0:00:08 > 0:00:10Gavin Doherty is Belfast born and bred.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16But he's forged an international reputation as an Irish dance teacher
0:00:16 > 0:00:20with the Doherty Petri School, which has classes in Belfast and New York.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24He's also one of the top names in Irish dance dress design,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26setting the trends every season.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It's one thing to get to the top,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33but it's another trying to stay there.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Growing up in a terraced house in North Belfast during The Troubles,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Gavin and his two sisters immersed themselves in Irish dance.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Growing up, I remember you'd hear shooting in the background
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and Mummy and Daddy would shout, "Get away from the windows!"
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Everybody would lie on the floor for a while until it was OK again.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Looking back, it was crazy,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09but we were so heavily involved in the dancing
0:01:09 > 0:01:13we didn't have time to even understand what was going on.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16I think our parents shielded us so much from that,
0:01:16 > 0:01:20I think that's why they wanted to keep us involved in dancing
0:01:20 > 0:01:23and would do anything to make sure that we stuck at it.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28In the '80s, boys had to wear kilts for Irish dancing,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30making Gavin an easy target for bullies.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35There were times I wanted to quit and didn't want to do it any more
0:01:35 > 0:01:39because I didn't want to be bullied.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43So, you know, again, it was getting to that point
0:01:43 > 0:01:45where the dancing meant enough to me
0:01:45 > 0:01:47that the bullying didn't matter any more.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52In the mid '90s, Gavin reached his competitive peak,
0:01:52 > 0:01:54placing third in the world.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58He was a very strong, athletic dancer.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Very powerful, great rhythm and very assured in himself.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04He knew what he was trying to do himself,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Perhaps because it was one of his last years,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10he knew exactly what he wanted to try and achieve.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12I think that's Gavin.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14It's the same way in how he developed his business -
0:02:14 > 0:02:16he knows what he wants
0:02:16 > 0:02:20and he will quietly work towards that and just go for it.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Over the course of his competitive career,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Gavin's mother built a small business making Irish dance costumes
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and the creative possibilities appealed to Gavin.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34I went to my mum's studio for my lunch
0:02:34 > 0:02:37and there was a lady there with her daughter who had said,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40"Is there no design with a phoenix in flames?"
0:02:40 > 0:02:44And I was sitting and I said, "Mum, I can draw it, I can draw it."
0:02:44 > 0:02:48I was basically told to sit down and shut up!
0:02:48 > 0:02:50The lady said, "No, why can he not draw it?
0:02:50 > 0:02:52"Can he draw it?"
0:02:52 > 0:02:56So, eventually Mum gave in and let me do it.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58It was a green travera dress
0:02:58 > 0:03:01with the white phoenix and the flames along the bottom of it.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08That first dress contained motifs
0:03:08 > 0:03:10which remain part of his signature style
0:03:10 > 0:03:13and can still be seen in his dresses today.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Whenever I was drawing in the house,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19it was always Celtic animals, Celtic birds.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21That was just what I loved to do.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23I love painting and if I had the chance, and I had the time,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26that's definitely what I would go back to trying to do.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32This afternoon, Gavin's working with his design team
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and has his hands full overseeing every pattern
0:03:35 > 0:03:36that leaves the factory.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40But much has changed since his early days working from home.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44When I first started,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47I used to hand-draw the designs on the costumes.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48Then people used to come to my house
0:03:48 > 0:03:50and I would have it on the floor for them to look at.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53They'd pick one and I'd hand-draw it on to the costume.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Then it would go to somebody else to get embroidered,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58and then somebody else to get put together.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01So, actually, this is a much better way for the customer because...
0:04:01 > 0:04:03it makes it much more visual for them.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10It's five o'clock and, upstairs in the dance studio,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12it's time for class.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Really? What time is this?
0:04:16 > 0:04:17Get up!
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Control the top half, remember.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27This is our class where we have all the kids together
0:04:27 > 0:04:29so they can all feed off each other.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Tomorrow night, it's split.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32We do a lot of drills.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34It's just easier to keep them altogether,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36plus the younger ones are able to see the older ones.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38It gives them something to work for.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Plus, it pulls the whole class together
0:04:40 > 0:04:42when we have them together in one group.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- What do you want?- First.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- I can't hear you.- First.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Right, show me what you're going to do to get first. Go!
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Nice attitude at the end. Come on!
