Les Sylphides
Theatre Costume
1960-1969 (made)
1960-1969 (made)
| Artist/Maker |
Costume worn by Margot Fonteyn in Les Sylphides. Fonteyn danced various solos in Michel Fokine's ballet throughout her career. This costume probably dates from the 1960s.
Fokine's evocation of the Romantic Ballet era in Les Sylphides is one of the seminal ballets of the 20th century. The museum has other examples of Sylphides costumes, one dating from ca 1916 worn by Lydia Lopokova (S.874-1980), and one from the 1940s/1950s worn by Alicia Markova (S.659-1983). These examples show how the silhouette and style changed over 50 years, from the relatively heavy and 'coarse' dress of 1910s to the more delicate fabrics of the 1960s.
Fokine's evocation of the Romantic Ballet era in Les Sylphides is one of the seminal ballets of the 20th century. The museum has other examples of Sylphides costumes, one dating from ca 1916 worn by Lydia Lopokova (S.874-1980), and one from the 1940s/1950s worn by Alicia Markova (S.659-1983). These examples show how the silhouette and style changed over 50 years, from the relatively heavy and 'coarse' dress of 1910s to the more delicate fabrics of the 1960s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Les Sylphides (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Synthetic satin, artificial silk, tulle and wire |
| Brief description | Costume worn by Margot Fonteyn in Les Sylphides, probably in the 1960s |
| Physical description | Romantic ballet tutu in 'sylphide' style, the low-cut fitted bodice of synthetic ivory satin lined with artificial silk, with cap sleeves of white net edged with synthetic ivory satin, the calf-length skirt of layers of fine white net. Attached at the back at centre waist is a pair of small stiffened net wings. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Mikhail Fokine’s 1909 Les Sylphides, featuring spirits of the air who dance to Chopin’s music, has become one of the best-loved romantic ballets. It inspired Fonteyn while she was a student and she performed it throughout her career. This romantic tutu with small wings is a later version. Dance partner Nureyev found that larger wings got in the way.(26/10/2020) |
| Credit line | Purchased with the assistance of www.sherringtons.co.uk and the Friends of Margot Fonteyn Appeal |
| Object history | Purchased as Lot 194/5 in the Christies Sale of Fonteyn Material on 12 December 2000. |
| Summary | Costume worn by Margot Fonteyn in Les Sylphides. Fonteyn danced various solos in Michel Fokine's ballet throughout her career. This costume probably dates from the 1960s. Fokine's evocation of the Romantic Ballet era in Les Sylphides is one of the seminal ballets of the 20th century. The museum has other examples of Sylphides costumes, one dating from ca 1916 worn by Lydia Lopokova (S.874-1980), and one from the 1940s/1950s worn by Alicia Markova (S.659-1983). These examples show how the silhouette and style changed over 50 years, from the relatively heavy and 'coarse' dress of 1910s to the more delicate fabrics of the 1960s. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.305-2001 |
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| Record created | April 12, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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