London-based Greek-born fashion designer Mary Katrantzou showcased her new ballet costumes at the New York City Ballet’s annual fall gala. It was a special addition to the annual gala— a top fundraiser for New York City’s fundraising and socialite scene.
Sarah Jessica Parker (who wore a Katrantzou gown to the benefit), is the New York City Ballet board vice chairperson. She came up with the idea to have each participating designer team up with a choreographer to develop custom ensembles for the opening gala.
Ms. Katrantzou was one of the four designers—including Carolina Herrera, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Thom Browne—signed on to create costumes for the evening’s performances. She partnered with Justin Peck, the Ballet’s newly appointed resident choreographer, for his work, “Belles-Lettres,” set to an untitled piano piece by César Franck.
“There was a subtlety to the music that made me feel that subtlety should be in the costumes,” she said.
Taking notes from her resort 2015 collection, she thought of constructing an outfit that acts as a second skin to the dancers. The final creation consists of nude dresses with a light and airy tulle skirt for the women and bodysuits for the men, both decorated with lace appliqués in the shape of various letters.
Mary Katrantzou was born in Athens in 1983, to an interior designer mother and a father who worked in textile design. Having developed an appreciation of applied design from an early age, she moved to America to study for a BA in Architecture at the Rhode Island school of design, before transferring to Central Saint Martins to complete her BA degree in textile design.
Her unique clothing styles are favorites amongst celebrities, who wear her colorful pieces on red carpets and to high profile premieres. In North America, Katrantzou’s clothing is available at various fine stores, including The Room Hudson Bay, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.
