Case Study 1:
Protecting the World’s Greatest Circus Performers

We help create costumes that look as good as they feel for this International Circus Company.

Challenge:

When it comes to creating costumes for folks who’ll be contorting their body into nearly unnatural shapes in close proximity to fire or pyrotechnics, it can be difficult to find the right fabrics. They need to be stretchable and comfortable, give off the right look, wear well with night-after-night hard use. And then, of course, they must be treated with fire retardant, and still maintain a soft and desirable hand feel.

Solution:

Since 2004, we’ve been working directly with the costume designers to help find fabrics that have the look and feel they’re after, yet can be still be protected effectively. Often this means testing a total of 60 to 70 different fabrics to find the select few that they’ll eventually use for the show. Because the quality and unique look of the fabrics is critical, they are often crafted of mixed materials, which adds another complication to the fire-retarding process.

Once we’ve found the right product or products for each costume, Turning Star staff trains the company’s costume department on the correct application methods for that show’s specific costumes, so they can re-apply them each time the costumes are washed during the 10 years or more the show will run.

Case Study 2:
Helping Army Headrest Manufacturer Handle Hard-To-Treat Fabrics

In a mere five days, we gave this headrest manufacture the “impossible.”

Challenge:

When it comes to wear and tear and suffering the abuses of hard use, nylon fabric can’t be beat. But it definitely poses a problem for fire proofing. This manufacturer of headrests for Army Humvees came to us needing to find a product that would treat their wood supported headrests that were covered in a rugged nylon fabric.

Solution:

“Impossible” is a frequent word that’s used when talking about fire-retarding nylon. Working hand-in-hand with the company through a number of different mixes to find the right one, we were able to fast-track a product in development that not only met automotive standards for fire retardancy, but also passed the strictest standards and certifications for the U.S. military. What’s more, we were able to meet the company’s incredibly fast turnaround just 5 days from when they first called until when we finally found the right solution.

Case Study 3:
Working With the Lincoln Center Festival Since 1999

Turning Star works behind-the-scenes to get shows up and running -and up to code -each summer.

Challenge:

Each summer, the Lincoln Center Festival brings in a rotating set of six to eight international shows to various stages across New York City. The shows are from countries all around the world, and are often not certified to meet U.S. and NYC fire codes. What’s more, the material makeup of the scenery, props, and costumes for each show varies considerably – and their schedules are very tight when they’re trying to get their show up-and-running for the first performance.

Solution:

As the exclusive fire-retardant applicator partner since 1999 for this festival, we come onsite to test and treat the backdrops, sets, and costumes as each production is setting up. Because of the nature of the festival, one of our teams is onsite each week during the summer months working on a new show. We coordinate with the festival production team to fit into their arrival and set up schedules. Once onsite, we work quickly to figure out the right mix of our products that work with their fabrics and materials—all while staying out of the way so they can load in their show, start teching, rehearse and get ready for their first performance (usually within just 36 to 60 hours of their arrival).