend that time practicing in style? Look great, feel great, and you'll perform great!
With this mantra in mind, we got to work designing some fabulous new team apparel, perfect for sporting your team pride at practice, camps, and team events throughout the season. It's practice wear that's meant to move with you, withstand numerous washings, yet still be flattering and fashionable.
In honor of our new team apparel catalog (just out today!) we're pulling together some of our favorite team apparel trends for the 2016-2017 season. Check 'em out:
Topics: Team Apparel & Warm-ups, Costume Trends
It’s that quiet time of year for high school dance and skate teams right now … competitions have drawn to a close, but next year’s team hasn’t been formed yet. And while it’s the perfect time to take a much needed break from the season’s hectic activities and practice schedules, it’s also the perfect time to start planning for next year! We know, we know, “early bird gets the worm”, blah, blah, blah.
But, planning ahead is the best way to save money and stress on your next custom dance costume or skate dress! And better yet, you don't even need your team roster to get started!
Topics: Costume Design Resources, Planning Tips, Budget Tips
Year after year, we have learned to expect a call from the same person immediately after the Minnesota State High School Dance Competition season ends. This year was no exception! On the Monday following the state competition, Lois Krinke, coach of the Faribault Emeralds Dance Team, reached out to us ready to start thinking about her team's next dance costume! As always, she gets the early bird prize for planning well in advance for the 2016/2017 season.
There was a time - years ago for those of us that can remember - when everyone recognized the Faribault team by their emerald green sequins and full skirts (which always included a very full white crinoline underskirt). Thankfully fashion changes, and this is no longer the case! The team excels in High Kick, where new ideas and unpredictability is essential to their success. Check out some of their costumes from past years, and see how their custom dance costumes have evolved:
Topics: High School, High Kick, Team Spotlight, Jazz, Lyrical, & Contemporary