0:04:51 > 0:04:54'These kids, they bounce off each other and push each other.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56'There is that bit of competition.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59'Nobody wants to be last, but it's friendly competition.'
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Point, point, point it!
0:05:01 > 0:05:02Good girl, good girl.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04The likes of Shannon, I mean,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Shannon has been with us since she was seven or eight years old
0:05:07 > 0:05:10and Shannon's won the Worlds six times.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Most of these kids see us more than they would see their parents.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16So you do have such a bond,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and you do have such influence over their lives.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21It's nice to be their friend and be there for them,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24as well as just being their dancing teacher
0:05:24 > 0:05:26screaming and shouting at them every single night of the week!
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Meanwhile, a late arrival has joined the class.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- What time did you arrive at?- Six.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- Six! What time is dancing at, Ethan? - Five.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Ethan Whyte is 14 years old
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and lives in Carrickfergus with his grandparents.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42He joined the Doherty Petri School a year ago,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46having previously enjoyed success as a festival dancer
0:05:46 > 0:05:49and is currently climbing the ranks in commission dancing.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52I'm Ethan's Granda.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56They call me Da, as do all my grandchildren, the five of them.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00It's a very personal thing with me and Ethan.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02We're very close.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04He means a lot.
0:06:05 > 0:06:11He always takes me to the classes for me to dance, five days a week.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12So it is a lot of hard work for him.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14He does get tired, but it's all
0:06:14 > 0:06:15for me and my dancing.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20When he came home to me from primary school
0:06:20 > 0:06:23and asked me could he go dancing,
0:06:23 > 0:06:25I just thought, "Yeah, let him do it."
0:06:25 > 0:06:27But when the ability came,
0:06:27 > 0:06:32and I saw what he had become and how natural he was,
0:06:32 > 0:06:33I'd couldn't stand in his way.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37I've always said to him, and this is nothing against plumbers or joiners,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40but, "You'll never be a plumber or a joiner in your life, son.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41"This is your life."
0:06:44 > 0:06:47You listen to parents boasting about their children all the time,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50but it's when he walked in and he started doing his reel.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Johnny and I just looked at each other and went,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55"Wow, we've got something here!"
0:06:58 > 0:07:01If I never had found dancing in my primary school,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I don't know where I would be.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Dancing is my life.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07I love dancing and it's the only thing I think about.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11That's it. That's it.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12Bye!
0:07:12 > 0:07:14There's no class tomorrow night.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17We're having a staff party. Isn't that right, Curtis?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36It's March 2015 and Gavin and his team
0:07:36 > 0:07:39are at the World Championships in Montreal.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43As well as showcasing his brand-new line of dress designs,
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Gavin also has kids from his dance school competing this week
0:07:47 > 0:07:50and has run into an early problem.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52There's flights delayed in Heathrow.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56We have parents that we're trying to get here for kids that are dancing,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58not so much tomorrow, but the next day.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I think there's something like 50 or 90 people stuck in Heathrow.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Some of our staff are stuff stuck there.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07We're trying to get this all set up and running before tomorrow
0:08:07 > 0:08:10because, after that, I'm going to be running in and out,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12trying to measure, trying to watch kids dance,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14deal with customers, do everything.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15But it's all part of the excitement!
0:08:20 > 0:08:24I use my own dancers as guinea pigs because, at the end of the day,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27if it's not right, it's only me that I have to face,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30not a line of screaming parents that their dress wasn't right.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- What do you think?- I love it.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- How did the practice come?- Good.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- Really good or just good?- Good.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38What I like about Gavin's dresses
0:08:38 > 0:08:41is they're very modern and I love the style.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43The flame thing is really in right now.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46I got a flame one recently and flame is all over the place, right?
0:08:46 > 0:08:47He always brings in the new styles.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Everyone is always saying,
0:08:49 > 0:08:52"I wonder what kind of styles Gavin will bring this year?"
0:08:54 > 0:08:55Before the World Championships here,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59we've come up with a number of new things that are different
0:08:59 > 0:09:01than anybody has seen so far.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04We've actually registered the designs this year
0:09:04 > 0:09:06because what happens a lot is that you come up with the new ideas,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09you spend so much time developing new things,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11then, all of a sudden, other people copy it.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15So I've had to take steps to try to make sure that that stops happening.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18So, yeah, I'm excited and nervous for the new stuff that's coming out
0:09:18 > 0:09:20and we just have to hope that it works.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28But some of Gavin's bolder looks are not to everyone's taste.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30For me, personally, some of the things
0:09:30 > 0:09:33wouldn't be what we would put our dancers in.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37I remember, at one of the Worlds, the skirt was a feather skirt
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and you're thinking, "Oh, my goodness!"
