Ballet & Fashion at the NGV

Vanessa LEYONHJELM (designer): Justine Summers in Tutu and headdress 1994
Divergence, choreographed by Stanton Welch, The Australian Ballet, 1994
The Australian Ballet Collection, Melbourne
Photo: Jim McFarlane
 
Summer in Melbourne can only mean one thing – torrential downpours and freezing winds that creep up on its residents after they’ve been lulled into a sense of false security by a series of balmy days. So if you’re looking for a weekend activity that won’t be affected by the weather, and is free, yes FREE, you could do a lot worse than paying a trip to the NGV to see their Ballet & Fashion exhibition*. There’s a selection of costumes from all over the world and even if you’ve never seen a ballet in your life, the level of detail in these pieces is worth the trip (and there is a lot of DIY inspiration… although you’d have to be a pretty skilled DIYer to carry any of these off!).

Akira ISOGAWA (designer): Kevin Jackson in Costume for Romeo 2011
Romeo & Juliet, choreographed by Graeme Murphy, The Australian Ballet, 2011
The Australian Ballet Collection, Melbourne
Photo: Georges Antoni
For me, the most breathtaking pieces were the shibori shirt and moulded leather vest in this Romeo costume, but pay a visit and decide for yourself!

Akira ISOGAWA (designer): Dress 2005 (detail)
Grand, choreographed by Graeme Murphy, Sydney Dance Company, 2005
Arts Centre Melbourne, Performing Arts 
Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Akira ISOGAWA (designer) : Amy Harris in Costume for Lady Capulet 2011
Romeo & Juliet, choreographed by Graeme Murphy, The Australian Ballet, 2011  
The Australian Ballet Collection
© Akira Isogawa
Photo: Jo Duck, makeup courtesy Napoleon Perdis

 EASTON PEARSON (designers):  Tutu 2003
Tutu, parade choreographed by Adrian Burnett, The Australian Ballet, 2003
The Australian Ballet Collection, Melbourne
Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne  

VIKTOR&ROLF (designers): Gioconda Barbuto in Costume 2004
2 Lips and Dancers and Space 2004, directed by Robert Wilson, choreographed by Makram
Hamdam, Nederlands Dans Theater III, 2004 
Nederlands Dans Theater Collection, Maastricht
© Viktor&Rolf
Photo: Michael Slobodian 

*I reviewed this exhibition a while ago for the Review Local Stonnington, should you care to read it click here and flick through to page 17!

バレー、好きですか？私はあまり行ったことがないのですが、バレーの衣装が好きです。近くで見るのはもっと好きです。今、NGVでバレーとファッションの関係についての展覧会が行っているので、見にきました。ヴィクター&ロルフ、イソガワアキラなどのデザイナーとダンスカンパニーのコラボレーションでできた衣装の細かさがかなり印象的です。舞台で踊っているから、大胆な衣装でもいいと思いきや、実はすごく小さいところに力を入れています。一番上の写真はイソガワアキラのデザインですが、絞りの生地でできたシャツやプリーツされたレザーで感動しました。写真では見づらいものばかりなので、実際に行って自分の目で確かめてくださいね。5月まで行っているので余裕はまだまだありますよ！