6 August 2025
To help us create our ISTD examination uniform, we appointed the dancewear company Dansez to work with a group of members from across our genres to create a sustainable, inclusive, and quality uniform range that offers flexibility and good value for dancers and teachers, Sam tells us more about the design process in our most recent interview.
What inspired you to create the ISTD Dansez uniform?
As a dancer who grew up training with the ISTD syllabus, this project felt incredibly personal. I remember how important it was to feel both confident and comfortable in what I wore to class and exams. The opportunity to create something that supported young dancers on that same journey was really special. At Dansez, we’re passionate about combining innovation with tradition, and working with ISTD to design a uniform that’s both functional and stylish felt like the perfect alignment of values.
What was the goal you shared with ISTD members when you first launched the uniform?
We wanted to create a uniform that dancers would genuinely love wearing. Pieces that would feel modern, flattering, and performance-ready while still respecting the clarity and structure needed for examination wear. My aim was to bring elegance, clean lines, and subtle flair, with enough personality that dancers felt excited to put it on each day. The design had to move beautifully, but also support the technical work ISTD is known for and we worked closely with each committee to achieve this.
Tell us about your background in dance, and how being a dancer has influenced your approach to designing.
I started dancing at the age of three and trained intensely until I was eighteen, studying the ISTD syllabus in Modern and Tap. I was lucky enough to win the All England Championships twice in the Classical Duet category and was once a finalist for Miss Dance of Great Britain. I also completed my RAD Advanced Ballet exams, so dance was my world growing up.
That experience has hugely shaped how I design. I remember how leotards felt, how they moved, where they rubbed, or didn’t support, and even back then, I loved experimenting with my own designs (often cutting the backs out of old leotards to make them more exciting!). That blend of creativity and practicality still guides me today. I know how a dancer needs to feel, unrestricted, confident, strong and I design from that place of understanding.
How did you choose the materials and colours?
Material choice was critical. Dancers need fabrics that stretch, breathe, and endure, but also ones that feel amazing on the skin. We’ve used regenerated fabrics for this collection, which are not only soft and durable but also environmentally responsible. Sustainability is central to everything we do at Dansez.
As for the colours, we wanted a palette that felt fresh and sophisticated, while still being appropriate for exams. The tones had to work well as they progressed through the age ranges and also complement a variety of skin tones. Every colour was chosen with care, in consultation with ISTD, to ensure it supported the syllabus while giving dancers a sense of individuality.
What does it mean to you to see dancers wearing the uniform a year on?
It’s genuinely emotional! I still get a buzz when I see dancers in studios or online wearing pieces we created. To know that something I helped design is part of their dance journey. Their exams, their growth, their memories! It is an incredible feeling that brings things full circle from my own student days, and that connection is priceless.
What has been the most rewarding moment in this journey so far?
One standout moment was seeing the first group of dancers trying on the collection and hearing their reactions. They felt confident, beautiful, and empowered and that’s exactly what we hoped for. Knowing we created something that dancers want to wear, not just have to wear, has been the greatest reward.
Are there any milestones or achievements you're particularly proud of?
Launching this collection in collaboration with ISTD was a major milestone. It represented years of shared values and work, and to be trusted with such an important project meant a lot. I’m also incredibly proud of our commitment to sustainability: donating annually to the Healthy Seas Initiative and ensuring that dancewear can be beautiful, high-performance, and planet-conscious all at once.
You can follow Dansez on social media:
Instagram: @lovedansez
Facebook: Dansez
Find out more about Dress for Success - and shop the collection here.
