The Ballet Russe - Leon Bakst Costumes
Thursday, 30 September 2010Posted in: History, Out and about, Things we love
Leon Bakst (1866-1924) best known as the leading stage designer for the Ballet Russes and his collaboration with Serge Diaghilev.
I first became inspired by Bakst’s work during my art foundation when I went to Paris with my Mum and we saw the Ballet Russes, Leon Baskt’s costume exhibition in the Opera House in the early 1990’s. I then went on to see the ballet Scheherazade by the Ballet Russes in London were they recreated the Bakst sets and customes, it was a awesome mix of colours and patterns. This ballet was first staged in 1910 which created a sensation and started a fashion imitated by dressmakers and interior designers.
His use of simple geometric pattern and use of colour has inspired me in my use of pattern and colour ever since. He was stressing the unique effect of raw colour and movement.
‘Every subject, every model, every part of the human body, that is designed without passion, without the joy of life, is a work utterly barren and false. Colour should afford a joy for the eye.’ Leon Bakst.
His use of simple geometric patterns, colour and texture and real passion to create something really special and inspiring to the eye has stayed with me in my creation of patterns and my use of texture and colour to create fabrics and wallpaper that really enhance a space and create a beautiful lasting interior for the people that use my product. I love mixing patterns and textures to create interiors that are also a joy to the eye.
