|
CANDICE THOMPSON |
Recently, I have been working on some ivory long unitards for Morphoses. I am not the costume designer, I am just assisting in putting some of the construction together as there is not a formal costume shop. So what I mean to say is, they will be more than just ivory unitards. This is just the base from which the costume will be built on.
But looking at yards and yards of beautiful ivory fabric on my cutting table got me to thinking about the ambivalent nature of the relationship us dancers have with this seemingly simple material. Ballet in general, is white. There are the “white” ballets. Often white is the first color of leotard any child is required to wear. Princes must wear white tights! We should be so used to it and so comfortable with our signature color…….so why does it often inspire such dread?
Obviously, there are the issues of body and presentation. The fear it will make us look bigger. But white, while unforgiving, can be slimming in its own simplicity of so clearly showing line and definition. How do you feel about wearing it? Are you one of those dancers who is more comfortable in nude than white? If you have been wearing it forever, do you still sigh and think about it before putting on those white tights or that Apollo dress?
I would love to know and also set the record straight as I see it. Ballet uses white (and ivory) often for a reason: it looks beautiful onstage and in general, really does flatter all. So embrace it if you get the chance!
