The Lure of Perfection

THE LURE OF PERFECTION: FASHION AND BALLET, 1780-1830 offers a unique look at how ballet influenced contemporary fashion and women's body image, and how street fashions in turn were reflected by the costumes worn by ballet dancers. Through years of research, the author has traced the interplay between fashion, social trends, and the development of dance. During the 18th century, women literally took up twice as much space as men; their billowing dresses ballooned out from their figures, sometimes a full 55 inches, to display costly jewelry and fine brocade work; similar costumes appeared on stage. But clothing also limited her movement; it literally disabled them, making the dances themselves little more than tableaux. Movement was further inhibited by high shoes and tight corsets; thus the image of the rigidly straight, long-lined dancer is as much a product of clothing as aesthetics. However, with changing times came new trends. An increased interest in natural movement and the common folk led to less-restrictive clothing. As viewers demanded more virtuosic dancers, women literally danced their way to freedom.
THE LURE OF PERFECTION will interest students of dance and cultural history, and women's studies. It is a fascinating, well-researched look at the interplay of fashion, dance, and culture-still very much a part of our world today.

Judith Chazin-Bennahum is Chair of the Dept of Theatre and Dance at the University of New Mexico. She is a past president of the Society of Dance History Scholars, and has authored and edited several books on dance history. She began her career as a performing dancer, dancing in companies headed by Antony Tudor, Pearl Lang, and Alexandra Danilova, and was invited by George Balanchine to perform with the New York City Ballet on their first Russian tour.

Acknowledgements Preface by Violette Verdy Introduction Chapter One-Setting the Stage: Aristocratic Fashion and Baroque Body Politics before the Revolution. Chapter Two-Reformers and Philosophes as Fore-Runners of the Revolution in Fashion. Chapter Three-The Moderate and the Outrageous Chapter Four-Neoclassicism: 1780-1820 Chapter Five-The Consulate (1799-1804) and The Empire (1804-1815) of Napoleon. Imperial Designs pervade Street and Stage Fashion. Chapter Six-Restoration-One Bourbon Returns! Louis XVIII and The Restoration (1815-1824). Chapter Seven-Pale Goddesses on the Street During the Romantic Movement: Charles X ruled France from 1824-1830. Chapter Eight-The Kingdom of the Opera: Pale Goddesses on the Stage (1824-1830) Chapter Nine-The Turning Point: The Ballet of the Nuns, and La Sylphide. Chapter Ten-The Dark Side of White Conclusion Chronology Sources and Bibliography