When ordering costumes, we just see the front of the costume, in the books, right?.....well...take a word, or two, of advice....ask to see the back of the costume...we just ordered over 2,000 dollars of costumes from a very prominent maker, and the costume does not have a trimmed back...just NUDE fabric....so when your dancer faces upstage...guess what she looks topless!...what company could even sell these costumes, do they not have daughters, that they would not ever want to see in a garment like that...just because the picture looks great....do not order until you get the back view.....i am told they cannot do anything about it, because they are too busy....charged me for fabric, for us to try to figure out something to tack on!....if we were not in a time crunch, we would send the entire order back....wish us luck , in "fixing" the disaster!

Thanks for the warning. Could you tell us what company this is?

Yes please tell us which costume! Just in case it's one of the one's we're planning on ordering next week.

We have our orders going off in the next couple of weeks, I'd like to check if it's a firm I'm using too.

it is from the Art Stone Holiday Ballet (Nutcracker) costume book....Snowflakes.....it is gorgeous in the front....totally nothing but nude material in the back, the professional skirt is lovely, the trim for the front very nicely done....but,someone must have been asleep at the wheel to let that bare back out of the sewing room!....

Something seems odd about that...only because we used these same costumes a few years ago and our backs were not nude. They are zipper-backed bustiers that go over the nude underlayer/skirt, with a separate tutu of your choice (platter, romantic, etc.). At least we used the same ones that are shown as Snowflakes in the online ArtStone Holiday catalog. We also used the Waltz of the Flowers and Sugar Plum costumes which are made in the same way.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but make sure you have all the right pieces put together in the right way.

You can see the back of the Art Stone costumes on their website, usually (there is a link on the bottom to see it) but I am always wondering about the back of costumes, too, so if I am not sure, I call and ask.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I had that problem a few years ago when I didn't check the back of one costume and it was much more "spare" than I'd expected. Now I always check, either the catalog or online, and if neither have a photo of the back, I call and ask.

Thanks for your info on the Snowflake...now, I am more convinced than ever, that the factory, just did not finish the costume..and sent it out without inspection....the overlay part has a nude front and back...then the bustier goes over that...with the nude back...what a disaster!....

Yes that definitely sounds like a manufacturer error...that they should fix! I hope we aren't going to start having these issues from ArtStone with all of their costumes!

That happened to me, a few times, over the years, that a costume was not finished. They did handle it for me. That is why I always ordered very early.

thanks for everyones comments on this costume.....H135.....I have written more info to the company, and hopefully they will correct these bustiers...thanks for the support!

On the Art Stone website you can see the backs of all the costumes. We used this exact costume for competition and it was beautiful. The judges all love it. We did so well with it we are using it again this year with the platter tutu.

Dear lulubelle
I am sorry that you are not pleased with the Snowflakes costume. We have been running this costume for a few years and most people seem to be very happy when they see it on their students.
Either way, my customer service people tell me they have gotten in touch with you and are gladly willing to add something on the back in order to make it to your liking.
As for showing the back of the costumes-If you will check the price list, the backs of most of our costumes (including the Snowflakes costume) are pictured and they are also pictured on our website.
I hope when you receive the adjusted costume you will be pleased.
Sincerely,
Art Stone

yes, I have received such positive support from Art Stone and his staff....are going to send a call tag for the bodices, place decor on the backs, and return the costumes in a very timely manner...we all appreciate the wonderful cooperatiion shown by Art Stone, they have demonstrated that they are there for the teachers and for the students in our care.....wanting us to present the students in a very modest manner, thus increasing their sense of confidence, that all of us work hard at giving them!.....Thanks Art Stone , Lisa and Maureen!!!

FYI for next year if you have a UDMA show near you can see all the sample costumes.

the Snowflake costumes have been fixed"finished"....the backs now have a nice continuation of the front design...Art Stone very quickly took care of the problem and returned them in a very timely manner....they look great!....Have been writing letters to UDMA ever since they stopped coming anywhere close to this part of the country...they have moved all of those wonderful shows so far away from our area...I have attended two of them, when they were closer, and loved them! Teachers on this side of the country need to have a chance to attend...after you travel to conventions in the summer, it is hard to go far away for those shows, too!......More teachers that are out way out west, could write to them too!..maybe it would help!

Glad to know it all worked out for you!!

Thanks to all who were concerned.....great support!....and wonderful outcome!