SVETLANA NEPOMNIN -- Working

--Story by Deepa Bharath; photo by Greg Fry

SHE IS

Making clothes that will swirl and sparkle on the dance floor.

SEWING DREAMS

Nepomnin, 38, has always engaged her creative side. The Huntington

Beach seamstress specializes in ballroom dancing clothes, making costumes

for Strictly Ballroom Dance Apparel in Newport Beach.

A dancer herself, Nepomnin used to participate in international dance

contests, pairing with her husband, Serge. The couple moved to California

from Moscow 10 years ago.

Nepomnin said she has made clothes since she was a little girl.

“My mom taught me to sew,” she said in a thick Russian accent. “I used

to make clothes for myself and friends.”

STICKING WITH ART

Nepomnin started working full time as a professional seamstress five

years ago after retiring from being a competitive dancer.

She works from the convenience of her home, where she has every tool

she needs -- a sewing machine, scissors and accessories.

“I love doing this because it’s an art like dancing,” she said. “You

can be very creative. There’s no limit.”

In addition to ballroom dancing gowns, Nepomnin creates costumes for a

variety of other dance styles, as well as for the theater.

Nepomnin experiments with different styles and accessories. She works

with a variety of fabrics, decorating them with colorful beads, white

pearls, delicate lace, sparkling rhinestones and pretty fringes.

“Ostrich feathers are pretty common as accessories too,” she said.

CHANGING FACE OF FASHION

What makes her job interesting and challenging, Nepomnin said, is the

ever-changing world of ballroom fashion.

“A few years ago, it used to be a long, flowing dress,” she said. “But

now it’s more festive, more like a party dress.”

Skirts and bows are things of the past. Chiffon gowns and rhinestones

are in these days, she said.

And there’s nothing else she would rather do, Nepomnin said.

“I could do this forever,” she said. “It’s a great job, a great hobby

and a lot of fun.”