0:09:40 > 0:09:43You had to look at it long and hard and you thought,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45"Yes, do I like it? Do I not?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48"Yes, I think it works on that child,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50"but I don't think I'd put it on one of our dancers..."
0:09:50 > 0:09:52But, ultimately, it had the maximum effect.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57One of Gavin's unique selling points is that he coordinates his outfits
0:09:57 > 0:10:00with his top dancers on the day they compete.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05This is my dancing outfits!
0:10:05 > 0:10:09When I go to competitions, this is the wardrobe that gets used.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11But it's all part of the fun.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Sometimes if I'm wearing a jacket that matches the kids' dress,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18it makes them feel good and feel that they are ready
0:10:18 > 0:10:20and that you have faith in them.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21These are the trousers that I wore
0:10:21 > 0:10:24when Sarah Lennon won the World Championship.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28This jacket is the one I wore the first time
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Sinead Carson won the World in Boston.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32I think I've way too many shoes!
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Sometimes the shoes come before the dress.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37I see the shoes, I'm like, "OK, I have to have those,"
0:10:37 > 0:10:39then I'll do the dress to match.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43The flame shoes match everything, so they've been getting a lot of use.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44I need to try to get them fixed.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46CHEERING
0:10:46 > 0:10:49The coordinating look seems to have done the trick
0:10:49 > 0:10:51for the Doherty Petri School.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53It has been an amazing week for us.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57We're so happy that all our new styles came off so well
0:10:57 > 0:11:01and we're inundated with orders, and thank goodness for that!
0:11:01 > 0:11:04A lot of kids won the World Championships in our dresses.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06I was looking at one of the presentations,
0:11:06 > 0:11:11there were probably 80% of the kids in the top 20 in one of my costumes,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14which was a very proud moment for me.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17So, it's went really, really well.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Back in Belfast, several months have passed
0:11:30 > 0:11:33and the dress orders keep rolling in.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40Some of the manufacturing processes are in operation around the clock
0:11:40 > 0:11:43and Gavin can turn his hand to anything on the factory floor.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Beth, can you do me a favour?
0:11:45 > 0:11:48A couple of threads are not clipped on this.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49Could you go back over those?
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Most of my work now is involved with the designers and the design team.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Obviously, I can make every part of the dress,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59so, basically, on a day if there is a backlog somewhere
0:11:59 > 0:12:02and that area needs help, either I will jump on dressmaking
0:12:02 > 0:12:04or jump on the machines even.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05Just whatever is needed.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08I like to just know that I can do every single part,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11If we get a new machine or have a new process,
0:12:11 > 0:12:12I like to know what it is.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Maybe that's just that bit of a control freak that I am!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Meanwhile, upstairs, Ethan is practising
0:12:21 > 0:12:23for the Ulster Championships,
0:12:23 > 0:12:25which is taking place in two days' time.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28He came fourth last year - a remarkable achievement
0:12:28 > 0:12:31in his first major competition dancing for Gavin.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Whenever I first walked in these doors,
0:12:39 > 0:12:44the first thing I seen was the stamina throughout all the dances.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47And then I tried my first dance -
0:12:47 > 0:12:50couldn't do it, didn't have enough stamina for it.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54I kept stopping until I built all my muscles up
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and now I'm able to dance like a true champion.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02- How's you?- Good.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04You all set?
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- ETHAN SIGHS - Why do you look so worried?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10I don't know. I'm just freaking out for it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Listen, you've done the work. It'll all be fine.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16'When you have a boy that has that physique
0:13:16 > 0:13:18'where you can lift your leg up to your head'
0:13:18 > 0:13:21as a boy, then you're laughing.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25As long as they have timing and rhythm and everything else,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29it's hard to beat someone that has that natural ability.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32But he needs to now get his head back together
0:13:32 > 0:13:36and work and work and work on making sure the set dance is right.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38I didn't actually see it when it happened.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Ethan had been given a brand-new set dance to learn for the Ulsters,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46but he injured his foot on broken glass several weeks ago
0:13:46 > 0:13:47and it's had a big impact.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50'The problem is he hasn't had his heavy shoes on properly
0:13:50 > 0:13:53'for two weeks now and there are things'
0:13:53 > 0:13:55that aren't quite the way I would like them to be,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58so we're just trying to put the finishing touches off
0:13:58 > 0:14:00to try to get it sorted before we go.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02One, two, three and...
