Stylecurated: Dance & Fashion @ FIT

Dance & Fashion exhibit space [photo by Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com]

Where ballet and Balenciaga unite, dancers float with matchless grace as ambassadors of both their craft and the clothes they display. Blurring the lines between classical and contemporary, movement adds a new dimension of elegance to an otherwise static application of creativity. In salute of dancewear and dance-inspired fashion, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology presents Dance & Fashion, a showcase of 100 pieces from the 19th century to the present curated by Valerie Steele, the Museum's Director. Open to the public until January 3, 2015, the comprehensive exhibit documents the evolution of the traditional ballet costume. Keep reading for the details and photos...

Valentino costume for Bal de Couture (Fall 2012) © The Museum at FIT / Christian Dior "Cygne Noir" FW 1949-1950 © The MET Source: Art Resource

An integrated arrangement of leotards, elaborate costumes and dance-inspired gowns focuses on the structured disciplines of ballet, modern dance and flamenco; social dance is excluded from scope. Albeit unexpected, familiar designers Olivier Theyskens, Prabal Gurung, Christian Lacroix and Iris van Herpen produced pieces for the New York City Ballet and are among the many represented. Without cages or separators, visitors can become acquainted with a costume by Christian Bérard for Symphonie Fantastique, pointe shoes worn by ballerina Anna Pavlova or the CDG "bump" dress by Rei Kawakubo of Commes des Garçons. A photo series by Anna Ray and a video installation featuring Wendy Whelan accompanies the well-rounded perspective. If you plan on visiting the exhibit, swing by the Fashion & Textiles Gallery to view Exposed: A History of Lingerie while you're there.