The only thing currently more exciting than Paris Fashion Week? The New York City Ballet’s opening gala. Tonight, dancers will take center stage in costumes designed by Carolina Herrera, Thom Browne, Mary Katrantzou, and Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

Image via style.com

The idea was brought to life by Sarah Jessica Parker, the ballet’s vice chairman. SJP thought that the NYCB could play off fashion week excitement by pairing each designer with a choreographer to create custom ensembles for the gala. “The fashion designers approach us with what they envision the costume will be in the best-of-all-possibilities world,” Marc Happel, the ballet’s costume director, explained to racked.com.

The trickiest part? These costumes couldn’t just be dreamy – they also needed to perform. “We had to make sure there were no restrictions in the [dancers’] movement, which is not something a designer is used to doing,” Mary Katrantzou explained to style.com. “It all came down to the physicality of the dancers and making sure it really was like a second skin for them.”

Each designer remained true to their artistic roots. Carolina Herrera created a feminine chiffon dress with sequins from her own studio. Thom Browne played off his trademark suiting. Sarah Burton went with dramatic, embroidered gowns and jackets. And as shown above, Mary Katrantzou designed nude lace-appliquéd leotards, reminiscent of her recent collection. 

The New York City Ballet and couture costumes? Those ballerina dreams just got even more real.

See all the looks at style.com.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

Which designer’s costume creation is your favorite? Tweet us at @ruelala.

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