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Dah da dee dah...
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Now pull across.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Dah da dee dah...
0:14:08 > 0:14:09Again.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10Dah da dee dah...
0:14:10 > 0:14:11Up!
0:14:12 > 0:14:14You didn't watch it.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Dee dah... Again.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18You think that's enough to win? Cos I'm telling you it's not.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Gavin does put a lot of pressure on you,
0:14:21 > 0:14:23but he does it to make you out a champion.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Dee dump dee dumpity diddly...
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Up, over cross.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Exaggerate it. You look like you're afraid!
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Dee dump dee dumpity diddly...
0:14:34 > 0:14:39I know whenever I don't see his car here, I'm loving life.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41I love it whenever he's not teaching,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44but as soon as he walks through the doors as I'm about the dance,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I can't stop shaking in fear.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48He is scary.
0:14:48 > 0:14:49Dee dump, fight!
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Dee dumpity diddly... Dee dump dee dumpity diddly... Go!
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Sharp up. Up, up, up!
0:14:56 > 0:14:57That's it!
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Dee dump dee dumpity diddly. Dee dump dee dumpity diddly...
0:15:00 > 0:15:02That's more like it. Go again.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04MUSIC PLAYS
0:15:04 > 0:15:06But, once the music begins,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Ethan runs into problems with his timing on the new set dance,
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Do that piece.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19MUSIC IS TURNED OFF
0:15:19 > 0:15:22I'm really worried because you're missing bits.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27It was all fine when you were in your trainers, but it's not right.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30And I'm concerned that a day's not going to fix it.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32I know you've been working and working on it.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36I don't want you to think we think you haven't been working on it,
0:15:36 > 0:15:42but with not having the shoes on, you haven't mastered it yet, OK?
0:15:43 > 0:15:46With only two days to go before the Ulsters,
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Gavin insists that Ethan reverts to his old set dance.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55It could be a devastating blow, but Ethan tries to stay positive.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57I am not that disappointed.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I'd rather just get a set done so I can try and win the Ulsters.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Putting a brave face on it, Ethan continues to practice.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12While, downstairs, customers Joanne and Katie have arrived
0:16:12 > 0:16:14to discuss some design options.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- Hello, how's youse? - Gavin, how are you?
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- What's the craic? How's you, Katie?- All right.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Right, do you have anything in mind at all?
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- I want to stay the same colours. - Right, OK.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29But, I don't know, if we go black lace on the arms,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31will just look like the same dress again or...?
0:16:31 > 0:16:35The last time I was away, I got another two pieces of black lace.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38It was different and it was quite elegant-looking, you know?
0:16:38 > 0:16:39Show me the photograph.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- There.- That one? You can't really see it with the sashes on, but...
0:16:43 > 0:16:44You know what's going to happen?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- I'm going to show you bits and pieces...- I am going to say no.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48..then I'm going to do it anyway!
0:16:48 > 0:16:51And then I'm going to have a heart attack.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- This was...- It looks like a sheep!
0:16:54 > 0:16:56It does look like a sheep, doesn't it?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00That's what it looks like before I start doing my stuff with it.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03As Gavin gets excited about a new creative idea,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06mum Joanne is feeling apprehensive.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09You know almost that, sort of, ball gown?
0:17:09 > 0:17:12It looks dark, but if you imagine
0:17:12 > 0:17:15I had the design coming around the bottom of the skirt, as well.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19- Like an evening dress? - That sort of a look.- Yes.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Stop panicking! Right, I know what I'm doing.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Leave the rest with me and I will get the design done on the computer
0:17:25 > 0:17:26and we'll send it through to you.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28I know... You don't need to panic
0:17:28 > 0:17:31cos I know in my head what I'm doing, so...
0:17:31 > 0:17:32I hope so!
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Next day, Ethan is packing for the Ulsters,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43which are being held in Letterkenny this year.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47And he's keen to bring all the bare essentials.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50This is my Minion onesie.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I'm actually quite attached to Minions at the minute.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54I love them so much.
