It depends what I want the costume to do.
I use a lot of silks for their diaphanous
ethereal quality and the way it drapes on
the body. I love fabrics with interesting
textures. Comparisons have been made
between couture design and ballet
costume design. Do you see any areas of
overlap between the two fields? Yes there
are definite parallels. When we are first
creating a costume it is a unique design
made to measure for the dancer that will
be wearing it. The costumes are created by
a highly skilled team of costume artisans
using specific techniques and finishes.
How long can it take for you to complete
one costume?
Some of the more elaborate costumes can
take a week or more to make. A tutu can
take about 40 to 50 hours depending on
the degree of decoration.
Ballet costumes have to meet so many
practical needs: they must allow easy
movement, communicate the story of the
ballet, and suit the individual dancers.
How do you balance all of these needs to
dress a dancer?
In the fabrics you choose, the design, cut and
construction techniques. The style of the
costume needs to reflect the character and
the choreography the dancer is performing.
For the Romeo & Juliet balcony scene for
instance, you would choose a fabric that is
light and diaphanous, that moves well and
portrays her youthful innocent and alluring
beauty. Whilst for her father Lord Capulet
you would choose a heavier fabric that is
rich and solid maybe heavily embellished
that reflects his position and character of
tradition and authority.
Couture
What are your favourite textiles to use?