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.”
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.