Dior's Maria Grazia Chiuri + Eleonora Abbagnato's Ballet Costumes For 'Nuit Blanche'

Eleonora Abbagnato and Friedmann Vogel partner in ‘Nuit Blanche’. Image courtesy of Dior.

Synergies between the worlds of fashion and ballet are intense, with Dior Creative Director of Dior Women Maria Grazia Chiuri crediting dance as a major source of inspiration for her designs. In collaboration with Eleonora Abbagnato—the Director of Ballet at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and an toile at the Opéra National in Paris—Chiuri’s creations are on stage in Rome from March 29 - April 2.

Her stunning collection of costumes for ‘Nuit Blanche’ a ballet in a series of three dances with choreography by Sébastien Bertaud is performed as an ode to composer and musician Philip Glass. Chiuri’s costumes for Abbagnato, principal guest dancer Friedmann Vogel and 16 dancers present a more contemporary examination of concepts of masculinity and femininity. Both genders are dressed in light and delicate, but highly-functional, materials.

“I’ve admired Eleonora Abbagnato’s work for years,” Chiuri explains. “She is an extraordinary artist who has worked hard to achieve her goals. She represents a great source of inspiration for a new generation of women. Her career, much like mine, was forged between Italy and France, which brings the two of us even closer together.

‘Nuit Blanche’ costumes and company. Image courtesy of Dior.

Vogue Italia presents an extensive interview with Chiuri by Valentina Bonelli, about the production of ‘Nuit Blanche’ costumes and the influence of ballet on her own spring collection.

In the S/S 2019 collection what inspired you with the dance iconography and the imaginary of the dancer? 
I was guided by those female figures who revolutionized the world of contemporary dance: from Loïe Fuller to Isadora Duncan, to Ruth St. Denis, Martha Graham and Pina Bausch. The force they transmit when they dance is a seismograph capable of catalyzing unknown emotions. Their experiments in dance are presented as actions of rupture, not only with the way of stereotyped dancing, but also with the female image. Engaging in choreography, changing its rules and giving life to contemporary dance, has allowed these extraordinary figures to demonstrate how women can express an authoritative and innovative artistic identity and creative ability.

‘Nuit Blanche’ costumes and company. Image courtesy of Dior.