Designers reinterpret the tutu for ENB

Erdem, Giles and Roksanda Ilincic have brought their creative visions to bear on the ballet tutu, creating fashion-inflected versions of the classic performance costume for the English National Ballet.

By ELLE UK and NonePublished: 23 June 2011

Unknown

ENB dancer Kerry Birkett modelled Erdems design, a white silk tutu with dramatic black lace appliqués.

Its very different than tutus I would wear onstage, Birkett said. Normally they would sit very low and tight on the waist, and this is almost empire line. But beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Im not sure how much dancing I could do, but I feel amazing wearing it.

All of the designers involved took different approaches. Kinder Aggugini created a floral-embellished tutu with a t-shirt top, while the revived House of Worth created a pale aquamarine confection as dreamy that of a jewel-box ballerina. Moschino, Julien Macdonald, Agent Provocateur, Christian Louboutin and Beatrix Ong also created pieces for the collaboration.

Birkett, who added that ticket sales to ENB performances soared after the release of Black Swan (I even overheard some members of the public calling the box office and asking when Natalie Portmans show was, she said), will model Erdems tutu alongside fellow dancers at the ENBs summer party at The Orangery in Kensington Palace next Wednesday.

The designer creations are to be sold in a silent auction to support ENBs operations, with email bids accepted until 27 June.

Check out a video of the dancers wearing their desi

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below