Recently I highlighted a new exhibition of designer Paul Smith’s portraits of Royal Ballet Principal dancers.
Here are all of the images in the collection – enjoy !
Lauren Cuthbertson. Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera
David Makhateli Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Roberta Marquez Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Steven McRae Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Laura Morera Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Marianela Nunez Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Rupert Pennefather Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Ivan Putrov Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Mara Galeazzi Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Johan Kobborg Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Thiago Soares Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Edward Watson Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Miyako Yoshida Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Tamara Rojo Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Leanne Benjamin Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Federico Bonelli Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Alina Cojocaru Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
Sarah Lamb Photograph : Paul Smith courtesy of the Royal Opera House
So, do you have a favourite ?
Do you like the way that the dancers are portrayed here or do you like to see dance poses ?
What about Paul Smith’s clothes ?
October 1, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Favourites:
Visual favourite – Tamara Rojo because of the strong black of the tutu, and the symmetry of her posture in releve highlighted by the very straight vertical of the foil (I presume from Romeo and Juliet?)
Best at flattering the dancer – Mara Galeazzi because the leather jacket and outfit look cool, hip and fit in with her pose
Favourite for being original – Alina Cojocaru because she is seldom photographed like this: looking relaxed, normal and just like your jolly best friend, not the athlete with the phenomenal dance technique. Look – not a single pointed foot nor extension in sight!
The guys’ photos were good too, but the most striking for me were those three.
October 2, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Interesting as he has great photography skills. The picture of Laura Morera is inspired and brilliant.
I also like Johan, Tamara and Roberta. I sort of like his clothes but equally not sure. Better put it is the aesthetics that work but different styling on some would lift it – the Sarah Lamb photo is awful and the skirt on Marianela is paired with the wrong top – in my opinion!! xx
October 2, 2010 at 4:23 pm
May – I agree with you about Alina. I think it’s my favourite of all of them. I was fairly underwhelmed by them, to be honest. Mara looks the most natural. You were right to correct my earlier post when I said that Paul Smith was a menswear designer, but when I see the ladieswear clothes on display here – I think I know why !
Make Do Style – thank you ! Your opinion is always greatly anticipated ! Apparently the dancers had the choice of a rail of clothes – so I’m not sure who is responsible for the mis-matched items ! And I too found the images very flat – where is the life, the spark, the physicality of the dancers ? And why make Sarah Lamb look like a bus conductor ?