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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 18 February 2020
New exhibit examines ballet’s lasting influence on fashion

NEW YORK (AP) — A crown- to the present time. “Black Swan,” the 2010 film
ing jewel of the new exhibit The exhibit features 90 that won Natalie Portman
at the Fashion Institute of items, including ballet cos- an Oscar, and partly due
Technology is a feathered tumes, couture gowns and to the use of social media
white tutu. It may look, to athletic wear, or what we by dancers to connect with
the untrained eye, like any today call “athleisure.” Ball- audiences. Some danc-
ballet costume. It is, how- gowns or party dresses from ers have become familiar
ever, anything but. top labels like Dior, Chanel cultural figures (none more
Worn by the iconic Russian and Lanvin are displayed than Misty Copeland, for
ballerina Anna Pavlova in along with the ballet cos- example, who has crossed
her most famous role, the tumes that inspired them. over into mainstream star-
Dying Swan, the tutu con- To Patricia Mears, curator dom.)
tains 1,537 feathers. Cu- of the exhibit and deputy And fashion has played a
rators at the Museum at director of the Museum at role in the phenomenon,
FIT know this because the FIT, ballet’s influence is “ev- argues Mears: “The collab-
feathers had to be count- erywhere.” “So (if) you’re oration between high-end
ed to get the tutu through looking at a formal gown designers and ballet com-
the permit process to ar- made out of silk tulle that is panies has been a really im-
rive in the United States, covered with spangles and portant force in making this
from Britain. At FIT, the tutu has a satin bodice, imme- change as well.” The most
resides in its own alarmed diately you think of a bal- obvious example: New
case with 37 screws keep- lerina’s tutu,” Mears says. York City Ballet, which has
ing it safe and secure. ”If you look at the flat ballet contributed nine costumes
The launch this week of slipper, millions of women to the exhibit, including the
“Ballerina: Fashion’s Mod- wear that kind of shoe to- late costume designer Kar-
ern Muse” was timed to day. And then the leotard, inska’s famous tutus from
coincide with New York the leggings ... all these “Jewels” by George Bal-
Fashion Week, taking ad- things have found their anchine, and a 2012 cos-
vantage of all the editors way into fashion. It’s ubiqui- tume for “Symphony in C”
in town. But the connection tous.” While ballet’s popu- by current NYCB costume
is more than logistical: The larity dipped somewhat at director Marc Happel. The
exhibit argues that ballet the end of the 20th cen- company’s annual fall
has had a major influence tury, Mears feels it’s gained fashion gala brings in not-
on fashion both high-end considerable ground over This photo provided by The Museum at FIT shows the “Dying ed designers to create cos-
and casual, starting in the the past decade, partly Swan” tutu, head piece, and pointe shoes worn by iconic Rus- tumes for new ballets every
early 20th century and up due to the popularity of sian ballerina Anna Pavlova, that are part of the new exhibit at year.q
the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

He's still standing: Elton John to finish Down Under tour

WELLINGTON, New Zea- land concert early last reported that John told
land (AP) — Elton John in- night," the promoters said the crowd he was ill but
tends to play his remaining in their statement. that he didn't want to miss
shows in New Zealand and The concert was part of the show. He slumped on a
Australia, his tour promot- John's Farewell Yellow stool and required medical
ers said Monday, a day af- Brick Road tour. As well as attention after performing
ter illness caused the singer the delayed performance "Someone Saved My Life
to lose his voice and cut on Wednesday, John is Tonight," but recovered
short a performance. scheduled to play again in and continued to play,
Video clips posted online Auckland on Thursday and the newspaper reported.
by fans at Sunday night's then seven performances Later, as he he attempted
performance showed in Australia before travel- to sing "Daniel," he realized
John breaking down in ing to the U.S. and Cana- he had no voice left and
tears as he told the cheer- da. was escorted off stage.
ing crowd he couldn't He thanked the concert at- John had just returned to
go on any longer. The tendees via an Instagram New Zealand after per-
72-year-old singer said he post and apologized for FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2020 file photo, Elton John arrives at the 77th forming at the Academy
had walking pneumonia ending the show early. annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Bev- Awards in Los Angeles.
and was assisted off stage. "I want to thank everyone erly Hills, Calif. Associated Press He won an Oscar for best
Tour promoters Chugg who attended tonight's gig original song for his theme
Entertainment said John in Auckland. I was diag- New Zealand Prime Min- the stage last night, which song for the movie "Rock-
was resting and doctors nosed with walking pneu- ister Jacinda Ardern said I think is just a credit to his etman." According to the
were confident he would monia earlier today, but she watched the show commitment to his fans." Mayo Clinic, walking pneu-
recover. They said a con- I was determined to give and got to meet John for Ardern said the pair dis- monia is an informal term
cert planned for Tuesday you the best show human- about five minutes before cussed politics and how for a milder form of pneu-
in Auckland would be de- ly possible," John wrote. "I he started playing. her toddler daughter Neve monia that isn't severe
layed until Wednesday on played and sang my heart "You could tell that he loves to dance to his mu- enough to require hospi-
the advice of doctors. out, until my voice could wasn't feeling well and sic. John has previously ex- talization or bed rest. It af-
"Elton John was disap- sing no more. I'm disap- he said he wasn't feeling pressed his admiration for fects the respiratory tract
pointed and deeply upset pointed, deeply upset and well," Ardern said. "So I the New Zealand leader. and is most often caused
at having to end his Auck- sorry. I gave it all I had." think you could see that on The New Zealand Herald by bacteria. q