As the summer weeks begin to dwindle (sigh), let’s throwback to Le Train Bleu. This adorable ballet was created for Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes by a superstar team: choreography by Bronislava Nijinska (Vaslav Nijinsky’s underrated sister), music by Darius Milhaud, libretto by Jean Cocteau, curtain by Pablo Picasso, set design by Henri Laurens, and costumes by Coco Chanel. Yes, you read that correctly.
I mean seriously, look at these fabulous bathing costumes by Coco herself. The hand-knit outfits alone are worth a trip to the National Museum of Art (where they are currently on display).
Coco Chanel, French, 1883–1971, Costumes for La Perlouse and a Gigolo from The Blue Train, 1924, knitted wool and wool, V&A, London © Victoria and Albert Museum, London via National Gallery of Art
And if that’s not enough to peak your interest, take a gander at this front cloth for the ballet by Picasso.
Needless to say, the exhibit at the National Gallery, “Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes, 1909-1929: When Art Danced with Music” is a must see. But more to come on that later. For now, why don’t you sit back and enjoy this Dd Throwback Thursday video of Le Train Bleu performed by the Paris Opera Ballet in 2005.
