The Centre National du Costume de Scène et de la Scénographie in Paris will be holding an exhibition to showcase the work of Christian Lacroix, Fashion Designer who has become Costume Designer, and created the ballet costumes for Paris' Opera National's new version of La Source. The exhibition will display the sumptuous Swarovski-encrusted costumes worn on stage by the Paris Opera Ballet at the Palais Garnier in the autumn of 2011. 

Refined neo-classism, Russian Baroque and Orientalism were the main inspiration in the conception of the fantasy-roles designs; “I wanted to give the impression that these costumes, as well as the ballet, had come out of a long sleep with their freshness and memories intact, and, in addition, to have the rustic aspects contrast with the opulence of the brocades, ornaments and jewels.” said Christian Lacroix during the preparations in the costume workshops.

In a choreography by Jean-Guillaume Bart, Danseur Etoile, this romantic ballet which disappeared from the repertoire of the Opéra at the end of the 19th century, tells the story of the sacrifice of Naïla, spirit of the source, for the love of the hunter Djemil and his beautiful Nouredda.

This exhibition is an invitation to discover the process on the creation of the costumes and accessories created for the ballet. The visitor will be guided through interviews and reports in the costume workshops, costume fittings, treatment of materials, the elaboration of the make-up design, the creation and mounting of the sets, the rehearsals, etc.

Curated by Christian Lacroix; Brigitte Lefèvre, director of dance at the Opéra national de Paris and Delphine Pinasa, director of the Centre national du costume de scène; « Christian Lacroix, La Source and the Paris Opera Ballet » will be on from from June 16 to December 31, 2012.

Visit: Centre National du Costume de Scène et de la Scénographie

                      The Winners; Matthew Miller, Lou Dalton, Sid Bryan (Sibling), Joe Bates (Sibling), Christopher Raeburn,                                                                                          Cozette McCreery (Sibling) Andrew Bunney (Bunney) and Martine Rose

May 21st was the date chosen by The British Fashion Council and Topman to host a reception and celebrate the NEWGEN MEN awards. This season, Lou Dalton and designer’s trio Cozette McCreery, Sid Bryan and Joe Bates, from Sibling, were awarded as the latest menswear designers to receive catwalk sponsorship for next spring/summer 2013. 

The award for presentation sponsorship was received by Christopher Raeburn, Martine Rose and Matthew Miller, while the Installation Sponsorship was given to jewellery label Bunney.

Each winner will be showcasing their work on 15th -17th June 2012, during the premier London Collections: Men. "I can't think of better designers to represent the first ever London Collections: Men," said Gordon Richardson, Design Director of Topman. "Between them they represent all that's diverse and wonderful about British fashion right now," he added.

Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council, mentioned how delighted the institution is to support six of London's emerging menswear talents. "This announcement kick-starts the countdown to the launch of our dedicated menswear showcase, London Collections: Men, and is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Britain as a leading force in menswear and capital of emerging talent," she commented. 

NEWGEN MEN started in September 2009 as an initiative to offer sponsorship to menswear emerging talents. In this edition, the judging panel included Lulu Kennedy, Founder of Fashion East; Gordon Richardson, Design Director of Topman; Langmead, Editor-in-chief of Mr Porter and Charlie Porter, Deputy Editor of Fantastic Man.