Kungliga Baletten
Red Velvet Bodice Leather Oak Leaf
Red Spanish
Pink Silk Bronze Trimmed Bodice
Russet Toned Silk and Bronzed Mantle
Burlap Skirt Metallic Embroidery
Silk Brocade and Metallic Embellished Coat
Mauve Embroidered Velvet Coat
Gustavian Coat
Blue Silk and Bronze Embroidery Vest
Cut Velvet Coat Silk Cuffs
Blue Stripe Courtly Coat
Indian Velvet Court Jacket Canary Cuffs
Indian Velvet Court Jacket Canary Silk
Metallic Woven Canary and Black Corset
Nureyev Bolero Jacket
Emerald Silk Toreador
This collection of photographs represents my collaboration with the Kungliga Baletten (The Royal Swedish Ballet) founded by King Gustav lll in 1773. Because it is one of the oldest ballet companies in Europe, its collection of costumes is very different. Many of the pieces are actually cast-off clothing from the aristocracy and royal family that would have been used as costumes by the Royal Opera, Theatre and Ballet.
It was the intricacy of the embroidery and styling details that were at odds with a garment meant to be viewed from some distance that prompted the conversation with the conservation specialist.