Posted by Babs on September 03, 2005 at 20:50 [220.237.93.165]
In Reply to: knitted tights (white in particular) posted by Ann on September 01, 2005 at 21:54
There are plenty of dance shops in the UK, that are very likely to stock these type of tights. Here is a list of UK dance shops that I found from a google search. Hope that helps Babs
For those that cannot get to London or who are based abroad there is a special mention for Bristol based shop that has an excellent web site that charges you to send only what it costs them.
Julienne & Porselli
9 West Street
Cambridge Circus
London WC2 9NE
Opening hours:
Telephone:
Fax:
Postage: Mon-Sat 10-6
0207 836 2862
0207 836 6171
Leotard £2
Shoes £3
A bright and well laid out shop with a comprehensive range of clothes, shoes and accessories. The window and display of goods are always impressive. The range of clothes is extensive and includes, Arabesque, Danskin, Danzes, Wearmoi, Bloch, Capezio, Mirella, Harmonie, Intermezzo and the beautiful Watercolour skirts. The leotards are displayed in colour groups and the assistants will always find your size and another colour quite willingly.
This shop has a particularly good range of items for children especially tutus and very pretty leotards with skirts. It sells everything from tiaras to the pancake for pointe shoes and is always full of dancers. The shop is not a mail order outlet, but will send items in the post anywhere in the world. No refunds are given but a credit note will be issued for items sent out which were found to be unsuitable.
They are in the process of getting a web-site. If you have time to visit only one shop choose this one.
Freed
94 St Martin's Lane
London
WC2N 4AT
www.freedoflondon.com Opening hours:
Telephone:
Fax:
Postage: Mon-Fri 9-5.30
Sat 9-3:30
0207 240 0432
0207 240 3061
Leotard £2
Shoes £2
A traditional shop where very little is displayed but stocks its own shoes, clothes and some garments by Wear-moi and Mirella.
The assistants are particularly good at fitting pointe shoes and advising the best size and maker and most likely waiting time. In addition, they can make a custom pointe shoe (special order) if required. For some details of the variations of shoe refer to our piece about the Freeds factory.
For obvious reasons this appears to be the only shop which stocks Freeds clothes (which includes all the regulation and exam leotards). It supplies the ballet companies and will send items anywhere in the world. Refunds and/or credit notes are given for items sent out which were found to be unsuitable.
They have a new website www.freedoflondon.com
Sansha
65 Endell Street
Covent Garden
London
WC 9AJ
www.Sansha.com Opening hours:
Telephone:
Fax:
Postage: Mon-Fri 11-6
Thurs 11-8
Sat 10-5.30
Sun 10-4
0207 240 0432
0207 813 3111
Leotard £3.50
Shoes £3.50
A small shop hidden away in Covent Garden whose stock includes non UK makes of Sade, Mirella, Danskin and UK makes such as Wear-moi. All items are sent recorded delivery.
It is a world wide operation with its own web site at www.Sansha.com
Dancia
187 Drury Lane
London
WC2B 5QD
www.dancia.co.uk Opening hours:
Telephone:
Postage: Mon-Fri 10-6
Sat 10-5.30
0207 831 9483
Under £20-£1.95
Over £20-£3.95
Stocks most UK makes and Bloch and Capezio. It is a small shop but like Aladdins cave inside. Every surface is covered with merchandise. No refunds are given but a credit note will be issued for items sent out which were found to be unsuitable.
They now have a web site at www.dancia.co.uk
Gamba
3 Garrick Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 9AR
Opening hours:
Telephone:
Postage: Mon-Sat 10:30-6:30
Thurs till 7
Sat till 6
0207 430 0704
0207 497 0754
Leotard £1.50
Shoes £2.50
Stocks Gamba (there's a surprise! Ed). No refunds are given but a credit note will be issued for items sent out which were found to be unsuitable.
Bloch
35 Drury Lane
Covent Garden
London
WC2B 5RH
www.blochworld.com Opening hours:
Telephone:
Fax: Mon-Sat 10-6
0207-836 4777
0207 836 6555
The Australian shop moved to the UK late in 1999. The shop has 2 floors,downstairs is for shoes and is designed as a ballet studio complete with barre. The staff are particularly helpful and the customer service stands out for its excellence. The clothing is as much street wear as dance.
They have a web-site at www.blochworld.com
And finally for those who are based abroad or who can't get to London...
Danceworld
52 Bedminster Parade
Bristol
BS3 4HS
www.danceworld.ltd.uk Opening hours:
Telephone:
Fax: Mon, Thurs, Fri 9-7.30
Tues, Wed, Sat 9-5.30
0117953 7941
0117953 2725
The shop is beautiful: but it is the mail order site at www.danceworld.ltd.uk which has 'absolutely everything for the dancer' from a childs ballet socks to a custom made Russian tutu - which is most impressive. Everything is easy to find, there are clear instructions to order and a full refund is given for returns.
It is the main supplier of Grishko pointe shoes but also does Sansha and Porselli. Stocks Wear-moi,Capezio and Danskin, regulation clothes as well as more basic but good value childrens makes.
The tutu section is magnificent and if you have ever dreamed of having one but don't have the ballerina body,don't worry they have made them in every shape and size. (even for a man!).
It is a godsend for any mother who cannot sew and/or who has just forgotten about or could not get from their local shop the desperately needed RAD/ISTD gear for the weekend ballet class.
The minimum postage is £1 and any additional cost that they have to pay and everything goes same day first class.
If you cannot find what you are looking for or need a custom made size it is always worth checking with Carol, the owner.
Definitely the place to give your credit card a workout.
Email: nospam@thanks.com