Today we’d like to introduce you to Gayle Davis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gayle. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
It started when I was 12 years old, the older girl down the street taught me to sew gathered skirts of wonderful cotton prints. When 15 years old I joined a dance group, Marilyn Stevens was the choreographer and designed our costumes. She was a ballet dancer from New York.
When Marilyn opened MStevens Dancewear in Hollywood she asked me if I wanted to work with her, knowing I love to draw and design. I started from the beginning and soon fell in love with the process of manufacturing dancewear.
We worked with the famous Hollywood designers, Bob Mackie, Pete Menefee, Ret Turner and others. Each week constructing something new from their sketches for stage and film. We worked together for many years. Marilyn was my mentor and eventually left me the company.
I am continuing the art of constructing beautifully made dancewear. Also during this time, Gayle Davis Designs was developed. Dresses were the focus of this new venture, ballroom, modern and lyrical for class and performances. Also, Gayle Davis Designs was working for Crystal Cruises being known as the Lycra Girl. That is me.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not always. Working with deadlines has been a bit of a roller coaster. From making sample patterns, meeting deadlines, finding the perfect fabric, supplies and often working all night and weekends to deliver the ideal garment. The process is a creative challenge, but one that I am always up for.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with MStevens Dancewear – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
MStevens is known for the highest quality dancewear. Using the original Milliskin fabric which is known for its amazing fit and wears for over 40 years. We are known for men’s ballet performance tights and unitards throughout the country and worldwide. Our online shop caters globally to classical dancers.
We do custom work for stage, screen, Opera and major dance Companies. Every process of production is done in house, designing, patterns, cutting, sewing plus dyeing.
What sets us apart is we work directly with our clients to execute their vision. I also design for groups and single performers. My goal is for a costume to enhance their performance. Dancers need to feel completely at ease and have the garment become part of them.
We are a women-owned and women operated company. We take great pride in our contribution as a small boutique manufacturing company,
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and the least?
I love the diversity in everything: people, food, art, valleys, and mountains.
I do not embrace the traffic and how long it takes to travel across town.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1925 Blake Ave. Los Angeles 90039
- Website: [email protected]
- Phone: 323 661 2147
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: mstevens_dancewear
Image Credit:
Jordan Weiner The Artful Lens, Donna Lam Photography
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