About town ... Ballet & Fashion exhibition

A couple of weeks ago I popped into the city and visited the National Gallery of Victoria to see the Ballet & Fashion exhibit (as previously posted here).  The exhibit showed successful collaborations between designers and dance companies over the last 30 years.  From traditional tutus to contemporary dance costumes, designers embracing contrasting materials and working within their own aesthetics and challenged to bring unique style and grace to the stage in contemporary forms.

There were some gorgeous outfits on display, creative, fanciful, graceful with sketches and videos to compliment the collections.

I loved this video of the workroom at the Australian Ballet and the production of the Romeo & Juliet costumes - boiled sequins et al..

As with any textile display, for me, the garments aren't done any justice when they are placed behind glass panels as the lighting doesn't quiet capture the colour, workmanship or detail.  I would much prefer to have the outfits hung on a rail where I can run my fingers through the embellishment and take a closer look at the nimble work of artisans finishing garments designed by Giles Deacon, Akira Isogawa, Viktor & Rolf, Valentino and Collette Dinnigan - well wouldn't everyone I suppose!

Nevertheless there were a couple of standouts for me, - the costumes for Romeo & Juliet that Akira Isogawa designed, the tutu that Giles Deacon created for Natalie Portman in 'Black Swan' and the beautiful lacey tutu by Collette Dinigan that was designed for a project to unite the worlds of fashion and ballet in 2002 by the Australian Ballet.

The exhibition runs through to 19th May so if you're about, and fancy a close up of beautiful costumes, I do recommend a day at the Gallery...  (and besides the coffee downstairs is great!).

You can watch curator Richard Leong talk about putting the exhibit together here.

Amy Harris in Lady Capulet costume, photo Jo Duck

Christian Lacroix costume for Gaite Parisienne American Ballet 1988

Giles Deacon's outfit for Natalie Portman in 'Black Swan' - this was just gorgeous

Akira Isogawa outfits for Romeo & Juliet with beautiful embroidery details

The Akira outfits I think, were really current and quite wearable outside of the stage - what do you think?

I can't remember where this was from - but sure was stunning and sculptural!

Costume designs sketched by Yves St Laurent for
Les Forains a televised broadcast by Les Ballets de France, 1961 

A tutu designed by Collette Dinnigan for 'Tutu: Designing for Dance' project, 2003

A very wearable Akira Isogawa costume for Romeo & Juliet

I can see how some of these costumes are capable of crossing the divide into 'party wear' or 'evening wear' in my wardrobe... how about you?  (Well perhaps not the short tutu's.. unless I was channelling a Rosanna Arquette/Madonna/Cyndi Lauper early 80's vibe!)

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without a stop at the NGV bookshop and cafe downstairs... if only I could carry all these titles home with me!

The beautiful & hypnotizing glass water wall at the
entrance to the Gallery (looking out from within)

Next time: Dior & Yamamoto, The New Look

Images 1,2 via NGV

Images 3 to 8 me

In The Schedule

A long weekend this weekend, plenty of time to relax and do some gardening... or check out some of these links that I stumbled upon during this week...

+ Some gorgeous photos taken by Hedi Slimane himself during fittings for the recent Saint Laurent collection at the houses' headquarters in Paris.  Much talked about show, much talked about company logo, much talked about head designer - that's one way to stay in the public eye!  More lovely moody pics here via Style.

+ Aaah Monsiour Dior... a look at Christian Dior and the early years of the quintessential French design house in pictures.. via LifeStyled

+  More images of Chloe's current collection and an interview with current house designer Claire Waight Keller and what it means to be designing for this youthful 60year old French Label.  Images by Craig McDean for Interview Mag here.

+ A collaboration with Sergio Rossi and artist Peng Wei which sees the artist using her delicate technique on rice paper boots!  Not currently wearable (of course!), they would look absolutely gorgeous on an impromptu gallery wall or downlit shelf at home.  Of course, I don't know how that works if you are superstitious ...  you know,... can't put shoes or boots on a table (have you heard that one, or is that just me!?)  More images here via Because.

+ A while ago I went into Hermes to look at a scarf (I think it was a birthday)... anyway, I was dumbfounded by the array of colours and patterns on offer that I couldn't make a decision (but lets just say I didn't walk out empty handed...haha!)  How can one pick one beautiful thing over another?
Take a look at the process of screenprinting a stunning array of colourways onto a Hermes scarf, where some scarves have up to 49 different colours and try and decide for yourself!   Sure beats my art class screenprinting efforts... but hey, the process is still the same!  More beautiful hues here via Elle Decoration South Africa.

+ Speaking of creating, the author of Habitually Chic blog has just launched a new book, Habitually Chic at Work gaining access into the studios and ateliers of top designers, artists, editors, architects and showing us a glimpse into their creative domain.  The workplaces of Jenna Lyons, Peter Som, Chris Benz and Jonathan Adler to name a few are featured, with interviews giving the reader an insight on how they got there and what keeps them going.  A stylish inspiring read if ever I saw one.  More pictures here via NYMag.

Vogue Shoot

+  I think I'll have some time to take in this exhibition at the NGV that starts this weekend, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Australian Ballet.  "Ballet & Fashion" features designs by Australian & International designers, including Collette Dinnigan, Akira Isogawa, Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Viktor&Rolf and their costumes designed for ballet companies around the world, The Australian Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Nederlands Dans Theater, Sydney Dance Company and more.  There are events, movies, and drawing workshops too... from now until May 2013.  I'm really excited by this one... oh and they're showing one of my all time favourite movies, 'The Red Shoes' starring Moira Shearer and will also be screening, 'Valentino: The Last Emperor'!

The exhibition is sponsored by Vogue Australia and is really centred on the fashion and costumes.  Here's a look at the photo shoot for Vogue featuring Australian Ballet principle dancers - it's just gorgeous.


Have a great long weekend everyone... and I hope your horse comes in!