Cristóbal Balenciaga for Hattie Carnegie, pink silk tulle and satin evening dress with silver metal embroidery, 1950. Lent by Beverley Birks. © The Museum at FIT
Cristóbal Balenciaga for Hattie Carnegie, pink silk tulle and satin evening dress with silver metal embroidery, 1950. Lent by Beverley Birks. © The Museum at FIT
Pierre Balmain, pink and off-white evening dress with coq feathers, 1949. The Museum at FIT, Gift of Barbara Louis. © The Museum at FIT
a) How do the textiles of this garment help show it is inspired by the Ballerina theme?
It informs the onlooker by highlighting or extenuating some body parts. In this case most of the textiles and garments are light towards the bottom of the clothing as it will be the most appropriate for the different movements that are usually focused on the lower part of the body. It’s typically made out of 5-12 layers of tulle fabric. Furthermore I think the transparency of the fabric allows the viewer a deeper look into the art of ballet because since the footwork is highlighted.
b) How does the garment’s ornamentation show it is inspired by the Ballerina theme?
The ornamentation of most of the dresses that were displayed showcased inspiration from the idea of femininity and purity since flowers and floral prints seem to always be a common theme in the ornamentation. Furthermore I think youth is also always highlighted in the ornamentation since childlike shapes such as stars or different colors that resemble the idea of youth.
c) How does the garment’s silhouette /shape show it is inspired by the Ballerina theme?
The shape and garments also highlight the movement of a ballerina and work to aid her movement since it provides the legs a lot of room for movement. Furthermore I do think it describes how women were specialized at the time since it shows how women were viewed as a form of entertainment at the time.
d) How does the garment ’s color help show it is inspired by the Ballerina theme?
The colors always seem to focus on the idea of femininity and softness.
