Fashion in Film and TV: Tiny Pretty Things || PR378

Note: These images are used for academic purposes, as this post is for a class assignment. Sources are hyperlinked.

Costume designer, Debra Hanson, in the pilot episode, “Corps” of the show, Tiny Pretty Things, incorporates the traditional ballet aesthetic, contemporary dance streetwear, and ornamentation to uphold the facade the Archer School of Ballet must portray in order to keep a good public relations image after the near-fatal fall of Cassie Shore. Contemporary ballet dancer and actress, Kylie Jefferson, plays the role of Neveah Stroyer, an unwelcome newcomer to an elite ballet school in Chicago. Given the spot after Cassie’s so-called accident, Neveah must navigate through the nepotism in order to outshine the others clawing for Cassie’s spotlight.

Debra Hanson and Kylie Jefferson collaborated on the wardrobe so that Neveah is portrayed in as an authentic and aspiring ballerina, transcending not only the expectations of her hometown but also the antagonizing atmosphere of the Archer School of Ballet. As Jefferson noted in a Pop Sugar interview, “once [Debra and Kylie] really started to talk about who Neveah was, especially being the only Black girl on screen, it was really important to [Kylie] that she was not seen as the poor one, but that she was seen as a girl who was just different from everyone else and just didn't know their world.” (Wasilak)

Note: These images are used for academic purposes, as this post is for a class assignment. Sources are hyperlinked.

Of all the ten outfits Neveah wore during the pilot episode, the first outfit stands out to me: a seemingly basic leotard, tights, and long tutu. The beginning scene presents Neveah being frustrated as she breaks in her new pointe shoes, banging them on the floor. Wearing a fair blush leotard with a blush long tutu with layers of tool, Neveah blends in with the other dancers around her in her home studio. When her teacher approaches her, informing her of Neveah’s acceptance into the Archer School of Ballet in Chicago, Neveah’s smile radiates, illuminating how her personality and tenacity makes her stand out the other dancers in the room.

Later in the episode, Neveah has a nightmare. In her the same initial outfit, the blank canvas becomes manipulated by the blue lighting. As her nightmare progresses, the other characters’ hypnotic trance turns gory with red lighting to match. The outfit, again, conforms to the new color spectrum. The choice for a shade of nude for the leotard verses a traditional black leotard allows for Neveah’s outfit to be manipulated by the lighting. The open cut of the back of the leotard acts as a reminder for Neveah to watch her back amongst the self-serving. While unseemingly symbolic in the beginning of the episode, the outfit deliberately narrates Neveah’s concern for upholding her values and resisting conformity.

As far as my personal standpoint, I adore the decision making. As a dancer myself, I understand how restricting and exposing the cuts of the leotard are and how they affect the way you present yourself as a dancer. The open back was a genius choice — but even more-so the color. I would have never thought to use a nude leotard. The outfit works perfectly for the shot, and the aura of the colors immerse the viewer into the nightmare as well.

Overall, I would highly recommend the show, Tiny Pretty Things. While I might be slightly more intrigued by ballet than others, the show has really thought provoking themes about maintaining a positive public image as well as the brutal competition in the ballet world. Dancers make dancing look easy. This show reveals the literal blood, sweat, and tears that dancers put into their careers and the extent to which they will go to be the headliner.

Works Cited

Analysis of Episode 1: “Corps,” of the Show Tiny Pretty Things. Based on a Novel by Sona

Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton. Created by Michael MacLennan. Air Date: 14

December 2020 on Netflix.

Wasilak, Sarah. “All About Neveah’s Style on Tiny Pretty Things— Straight from Kylie

Jefferson Herself.” Pop Sugar. Article. Published on 14 December 2020. Retrieved on 11

September 2022.