Paris Opéra Ballet étoile Dorothée Gilbert. Photo by Kyle Froman for Pointe.
You might be used to throwing on a leotard, tights and warm-ups each day, but now it's summer, and your schedule is different. Whether you're trying to dress to impress for a day off at your intensive or you're packing for a much-needed vacation during your company's summer break, the idea of wearing "real clothes" can leave you feeling paralyzed. Never fear! We've pulled some of our favorite dancers' street styles from past issues of Pointe to give you the summer style inspiration that you're looking for.
When asked to describe her style, Adji Cissoko's answer is short and sweet. “I would say 'pink casual,' " she laughs. “I'm like the pink girl of the company. Everyone gives me pink things." When she shops for herself, she likes browsing thrift shops in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, or buying funky, colorful pieces from stores like Zara or Desigual. “I definitely find more when I'm not really looking for anything," she says. She brings the same sense of fun into the studio, often recycling old clothes—like a favorite pink button-down—into dancewear. As a taller dancer, she looks for pants with extra length, from brands like Lululemon. “They have warm-up pants that are long enough and fit well," she says, “and the material is great because when you plié they're not going to rip." The one time pink is off the table? “I used to wear pink tights for more classical rep and black tights if I was doing contemporary stuff," she says, “but now that my rep is always in the contemporary area, I feel like I never wear pink tights anymore."
Yuriko Kajiya and artists of Houston Ballet in Stanton Welch's Paquita. Amitava Sarkar, Courtesy HB.
Whether attacking a new role with gusto or finally finishing that book, dancers are a goal-oriented lot. The New Year is a natural time to reflect on one's life and put forth goals for the season ahead. Pointe spoke with six dancers about their big dreams for 2015—and their plans extend beyond the studio and stage.
