The Japanese are well-known for their quirky and unique fashion sense. When in Tokyo, fashionista types head straight to the Harajuku area for inspiration, but in truth ideas for one’s lookbooks can be found anywhere in town, including ballet outings. At the Royal Opera House in London clothes typically range anywhere from the ultra formal (cocktail dresses and even the odd gown) to the downright casual (Birkenstock and bermudas), heading into more inventive territory when Wayne McGregor audiences are in the house. Given the relaxed atmosphere at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan we wanted to know how ballet fashions would play out. Despite the lack of a strict dress code and a consistent informal approach (perhaps as a direct response to the unrelenting muggy summer) we saw plenty of creativity this side of the curtain.
We approached audience members and asked them to pose for us, giving the shy and more reserved the option of using a picture of their favourite Royal Ballet Dancer as prop. We had to give up documenting male fashions altogether. Men were difficult to talk to and more reluctant to have their picture taken. But we promise you there were plenty of guys at the ballet and that in summer they favor trousers and polo shirts. Oh yes, and bermudas too.
So how about the girls?
The warm humid weather called for frilly skirts or light summer dresses as worn here by our friend Naomi who blogs over at La Dolce Vita
A familiar face in Tokyo? Our friend Virna showing support for her (entire) home team!
We saw plenty of sandals and peep toes, often worn with stirrup tights such as in this lovely flowery combo
Despite Lola’s recent rant gladiator sandals are still fashionable here and very appropriate for Tokyo’s summer too. We loved Ina’s Goyard bag, a very stylish touch
We adore Kyoko’s cinched waist look. Wait is that a Daisy Duck hanging from her bag? Kawaii!
We saw plenty of cool Tabio socks and leggings
Big bags come in handy for toting around all the tour memorabilia available at the merch stands
Simple and chic with a dash of quirk, we love Yuka’s look
… and just look at all these fabulous handbags
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Linda
Indeed, Kimonos are lovely and outside the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, down in Ueno park, I managed to see many ladies donning Yukatas (summer kimonos), all in beautiful colours and prints. However, in this particular performance, I didn’t see any women wearing one inside…
Katherine Barber
What I love about audience-watching at Japanese ballet performances is that there is sure to be at least one woman wearing a traditional kimono. Kimonos are works of art in themselves, and well worth a visit to any of the big department stores’ kimono sections just to admire the beautiful colours and designs.