Dance ORIGINALS by Lee Andersen
Lee trained as an artist in everything from drawing, painting, spinning, sewing and knitting to dozens of other creative manipulation techniques. She has had an art clothing company for 30 years designing and producing garments that make women feel confident, stylish, comfortable, and proud. Lee earned her Bachelors of Education from Massey University in New Zealand. She received a Master of Fine Arts from MICA, the Maryland Institute College of Art, this year.
PRACTICE DRESSES
Lee produces two types of dance garments, Practice, and Competition. The practice dresses are $100 to $200, machine wash and dry, and super comfy. They are not one of a kind like her custom gowns. They are hand cut and can be made from XS to 3X. When the limited fabric runs out, she offers something new. There are 10 or so of each practice gown. The fabric is generally a stretch poly with a soft feel.
CUSTOM GOWNS
Lee uses up to 30 fabrics, trims and appliques in one of her custom garments. Each garment is created on a dress form as the inspiration hits her. She often has five gowns in development at once. She ‘plays’ with combinations of colors and textures for weeks until each garment feels beautiful, has 360 degrees of movement, and is flattering on the female form.
Our Embroidery
Many of our special embroideries have been designed by Lee and her team. Some embroideries have up to 20 colors, 3D effects, metallic threads, delicate beading, and elaborate ‘cut-outs’. The computer files to reproduce these are gone! The company that produced them for Lee went out of business during Covid. Lee has only a few yards of some of them.
Dance Originals by Lee Andersen are creative one of a kind art gowns designed for showing off the fluid dance moves of Competitive Ballroom Dancing.
She creates each original gown using up to 30 different fabrics, trims, and specialty embroidery in her 10,000 square foot studio in Columbia, Maryland.
These specialty pieces are all one of a kind, handcrafted, and perfect for that important "Once in a life-time event."
Our Fabrics
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Our Sizing
Sizing is completely adjustable. Lee works with XS to 3X or larger. If your body is smaller on top and larger on the bottom or the other way around, Lee adjusts the gown to your exact body measurements.
MEET THE BUSINESS PARTNER
Cathy Pritchard is Lee’s business partner for this venture. Cathy has been working with Lee for several years and always had competitive ballroom dancing gowns in mind but Lee was too busy with her other projects. The opportunity came up this year and Cathy and Lee began plotting. Cathy has a background in ballroom dancing, sewing, and business. Cathy books the shows, hotels, and organizes the staffing.
MEET THE DESIGNER
Lee Andersen, a New Zealand native, was best known for her hand knitted coats which sold to the Queen of Spain, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and many international celebrities. In 1985 she wrote a book "You Knit, Unique", sharing her knowledge. The book was published by the New Zealand Wool Board. She now has a 10,000 square foot design studio in Columbia, Maryland with 3,000 rolls of fabric, 3,000 trims, and 3,000 buttons.
MEET CUSTOMER SERVICE
Jenesse Wannall is the patient and knowledgeable customer service person for this venture. Jenesse has also worked with Lee for several years providing customer service for the Lee Andersen Art Clothing label. Jenesse draws and sews and is Lee’s mini me assisting in the design process and shopping for sparkles and yummy fabric. Her hours are 9-5 Monday - Friday.
Cathy Pritchard is Lee’s business partner for this venture. Cathy has been working with Lee for several years and always had competitive ballroom dancing gowns in mind but Lee was too busy with her other projects. The opportunity came up this year and Cathy and Lee began plotting. Cathy has a background in ballroom dancing, sewing, and business. Cathy books the shows, hotels, and organizes the staffing. One of the sales staff is Susan Langevin, the model on the far right in the picture above.
Purchasing a Custom Gown
If you wish to purchase a gown from the website, call out customer service person,
Jenesse, and tell her which gown her have in mind. Let her know your measurements and any special requests including sleeves and additional petticoats. Leave all your contact info with Jenesse. Lee will return your call and arrange a time for you to try on the gown in Columbia, Maryland. The scary part is she literally slits the gown up both sides and measures the additional fabric needed. If you are smaller than the custom gown and some fabric needs to be taken out, she still slits the gown to adjust to your exact body shape!
The custom gowns are offered on the website for inspiration or to purchase as is. They are all offered as American Smooth, but they can have extra layers of petticoats, extra sparkles and feathers to make them International.
Each gown can have a delicate ‘float’ added at the back for an additional fee. The float is generally attached to one shoulder and the opposite wrist. They can have sleeves added, in power mesh with decorations. Pricing is negotiable depending on the number of social media followers the dancer has, and the number of awards the dancer has won.
Obviously, Lee does not slit the gown until a half deposit is paid. The final payment is made at the time the gown is picked up or shipped to you.
Practice Dresses can be returned for a full refund so long as their tag is still attached. Return costs are paid by the customer. Custom Gowns are not returnable. Any reasonable issues with the construction of the gown will be resolved at our expense and shipping paid both ways.
Shipping
Shipping is paid for by the customer. Practice gowns are paid for up front by credit cards and shipping is added depending on where you live and how quickly you want the gown. We have a minimal packing fee. Practice gowns ship at a minimal cost as they go in a bag not a box. They are machine wash and dry and don’t wrinkle. Custom gowns are more complex to ship as they are boxed with layers of tissue to protect the embroideries and sparkles and appliques.
Half Deposit and Return Policy
Sleeves, Petticoats, and Robes
Sleeves are optional for an additional fee. They can be short, floaty, full length, or whatever you want!
Additional petticoats can be made in a range of colors and textures from satin, sheer or Fortuni Pleated. They can be permanently attached to the dress or made so they can be layered depending on the event.
A robe can be made that fits over the shape of your dress. It can be hoodless or with a hood. It can also have some hint of the gorgeous dress underneath with a few touches of the fabrics to be revealed! Prices negotiable. Allow $200 for a basic robe.
Care and Feeding
The practice dresses are machine wash and dry. The gowns are more delicate. Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add some shampoo. Hold the gown by the shoulders and dip gently multiple times. Rinse with warm water and hang to dry. Do NOT Dry clean.
Visit the Design Studio and Factory Store
Lee has 3000 rolls of fabric in her 10,000 square foot design studio in Columbia, Maryland. She has roughly 3000 trims, flowers, and appliques. Her insatiable curiosity leads her to buy more fun ‘stuff’. Her studio is a wonderland of treasures. The Factory Store is in the same building as everything in the factory store was made by her team in her Design Studio. You can buy items for $10 to $350. Her art clothing label had been around for 30 years. Visits to Lee’s Design Studio are welcome by appointment. The Factory Store is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5pm.