We’ve seen dazzling, metallic lycra on the competition dance floor for some years now but worn exclusively by female, Juvenile competitors. We’ve seen many dresses in sugar pink and Cadbury purple which is perhaps why adult dancers have always considered metallics just for girls and haven’t really considered wearing them themselves, until now.
In considering metallic lycra for Obsession Dancewear, I reached out to my fabric suppliers in Hong Kong and Milan and I was staggered by the sheer number and variety of samples that I received in response. I have literally hundreds of metallic lycra colour samples in by boutique and a dozen ideas filling my head for what to design with each and every one of them.
Having received the samples, I am now quite obsessed. The richness and depth of the colours is something that standard lycra and chiffon simply cannot compete with. And, of course, the obvious point make is metallic lycra’s dazzling ability to reflect light. When we add rhinestones to standard lycra, we say that we are adding sparkle. What we are actually doing is adding little pieces of cut glass that reflect light, creating “sparkle”. Metallic lycra reflects light naturally so when we add rhinestones to it we create a garment with unprecedented sparkle.
Have a look at the short videos that accompany each of my dresses on the website, paying particular attention to the metallic fabric dresses. The sparkle really is remarkable. What I love about the dual effect of metallic lycra and rhinestones is that I can use traditionally rather demure, earthly colours which are rich and sophisticated but one would not naturally say are “eye catching” and make them absolutely dazzling. The bronze and burgundy dress above is a prime example. Do take a moment to find it amongst my collection (type L706 in the search bar) and look at the video. You will see immediately why I am so in love.
Earlier this year, I launched a Metallic Collection of competition Ballroom and Latin dresses, designed specifically with sophistication in mind. I have created Ballroom dresses in earthy Espresso and Caramel and rich Merlot red and also used vibrant blues and purples too. Metallic lycra is also beautiful in pale soft shades, which have a shell-like, mother-of-pearl quality. My collection includes a white/silver, lilacand the softest shell pink. Do check them out by typing metallic into the search bar and get in touch to let me know what you think, I would love to hear from you.
So, what are the benefits of choosing metallic lycra for your Ballroom or Latin dress? And, are there any things to be aware of that might put you off?
Positives:
- Rare. Metallic lycra, worn by adult competitors, is still a rarity. This makes it like gold dust on the competition floor. As competitors work hard to get noticed in busy heats, metallic lycra is sure to stand out – and, as I mentioned above, you don’t need to wear loud metallic colours to be unmissable.
- Versatile. Due to its extraordinary colour depth, metallic lycra is easy to match with normal lycra or chiffonso you can break up the metallic effect if you feel it is too foil like. I have done this with a mint ballroom dress in my metallics collection, pictured at the top of this article. The dress has a metallic mint bodice and a chiffon skirt. The effect is very eye-catching and very classy.
- Different. Dance dress designers are constantly on the look out for something different to offer customers and metallic lycra ticks that box. If you are someone that has a number of dresses that you rotate for competitions, a metallic dress would be a perfect addition to your collection.
Things to consider:
- Less stretch. Metallic lycra has less stretch than normal lycra. This is not an issue as such, it just needs factoring in when sizing a garment. I typically design metallic dresses with normal lycra leotard bases to counter some of the difference. I have found that due to the limited stretch, off-the-peg metallic lycra dresses do not offer the same size range as normal lycra.
- Less robust. Metallic lycra is a little less robust the normal lycra. It is made by adding a foil-like layer to thin lycra. If treated roughly, it is possible to damage the foil outer layer. I have not found this an issue but it is worth knowing if you are considering buying a metallic lycra dress.
If you are interested in metallic lycra and you are looking for a ready-to-wear dress, use the size search function in Ballroom and Latin wear to explore my metallics collection. I’m sure you will find something that you love and that will give you the confidence to dance to the best of your ability and beyond at your next comp.
If you would like to discuss creating an Obsession ‘Bespoke’ dress in metallic lycra, do get in touch through our ‘Contact’ page and we will be delighted to help.
