"Ballet Russes " by August Macke, 1912.
Unknown artist.
Erte.
The Ballet Russes performed from 1909 to 1929, all around the world, under the directorship of Sergei Diaghilev. The company's costumes invited an endless list of artists and designers such as Braque, Gontcharova, Larionov, Picasso, Chanel, Matisse, Derain, Miró, de Chirico, Dalí, Bilibin, Tchelitchev, Utrillo, Nicholas Roerich and Rouault. Their designs contributed to the groundbreaking excitement of their productions. Léon Bakst, however, was artistic director for the costumes and created some amazing artwork throughout is prime from 1909 until 1921.
Illustrations by Léon Bakst.
The Ballet Russe's costumes had a very large influence on the fashion industry throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Yves Saint Laurent's 1976 "Ballet Russes" inspired collection,
illustrated by Kenneth Paul Block.
Karlie Kloss, in Alexander McQueen, inspired by The Ballet Russe.
Photographed by the lovely Tim Walker for British VOGUE.
One of many design books on the history, vast techniques and inspirations for the
costumes of The Ballet Russe. You can buy it here.
My first Visual Art assignment at school, in the steps to my Year 12 art exam :|,
I am to create a costume inspired by the patterns of The Ballet Russe, including all of the artists who were involved with the marvellous producions [as listed above].
But, there is a catch; we can only use paper, like one Isabelle de Borchgrave.
Should be interesting..
XXX
