The Art of the Costume
Ah, the ballet costume! An integral part of the dance, a visual embodiment of the music and choreography. Itâs both a functional piece, allowing the dancer to move freely and express emotion through their physicality, and a breathtaking piece of art that transports us to different worlds and times. A symbol of feminine beauty, grace and elegance, ballet costumes continue to be a fascination. The designs and their interpretations, the history behind each element â oh, my darling! There is such variety! From the opulent tulle of the classical tutu, the vibrant colours and sparkling sequins of folk traditions to the sleek simplicity of contemporary creations. As a ballerina, I find this exquisite diversity simply enthralling! And in a world where fashion is evolving at breakneck speed, how interesting that some costumes havenât changed much since the days of Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. The allure is undeniable!
The 'Tutu' as Symbol: In ballet, we see the tutu representing so many things. The iconic pouter or 'bell-shaped' tulle skirt is a true symbol of classical ballet. You see this stunning silhouette in the most popular ballets, âGiselleâ with its wispy romantic layers to the majestic power of the âSwan Lakeâ white tutu. Of course, itâs essential to acknowledge that its popularity was linked to the development of pointe shoes which it needed to accommodate. We couldn't talk about tutus without talking about this dance icon, right?! Those lovely pink satin slippers that elevate our movements, giving us an otherworldly and enchanting beauty. In the world of contemporary ballet, you see the tutu morphing and transforming. We see shorter lengths, less layering and innovative combinations of materials that celebrate the dynamism of contemporary choreography.
International Style and Heritage: I often say there are as many 'styles' as there are countries that dance ballet! Take, for example, the vibrant costumes of the Russian Ballet. Itâs almost like stepping into a fabulous and dramatic fairy tale, isnât it? Their opulent use of jewels, beading, silks and embroidery are simply dazzling and their iconic colours (red, blue, and gold) evoke Imperial majesty and drama. Itâs no surprise they are called âThe jewels of the Russian soulâ!
Now letâs take a trip to Spain. The colourful costumes of 'Don Quixoteâ are instantly recognisable - think flamboyant red tutus with billowing sleeves and beautiful hand-stitched details! A dance full of flair!
And what about the stunning costumes of the traditional Indian Dance traditions like 'Bharatanatyam'?! These designs are not only beautiful but are significant symbols of both religion and ancient tradition. Those incredibly intricate details that we see in the âGhoongroosâ, those dazzling anklets and toe bells? The rhythmic âJhallarâ, a beautiful costume of layered gold brocade! What intricate artistry! The stories woven into these costumes go so far beyond what is conveyed through music and movement - fascinating!
Ballet Costumes Through the Ages:
A trip down memory lane to see some historical evolution of ballet costume? Of course, darling! You know I am a lover of all things vintage!
- Renaissance and Baroque: In the 15th century the styles of the Renaissance influenced dress for the ballet de cour â think opulent gowns with voluminous, ruffled sleeves, corsets, and heavy fabrics like silk and velvet. As the era evolved into the 17th century, the styles became a bit more flamboyant and we started seeing lavish use of embellishments â lace, embroidery, feathers, sequins⌠Think Marie Antoinette â so grand, right?!
- The Ballet de Cour: The ballet de cour, essentially dance at the Royal Court, was mainly performed by the aristocracy! A lavish and extravagant affair it had influences from dance and theatre of the time. Think, gowns in rich fabrics - velvet, silk and brocade, lots of jewelry and high headdresses.
- The French 'Danseurâ of the 1700âs : Imagine costumes that reflect the rococo movement and the lavishness of the Louis XV and Louis XVI court. They were full-bodied silhouettes. Think of a large âskirtâ, with fitted waist, a flowing skirt, often laced, or with silk or velvet and delicate embroidery â think âThe Fairyâ! There were even beautiful âcuffsâ or frills and ruffles and of course, a tall feathered hat!
- The Birth of Romantic Ballet: It was in the late 1800s during the rise of the âRomantic Balletâ, we saw the famous tutu in a simple âbell shapeâ, in ethereal, wispy colours like white and light blue, inspired by the spirit of romanticism. The focus was on fluidity and delicacy.
- Classical Ballet of the Late 19th Century and the 20th Century: From this period we saw the development of the iconic âPouter Tutuâ. With the advent of âpointe shoesâ and a need to show their footwork and technical skill, the dancers started incorporating shorter, more streamlined tutus with multiple layers of netting â the kind you still see on stage today. What a revolution!
The Beauty and Design: The design is a true testament to the artistic and craft traditions â imagine a dancer adorned with exquisite costumes created by hand with so much painstaking detail. Each embellishment is carefully chosen for its specific effect: beading, feathers, gems, and intricate hand-painted patterns⌠These beauties speak volumes of artistic vision. The artistry and detail of costume design is so important. Every dance performance is about the visual story that unfolds through movement. You see the effortlessness of the costume being worn and the movement itself becoming art in motion!
The sheer amount of craftsmanship behind each costume is a labour of love! Imagine! Hand-stitched embroidery, beadwork, sequins, each piece of a dance costume needs attention and an appreciation for detail!
More Than just a Costume
For the ballerina, it is much more than just fabric and adornment. It's the feeling of power that we gain from wearing these exquisite creations! There is so much character in each design. I truly feel that a costume can make or break a performance! It has to enhance, complement and tell a story through our movement. When everything harmonizes itâs magic. That magic! Oh itâs simply divine! That sensation of being adorned in a beautiful costume, all carefully prepared, and stepping onto the stage â an extraordinary feeling of freedom and power!
A few personal notes to end our little journey today:
⢠Itâs truly amazing to think that a simple ballet tutu was so transformative in terms of what the world saw in female movement on stage. Imagine all the new dance forms and costumes the future will bring!
⢠Do you ever find yourselves inspired to buy balletic-style dresses or gowns because you are charmed by the simple elegance of these ballet outfits, or even perhaps, their elaborate and grand appeal? This fascination seems to endure.
⢠When it comes to costuming for contemporary ballet there seems to be endless possibilities in materials, colors, styles! As the art form itself continues to evolve, so will its visual aesthetic - which means I need to buy more costumes⌠Iâm so excited for whatâs to come! What an unbelievable journey to have taken, right?!
Until next time darling!