Reiss links with Royal Ballet on 60-piece collection

Reiss has launched some interesting collabs in recent periods but its latest is perhaps the most unusual. The premium retailer has linked up with The Royal Ballet in an exclusive partnership “inspired by the artistry, grace and costumes” of the elite dance organisation.

It blends Reiss’s “modern design aesthetic with the world-class language of movement, dance and performances seen on the Royal Ballet and Opera’s stages”.

And it’s a pretty extensive offer. There are 60 pieces in total and they’ll also help support the work and artistry of The Royal Ballet, with 10% of the sales being donated to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation.

So what have they come up with? Inspired by The Royal Ballet’s classical repertoire, the collection is presented in four distinct capsules, cover clothes from “streetwear to studio, and performance, to celebratory after-party, with special glimpses behind the scenes of a day in the life of a ballet dancer”.

Offering “an intimate, cinematic glimpse into the world of two Royal Ballet dancers, Marianna Tsembenhoi and Francisco Serrano, the collection captures the quiet rituals and electric anticipation that shape their day”.

The Reiss design team has created “graceful silhouettes, fabrics that echo the lightness of a pirouette, and details imbued with the poise and precision of a Royal Ballet performance”.

The ballet link comes through clearly in design details including tutu-inspired tulle skirts, corsetry lacing and boning, satin ballet shoe-inspired ribbon details and luxe jersey pieces. The colour palette also features muted shades of ballet pink, blush and ivory sitting alongside mink, charcoal and black hues, accented with occasional pops of scarlet “in reference to the Royal Opera House”.

While it’s mainly focused on womenswear, there are also smaller capsules of men’s, girls’ and boys’ pieces. Menswear includes “elevated” hoodies, T-shirts and joggers adorned with The Royal Ballet logo, plus a grosgrain tuxedo jacket with coordinating moiré taffeta trousers (the kind of tux someone would wear when attending a performance). 

The girls’ collection includes several designs inspired by the women’s collection, including a layered chiffon, tutu-inspired dress and skirt.