LeNique dresses are hand made, one-of-a-kind creations. So, when it comes to your dancing shoes, dyeing them the right color is just as unique as our dresses.
Most dance shoes are made out of a satin, so you want to make sure you have a swatch of white satin and a swatch of the color you are trying to match when dyeing your shoes.
“Don’t go for burgundy shoes when you’re wearing a burgundy dress, you’re better off with a nude shoe. But the latest style, and it’s been going on for three to four years, are softer pastel colors or brighter, hot pink, sassy yellow, lemon shoes, are matching the dresses”
Dyeing your dance shoes doesn’t have to be difficult. Just watch Lena Kosovich’s tutorial on how to dye your dance shoes below.
What you will need:
- Dance shoes
- Fabric dye
- Bowl
- Paper towels
- Piece of sponge
- Water
- Rubber gloves
- Swatch of white satin
- Swatch of color you are trying to match
Note: Wear rubber gloves to avoid staining your hands with the dye.
Step 1: Mix your dye with a little bit of water in a non-kitchen bowl.
Step 2: Stuff your shoe tightly with paper towels. This prevents the dye from going into the shoes.
Step 3: Time to test your dye on your satin swatch. Lightly wet your sponge in the fabric dye and press to the satin swatch. Compare it to your color swatch to check if it is a match.
“Remember the color will always dry lighter, so always go one shade darker with your mix. If you are really worried about the color shade, do one round of the color you think is good, dry it with a hairdryer and then try one more time slightly deeper”
Step 4: Now you’re ready to start dying your shoe. Take your shoe by the sole in one hand. With your free hand wet your sponge in the fabric dye mix and apply to your shoe. Run the sponge quickly over the shoe to create an even shade and avoid dark spots. Make sure to get close to the seams.
Step 5: Once the shoe is dyed, go over it once more time with a light amount of dye on the sponge. This will help to give the shoe an even tone. Let your shoes air dry and you’ll be ready to dance and look fabulous come competition time.
We hope you enjoyed this week’s tutorial on how to dye your dance shoes with Lena Kosovich. Tune in for next week’s tutorial.
Lena Kosovich is a United States and World American Ballroom Champion. She was born in Russia and has trained in ballet, folk and every style of ballroom dancing. She is featured on the Benise: The Spanish Guitar (2010) DVD and has appeared on television including Dancing With the Stars.
She worked as an Assistant Designer on Dancing With the Stars and as a Designer for So You Think Can Dance and Dance Your Ass Off (2009). She is LeNique Co-Founder with husband Nick Kosovich.