0:17:54 > 0:18:02And I actually wanted a Minion for my birthday whenever I was younger,
0:18:02 > 0:18:07but I just feel that I can be a proper Minion instead of having one!
0:18:08 > 0:18:13I do sometimes feel like a child in school, I play chasies and all that,
0:18:13 > 0:18:15So I do feel like a child.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19But, in dancing, I feel like an actual grown-up.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22I'm always grumpy and tired after it.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33The day of the Ulster Championships has arrived
0:18:33 > 0:18:37and it's been an early start for Ethan and grandad Ian
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and Ethan is feeling the effect.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44I've been up since 5:30am getting everything sorted
0:18:44 > 0:18:46and getting myself ready.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Now I have to be at side stage at 7:30am.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54So, I don't like the mornings.
0:18:54 > 0:18:55I really don't.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Ethan's costume was designed by Gavin and is deliberately plain.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05It means that they are not just looking at how you dress,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08they're looking at how you dance.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10I don't have to be blinged-up to be standing out,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13I can just be myself and stand out.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- I do look the part, don't I? - You definitely do, son.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19And there's the nicest thing about you - your smile.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Not in the mornings!
0:19:22 > 0:19:24No, you are definitely not a morning person, are you, son?
0:19:24 > 0:19:25Nope!
0:19:25 > 0:19:30But I would be nowhere else than be here with him.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32So, yes, I'm very proud of him
0:19:32 > 0:19:35and he will do well this morning, and today.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Ethan has the ability to go the whole way.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42We just need all the stars to line up on the day.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45OK, let's go. Gavin will be waiting on us.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- Can I get a coffee now? - Most certainly you can.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Ulster is the strongest Irish dancing region in the world.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05If you can win here, you can win anywhere.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Ethan, quite literally, has the world at his feet.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- IAN:- When he's up there, it sends shivers into me.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23It makes the hairs stand on the back of my head,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25and I know they're seeing something
0:20:25 > 0:20:28and I'm so proud of what he does.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Whenever I get on stage,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43I get that pleasure of feeling that everybody is just watching me.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49Instead of being trapped in a dance school, being with the teacher,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51on stage I just feel free.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57As long as he enjoys it, I'm happy.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02But the same boy will be out to get first, and I think he'll do it.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03I'm backing him.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Sure enough, Ethan's hard work and dedication pay off.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15And he takes first at the Ulsters.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21With a big win behind him, Ethan is confident about his future goals.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27Whenever I'm not dancing, I just feel quite tight, in a close closet.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31I don't know what to do with my life, I don't know what the work is,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35but whenever I'm with dancing, I know exactly what I want to do.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38I want to go out and win, I want to work with Gavin,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41I want to do well with everything,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43I want to be in Riverdance and all that.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58In Philadelphia, it's also competition time.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01And the Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas is underway.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Gavin has flown in to join his business partners,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Lisa and Karen Petri.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09The Doherty Petri School was the first in the world
0:22:09 > 0:22:11to establish a transatlantic merger,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15when Gavin and his sisters joined forces with the Petris in 2013.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18When the merger happened,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I think people would have found it very strange.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24I think there was a lot of changes happening in Irish dancing,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27with schools fragmenting and new mergers and things like that,
0:22:27 > 0:22:31but to have a transatlantic one was something totally unheard of.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37The whole merger was all about making it fun for us,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39making a better school for the kids,
0:22:39 > 0:22:43more to give them a life experience that we had when we danced,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46that we felt our school had lost.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Because it was so focused on just competition.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Tonight, Lisa is being honoured for her 25 years
0:22:54 > 0:22:56as an Irish dancing teacher.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00First and foremost, I'd really like to thank my mom and dad,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Paul and Eileen Petri, the greatest parents ever.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06APPLAUSE
0:23:06 > 0:23:07They just encouraged us so much,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11gave us every opportunity and so much support to help us
0:23:11 > 0:23:14every step of the way with the dancing school.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Like the Dohertys,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Irish dancing is very much a family affair for the Petris.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22And their parents play a big role in the business.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23We couldn't do it without them.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Mom, between helping with costume alterations,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30and Dad takes care of both of our studios in New York
0:23:30 > 0:23:32and, yeah, we couldn't do it without them.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Lisa's husband, Scott, is also involved in the family business.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42And downstairs, clients are lining up for a spray tan.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48Irish dancing colour is nice, dark, natural, deep brown colour.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52That's the right colour for the bright lights on stage,
0:23:52 > 0:23:53so you're not drowned out.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58Which is a very dark, unusual colour for anybody going to a wedding
0:23:58 > 0:24:00or a normal just everyday spray tan.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02So it's, er... It's different!
