Art for the Dance: Russian Costume and Stage Designs July 2, 2008

Russian theatrical design flourished at the end of the 19th century, but acquired international scope and recognition with the Ballets Russes at the beginning of the 20th century. The Ballets Russes, an enterprise launched by impresario Sergei Diaghilev in 1909 in Paris, became a true revelation for the Western public. Exotic themes, bright colors, daring decorations, splendid costumes and powerful choreography provoked a revolution in taste and fashion, not only affecting the theater but also the era's general lifestyle.