The Ballet Russes and Fashion

Ballet was first made fashionable by the Ballet Russes of the 1920s – who were one of the most influential ballet companies of the 20^th century. Costumes designed by Bakst – a Russian scene painter and costume designer, he designed increasingly fashionable and colourful costumes for the company.

Diaghilev, the creative director of the Ballet Russes during their golden years first established the relationship between the art form and fashion by collaborating with artists, musicians and designers who were at the time popular such as Picasso, Matisse, Braque and Stravinsky. Which in turn has played major influence in designers of the modern day and age, Paul Poiret, Yves Saint Laurent and Galliano.

“The quality and novelty of productions made the Ballet Russes fashionable – so that leading composers and artists wanted to collaborate with the choreographers and dancers on the productions.” – Jane Pritchard

During the 2011 catwalk shows the ballet trend really took heed with the trend being impossible to miss. Delicate lace, ballet pump shoes and tutu shaped dresses stole the show, Erdem, David Koma and Richard Chai were just a few of the designers gaining influence from the art form of ballet.