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Next morning, and Gavin, Lisa and Karen have a busy day ahead.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30We have 72 solo dancers
0:24:30 > 0:24:33and five traditional set dancers here this weekend.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38But they've come up with an innovative solution.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39We have this Viber group
0:24:39 > 0:24:41so that everybody knows what ballroom to be in,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44but all the Belfast parents are on it at the same time,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47they're sending pictures through of what's going on and the whole school
0:24:47 > 0:24:50is keeping each other updated. It's just really, really nice.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01But despite their best efforts to see all their students,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03things don't always go according to plan.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15I mean, you can see,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17it's pressure and we're all running about crazy,
0:25:17 > 0:25:19but we are all having a laugh and fun at it
0:25:19 > 0:25:21and that was one of the things, whenever we did merge,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24that we wanted to bring back into it for the kids.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26That fun element of getting to travel, getting to go over
0:25:26 > 0:25:29and experience something else, apart from just competition.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32It's life experiences that we're trying to give the kids
0:25:32 > 0:25:34as well as just competitive Irish dancing.
0:25:41 > 0:25:47It's January 2016, and the World Championships are fast approaching.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Dance teacher Maria has brought daughter Blaithin to Gavin's factory
0:25:50 > 0:25:52to get measured for her new dress.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54OK, let's go.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Right, we'll take the clothes in the bag.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59'At Clan McCole, our school,
0:25:59 > 0:26:03'we get all our dresses made here with Gavin.'
0:26:03 > 0:26:06No two dancers are the same, so it's all the time,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08working very closely with him on that
0:26:08 > 0:26:11and trying to get what best suits the child.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13So, you know, I need something that...
0:26:13 > 0:26:15she's short anyway for her age,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19so we need to be thinking of a design to elongate her.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21You know what I mean, it's not to cut her off.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25'Sometimes in the earlier days in working with Gavin,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27'when he would say, "This is gorgeous, this will work,"
0:26:27 > 0:26:29'and I would look at it and I would say,'
0:26:29 > 0:26:32"I really don't like it," and then we would agree, both,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34to perhaps not to like it.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37The first dress is this size and the next one is this one,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39so this one will be a wee bit longer, won't it?
0:26:41 > 0:26:42She is, finally!
0:26:42 > 0:26:47'The climax of our dancing year is the World Championships.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50'There is a lot of reveal, and we're all sitting with bated breath
0:26:50 > 0:26:51'for all those dancers to walk out.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53' "I think it's blue, it's purple, no, it's red,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55' "they've red in their hair." '
0:26:55 > 0:26:59That's what happens! Believe it or not!
0:27:01 > 0:27:05And Gavin is all too aware of the need to create a stir at the Worlds.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09He and his design team look to the catwalk for inspiration.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14See, I love this. See this? Is this McQueen here?
0:27:14 > 0:27:19I love his stuff, it's sort of... even that neckline.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22I just, I'm sick looking at all this...
0:27:22 > 0:27:24completely covered embroidery, it looks really heavy.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28I just want to do something different. I'm bored.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30I'm bored looking at the same thing over and over again.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33'There's a number of dresses that we have booked in
0:27:33 > 0:27:36'for the World Championships that the parents and teachers
0:27:36 > 0:27:38'and children have just completely left up to us'
0:27:38 > 0:27:43to do something crazy with, including the kids in our own class.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46So I always find it interesting just to see what the reaction is.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50I don't want to come out with 20 styles that all look the same.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54I'd love sort of a vintage look which would suit, you know,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57will suit that style of dancer.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01We have so many fabrics in next door that we haven't actually touched
0:28:01 > 0:28:04for a long time, and I'd really love to use those again this year.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Because what we have in there, nobody else has.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Gavin has always been ahead of the curve with his fabric choices.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16And while he has bold new styles in mind,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18they're not always for the dancers.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22I'm going to need to get some new suits made,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25because if we're going to change colours of dresses,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27I obviously need to try and match.