Costume Collection
Below are just a few of the costumes that span several decades housed in the archive.
Marina Svetlova's Practice Tutu
Here is a Romantic-length practice tutu owned by famed ballerina Marina Svetlova. Ms. Svetlova made her professional debut as a child in 1931 in Paris with the legendary experimental troupe of Ida Rubinstein. From 1939 through 1941, she was a soloist with the Original Ballet Russe and danced on its10-month tour of Australia during the first months of World War II. Ms. Svetlova was guest artist with Ballet Theater (now American Ballet Theater) in 1943, shortly before she joined the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, where she was its ballerina from 1943 to 1950, often partnered by Leon Varkas. She danced with the New York City Opera and toured nationally and internationally with her own concert group from 1944 to 1969. She later earned a reputation as a major teacher and became a professor of ballet and chairwoman of the ballet department at Indiana University in Bloomington before her death in 2009.
*Below is Svetlova in a ADA archival photograph signed by Svetlova and partner Alexis Dolinoff*
*Below is Svetlova in a ADA archival photograph signed by Svetlova and partner Alexis Dolinoff*
Karinska Rooster Headpiece from Balanchine's Renard (1947)
Original headpiece from George Balanchine's ballet Renard (The Fox) which premiered in 1947 at the Hunter College Playhouse in NYC. NYCB dancer Lew Christensen was in the original cast dancing the part of the Rooster (his name can be seen on the Karinska label.)
*Lew Christensen and others from the original cast are pictured below. Lew is wearing this headpiece on the far left.*
*Lew Christensen and others from the original cast are pictured below. Lew is wearing this headpiece on the far left.*
1926 Pink Feather and Rhinestone Child's Tutu
Child's Costume
Most likely handmade. Very detailed with delicate pink feathers, black lace, and rhinestones.
*The young original owner pictured in the costume below*
Most likely handmade. Very detailed with delicate pink feathers, black lace, and rhinestones.
*The young original owner pictured in the costume below*
1960's Radio City Music Hall Tutu
Gold Lamé Tutu with Rhinestone adornments
Worn by ballerinas Sandra Balesti and Joyce Cuoco while dancing with the Radio City Music Hall's Corps de Ballet.
*Joyce Cuoco pictured in the costume below*
Worn by ballerinas Sandra Balesti and Joyce Cuoco while dancing with the Radio City Music Hall's Corps de Ballet.
*Joyce Cuoco pictured in the costume below*
1920's Romantic Ballet Costume
1920's ballet costume.
Found in an abandoned train car.
Found in an abandoned train car.
Moscow Ballet Sugar Plum Fairy Tutu c. 1970s
Sugar Plum Fairy pancake tutu from the Moscow Ballet during the 1970s.
Purchased from the daughter of the dancer who wore these while dancing in Russia.
Purchased from the daughter of the dancer who wore these while dancing in Russia.
Moscow Ballet Dewdrop Fairy Tutu c. 1970s
Dewdrop Fairy pancake tutu from the Moscow Ballet during the 1970s.
Purchased from the daughter of the dancer who wore these while dancing in Russia.
Purchased from the daughter of the dancer who wore these while dancing in Russia.
