| THE CONCEPT BALLET COSTUME INDEX | SPECIAL PROJECTS HOME | |||||
| I've
started sketching concept ballet costumes that are designed around 3 chief
elements: the corset, ruched tulle, and the mutation of the leotard. The
leotard is always the base, the foundation and the building block. The construction
of the seams are sewn to the outside. I am essentially using the corsets
as waist cinchers that are boned and laced, giving a nod to the classical
corseted tutu, but done with a modern sensibility.
These sketches were done in my Moleskine sketchbook using a fountain pen and a marker. Please click ballet number or thumbnail to the right to see the entire series of drawings. |
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| BALLET- 01 | These costumes were the first that I did using all of the elements that I mentioned above: the corset, ruched tulle and the leotard. I also wanted to sew all the seams to the exterior to almost mimic the appearance of flames or fire. Each corsets has it own construction and seaming. Many have D-rings at the waist or as trim. |  |
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| BALLET- 02 | As with them all, this concept builds upon the group prior. In this ballet I make a modernist take on the classical tutu silhouette. I'm using the ruched tulle in a way that mimics the shape of the tutu skirt. The feeling is also slightly Elizabethan. |  |
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| BALLET- 03 | This ballet is based around layers and layers of tulle ruffles. It is a more feminine and organic, verses the structure of the others prior. |  |
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| BALLET- 04 | The costumes in this
ballet are based on the paintings of Lucas Cranach the Elder (German, 1472–1553). The costumes in his paintings are rich and highly textured, and appear quite modern as a concept today. I had the great fortune of seeing a major exhibition of his work at the Royal Academy of Arts this year. |
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| BALLET- 05 | The costumes for this ballet were again based on the modified tutu and leotard. However, in this one, I've created a round, pleated and shortened version of the tutu for the bottom, but playing with various ruched and grosgrain applied chevron effects for the tops. The corset or waist cincher is zipped up the front with supporting chevron panels laid and stitched on top. |  |
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