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Local dancer works with fashion designer to create custom costume

Just a little more than a year ago, on Oct. 10, 2015, Abbey Karnes was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Although she spent days in the hospital and felt “lost” as a result of her diagnosis at the young age of 12, she did not allow her medical condition to hinder her drive or dampen her spirit.

Now, at 13 years of age, Abbey, who has already made headlines with her special community service project Diabetic Daisies, is once again gaining recognition for her extraordinary talents. This time, as a designer of fashion, particularly ballet costumes.

Designing has been a passion of Abbey’s since she was a young child during which time she would receive children’s design books and admits to “doing them all the time.” She even created some Polly Pocket dresses although she admits they “didn’t turn out so well.”

Since that time, Abbey has continued to hone her skills as a fashion designer, concentrating her efforts mostly on drawing and sketching, but always with the hopes of learning to sew a product of her own design. With nearly eight years under her belt as a dancer, it is no surprise that this activity has had tremendous inspiration on her sketches and drawings, prompting her dance instructor, Emily Ferrell of Pure Energy Dance Studio in Grand Rapids, to do something incredibly special.

“I knew Abbey was interested in design, and Jessie (her mother) had talked to me about Abbey wanting to design her own costume at some time,” said Ferrell, who then sought to make Abbey’s dream a reality.

One day, while perusing her Instagram feed, Ferrell saw a photograph of a fellow pageant contestant in an outfit with a thank-you to designer Haley Weinberg who is located in Plymouth, Minn., just west of downtown Minneapolis. After doing a bit of research, Ferrell decided to contact Weinberg to discuss her assisting Abbey with the creation of her costume for a solo competition performance.

“My mentorship of Abbey began when her dance teacher, Emily, reached out to me,” said Weinberg. “She explained Abbey’s story and a little bit about her. From there, she told me about her dance studio, and how she would love to have Abbey create and learn about fashion and the making of dance costumes. I love helping and giving back to people and the community in any way possible, so of course I wanted to make this opportunity happen for Abbey.”

For the Karnes’ the opportunity and thoughtfulness of the gesture was overwhelming, particularly after the tough year Abbey had experienced as a result of her diagnosis.

“We had no idea that this was happening,” said Jessie Karnes, Abbey’s mother, who noted that the process of creating the custom costume, which involved numerous trips to Weinberg’s workspace, was exciting to watch.

“Haley was so sweet and full of energy and excited to teach Abbey,” said Karnes.

Although Weinberg noted that, initially, Abbey was “shy and reserved,” she admitted that, once they began discussing a bit further, “she started to realize we have a lot in common and she started opening up. Eventually I began to see the bubbly and outgoing side of her. She has such an incredible personality and is a very talented girl.”

Regardless of how shy she may have first appeared, there was no doubt in Weinberg’s mind that Abbey had a “creative mind.”

“When Abbey first showed me her sketches, I could see the progression of her sketches over time,” said Weinberg. “When she was younger, she had sketches of outfits and costumes, but as she got older, it was clear to see the time, detail and practice she has put into her designs. Also, not only does she have a sketch of an outfit, but often times, she has a dance song, or theme behind the outfit, becoming more than just a shirt and pants.”

From here, the “two peas in a pod” as described by Karnes, began narrowing down the final design for Abbey’s unique and one-of-a-kind solo costume.

“When we started designing her costume, we first discussed the mood of her song that she is dancing to,” said Weinberg. “From there, we eliminated the colors down to maroons or greens. After, we looked at color fabric samples, and decided on green. With that, we narrowed down the design of the skirt and top she wanted and how we would use the fabrics for each part of the outfit. After ordering the fabrics, Abbey and her mother came to my house for a weekend and we hand-made her costume together. I took her measurements and taught her how to pattern the outfit, sew it, and assemble it to become a whole outfit that blends together well. From there, we decided on a decorative trim and where to put it on the costume.”

Abbey was involved in the creative process in every way possible, including one of her favorite parts, adding the Swarovski rhinestones, a process which Abbey described as “really fun” and easier than it may look.

“Haley said that Abbey had a vision for the color, mixing the two colors [as she did],” said Karnes.

Both her mother and Ferrell were impressed and excited by the level of instruction Weinberg provided Abbey.

“It was fun to see all the colors and such and see Abbey choose from them,” said Ferrell. “Haley would tell her which colors were really popular and thus she should stay away from so her design would be unique. She also helped pick colors that would look good on Abbey.”

“[Haley] would have advice on what different cuts are good for onstage, and stuff that’s good for Abbey to know if she’s going to continue designing,” said Karnes, who noted that Weinberg’s past as a dancer allowed her to “know what feels right.”

After the design was complete, Abbey’s efforts culminated in her performing a solo lyrical dance in a costume that she had designed and participated in creating.

“It was really amazing, really fun and cool to watch Abbey compete in a costume that she has a sense of ownership of,” said Ferrell. “It was fun to see her up on stage wearing something that she had designed.”

Although the costume has since been completed and Weinberg is currently working in Los Angeles, Calif., her mentorship of Abbey continues, always being available to answer a question or offer a suggestion.

According to Karnes, Weinberg “gave Abbey some fabric to go home and practice with,” an event which has prompted Abbey’s creation of her own ballet skirts, some of which have become highly desirable amongst her fellow dancers at Pure Energy. Once again, Weinberg has been available to offer patterns of varying sizes. Abbey and her mother have even discussed the possibility of turning her passions for designing ballet skirts into a job, making Abbey’s creations available to those who share her passion for dance.

“It’s so fun that she got this opportunity,” said Karnes. “She has something she’s all ambitious to do at home now.”

Looking to the future, Abbey hopes to continue utilizing the skills she learned from her time with Weinberg. Although she admits that she enjoys sketching clothing of all types, some of which were considered “high fashion” by her mentor, she notes that she sees herself sticking with designing dance costumes in the future.

“That’s where I’m comfortable,” said Abbey. “Before, I didn’t design costumes, but I had a wild imagination as a kid, so I designed stuff like the bubble dress. The costumes came after dance contests and I’d see the costumes and think of ways I could change them. I know dance more. I’ve grown up with it, so designing for it, for me, is where I’m comfortable.”

She also hopes to continue to work with Weinberg in the future, possibly making it an annual event to design a costume for her solo performance.

“Abbey is such an amazing kid,” said Weinberg. “There is no doubt in my mind that we will work together again, and create another amazing outfit. Abbey is someone you can not forget. She is a star.”

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