Cirque du Soleil from head to toe

Fragile fabric

These colorful accessories that performers wear over their Lycra costumes are made of a thin fabric called Crystalette and have to be ironed before each show. The fragile fabric "melts if you use too hot an iron," Jacobs said, so she has a drawer thick with yards of Crystalette to make replacements as needed. These accessories can last for two to three years. The Lycra costumes, because of sweat, hard use and constant washing, survive for only two to three months.