Location: Houston Ballet Center For Dance

I have done two previous postings about the Houston Ballet wardrobe department preparing for the upcoming full-length ballet Romeo & Juliet.  There is no doubt that fashion plays a huge role in a ballet. I was previously given a sneak peek of the beautiful leathers, velvets and silks being used to make the over 350 costumes for this epic event and have now been given a sneak peek at some of the final outcomes.   Roman leather company,D’Alessio Galliano, where all the exquisite leathers were purchased is also used frequently by Hollywood moviemakers for costumes.  Well, now the Romeo & Juliet costumes are being finalized and renowned Italian designer, Roberta Guidi Di Bagno, has been in Houston (from Rome) for about 6 weeks leading up to opening night on Thurs. Feb. 26th.  She has been working on this production for two years and is now here working closely with Houston Ballet Wardrobe Manager, Laura Lynch.  The costumes are even more beautiful than imagined. The detail and thought put into this production is mind-boggling. In addition, Roberta is the set designer. All the sets were built in Italy and were sent over here in 4 large shipping containers. whew!

There are 3 main families in this story and each family will be distinguishable by their own color palettes. Rich coppers, deep reds and beautiful blues will grace the stage. All costumes for the ladies were made for them to be on pointe. Each costume is individualized and every character in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet will be represented on stage in this ballet – 68 characters and over 350 costumes. Backstage for each performance will provide 11 dressers, 2 supervisors and a laundry person.

Roberta Guidi Di Bagno has been designing costumes and sets for ballets and operas throughout the world for many years.  Some of her clients include La Scala, English National Ballet, Pacific NW Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and many other opera and ballet companies in Italy and Europe. She laughs that she has learned “what not to do” when it comes to costumes  that are going to worn by very mobile dancers.

Well, I could go on and on….I’m so excited to sit in the audience opening night (runs Feb. 26-Mar. 8  ) and take in all this talent and splendor gracing our Houston stage.