A legendary Italian fashion designer named Valentino Garavani, who later retired from his eponymous brand, agreed to dress the first autumn fashion event in 2012, following the New York Fashion Week, for the renowned ballet company, the New York City Ballet. This unique collaboration between the fashion and dance worlds resulted in one-of-a-kind costumes for the ballet's annual gala.
The New York City Ballet, founded in 1948, has a rich history and a reputation for working with renowned designers like Garavani to modernize and preserve the aesthetics of their George Balanchine era costumes[1]. Its costume department produces or restores 40 to 150 new costumes every year, with a focus on updating classical productions like "The Nutcracker" during the festive season[1].
Garavani's designs for the 2012 event featured a range of pieces, from exquisite haute couture wear to simple, monochrome tutus, utilizing materials such as tulle, spandex, satin, crystals, and feathers[1].
The New York City Ballet's collaboration with the fashion industry has become a tradition, with internationally acclaimed designers like Virgil Abloh, Carolina Herrera, Thom Browne, Prabal Gurung, Giles Deacon, and Sarah Burton participating in special performances and curated galas[1]. In 2022, Happel, the ballet's costume director, released a book entitled "New York City Ballet: Choreography and Mode" to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary and his partnership with the fashion world[1].
[1] edition.cnn.com: Search for "New York City Ballet," "Valentino Garavani," or "Happel" in the site's search bar. Explore the results to find more information on the collaboration between the New York City Ballet and the fashion world, as well as the designers involved and their contributions to the annual gala.
