Not currently on display at the V&A

Kimono

ca. 1965
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Costume for the leading male dancer. 'Ceremonial' kimono of off-white crystal organza, mid thigh length in front, with long train at the back. Wide cross-over neckline. The edges of the sleeves and train outlined by a bold crin tube. Along the shoulders are cream silk epaulettes which end at the outer edge in multiple-looped bows studded with small brilliants. The cross-over of the tunic is decorated with a bold ivory passementerie border, finished at the left shoulder with a diamante studded ivory silk flower. At either side of the tunic are inserted wide panels of sunray-pleated ivory silk and the front is bordered with ivory silk furnishing braid.


Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
'Ceremonial' kimono for the leading male dancer in 'Bugaku', New York City Ballet, ca. 1965.
Physical description
Costume for the leading male dancer. 'Ceremonial' kimono of off-white crystal organza, mid thigh length in front, with long train at the back. Wide cross-over neckline. The edges of the sleeves and train outlined by a bold crin tube. Along the shoulders are cream silk epaulettes which end at the outer edge in multiple-looped bows studded with small brilliants. The cross-over of the tunic is decorated with a bold ivory passementerie border, finished at the left shoulder with a diamante studded ivory silk flower. At either side of the tunic are inserted wide panels of sunray-pleated ivory silk and the front is bordered with ivory silk furnishing braid.
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Given by Cecil Beaton
Object history
'Ceremonial' kimono for the leading male dancer in George Balanchine's ballet Bugaku. The ballet, with music by Toshiro Mayuzumi, was first performed by the New York City Ballet at the City Center of Music and Drama, New York on 20th March 1963. The scenery was designed by David Hays and the costumes were designed by Karinska. Allegra Kent and Edward Villella created the leading roles.

The work has also entered the repertoires of other ballet companies, including the San Francisco Ballet and The Royal Ballet.

The costume was given by the designer to Cecil Beaton, who gave it to the museum for inclusion in the Cecil Beaton Collection. Along with other Bugaku costumes given by Karinska, it was transferred to the collections of the V&A Theatre Museum in 1975.
Production
Reason For Production: Commission
Association
Literary referenceBugaku
Bibliographic references
  • Strong, Roy, Ivor Guest, Richard Buckle, Sarah C. Woodcock and Philip Dyer, Spotlight: four centuries of ballet costume, a tribute to the Royal Ballet, London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1981.
  • New York City Ballet by Peter Williams, John Percival, and Noel Goodwin. Article in 'Dance & Dancers', London, June 1963, pp. 16-19.
Collection
Accession number
S.390D-1985

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Record createdSeptember 23, 2004
Record URL
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