The Ringling
New Perspectives on Women & the Historic Circus
April 29, 2021

This presentation, part of The Ringling's New Perspectives on Women & the Historic Circus series, explores the costumes of female aerialists from the late 1800s to the present day. From aesthetics to functional considerations for movement, these garments require special attention to detail and are designed to complement the performance. From corsets and crinolines to leotards and Lycra, aerial costumes have evolved considerably while maintaining the glamour and prestige of the performance. Circus costume designer and researcher Jenny Leigh Du Puis provides a tour through the wardrobe of female aerialists past and present. 
​Glitz, Glamour, and Grit: Exploring the History of Female Aerial Circus Costume
The Ringling. (2021, May 25). Glitz, glamour, and grit: Exploring the history of female aerial circus costume [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFwhlXKpIWI
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Costume Society of America
Conversations on Dress, Spotlight on Grads | March 10, 2021 Time code start: 3:36

Presentation of costume career & academic work as part of a spotlight on graduate students studying costume. 
Costume Society of America. (2021, March 15). Spotlight on grads: Research in costume [Video]. In Costume Society of America’s Conversations on Dress series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYcAGa5sQZg

Costume Society of America Western Region Virtual Symposium | October 3, 2020

In an artisan’s practice of traditional handcraft technique there can exist difficulties with adapting contemporary technologies and materials, especially if there is not a great amount of overlap with their existing technique. If, however, conditions exist where the contemporary technologies and materials are in some way resonant or familiar to the artisan’s existing tools and materials, they may then experience more ease with adapting to these technologies and materials (Du Puis, 2018). In this study, part of a master’s thesis on the integration of traditional techniques with contemporary technologies and materials in handcraft, the researcher explored how a traditionally trained artisan learns and uses contemporary technologies in their practice. 

Adapting the Traditional with the Contemporary: Fashion Artefacts as Technique Exploration in Practice-led Design Research

Costume Society of America. (2020, December 7). CSA Western region’s technology and the new bespoke: Craft and craftperson’s adapting over time [video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ynxWm7yP_AQ?t=3262
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