Island Packet (Hilton Head Island, SC) via NewsEdge :

Feb. 19--As New York Fashion Week comes to a close and the collections of Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan get packed away, the Hilton Head Dance Theatre will host a different kind of runway show for the Lowcountry, in which toe shoes meet high fashion.

At 2 p.m. Saturday at Windows on the Waterway, company dancers and models from The Tucker Agency will take part in "Tea for Tutu," a fashion show featuring handmade tutus from past dance theater performances and spring 2009 clothing from local boutiques.

"We wanted to showcase the local talent, not only of our dancers, but the high fashion that resides here in our local community," said Kelly Smith, event chairwoman and president of the Hilton Head Dance Theatre.

Though locals likely will recognize many of the tutus at Saturday's fundraiser from popular productions such as "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake," this will be the first time they've had a chance to see the intricate creations up close. Ballet favorites such as the Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy and Cinderella will walk a pink carpet runway, as will characters from "Don Quixote," "Sleeping Beauty" and "Coppelia." A dew drop tutu from "The Nutcracker" and a tiger lily tutu from

"Alice in Wonderland" also will be auctioned off.

"Some professional companies don't have costumes as good as ours," said Carol Hack, a past president of the dance theater who once volunteered her time to make the elaborate headpieces that were paired with many of the tutus. She credits Karena Brock-Carlyle, founder of the Hilton Head Dance School, and a few other dancers' moms with crafting the one-of-a-kind tutus from scratch.

"It's very labor-intensive work, and Karena has always been fantastic about using the best materials and most beautiful fabrics," Hack said.

Celebrity makeup artist Krista Marie, who has worked with VH1 and MTV, will get the company dancers runway-ready, as will local modeling coach Jennifer Tucker.

And thanks to Sheri's Edible Designs on Hilton Head, every guest will walk away with a tutu sample. A 3-D cake of the standard ballet costume will be part of the high tea that kicks off the event on the back veranda of Windows on the Waterway.

If you go

Hilton Head Dance Theatre will host "Tea for Tutu" at 2 p.m. Saturday at Windows on the Waterway on Hilton Head Island. Tickets to the event cost $40 for adults and $20 for children 16 and under and can be purchased online at www.teafortutu.com or at Burke's Pharmacy on Main Street. Seating is limited, and tickets will not be sold at the door.

The fashion show will feature handmade tutus from the collection of the dance theater and spring 2009 clothing from local boutiques. Participating stores include Island Child, S.M. Bradford Co., A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, Posh Boutique, Eggs 'n' Tricities, Gigi's Boutique & Outfitters, The Back Door and The Porcupine.

<<Island Packet (Hilton Head Island, SC) -- 02/20/09>>