M.Ch. L.S. Bakst’s Opinion of Modern Fashion

L.S. Bakst’s Opinion of Modern Fashion
(A letter from Petersburg)
Art is getting increasingly closer to life and is conquering the spheres that until lately were dominated by people having little to do with the latest achievements in acting and art. One of such spheres is fashion. Not too long ago such an expression as “dressing after Bakst” would have caused astonishment, but now art has penetrated into this sphere as well. Let’s hear what L.S. Bakst, has to say about modern fashion.
“It’s due to the nature of Parisian ladies that everything that amazes them on stage evokes a lively response in fashion. For me, it’s the only way to explain why my stagings had such a great influence on the gradual transformation of the women’s costume all the way to colored hair.”
“Blue, green, and gold hair owes its existence to ballet Cleopatra and tragedy La Pisanella with Ida Rubinstein in the lead role, who was the first to wear a blue wig in Cleopatra. Finally, the fashion for colored turbans and Oriental costumes spread all over the world only due to Scheherazade’s fabulous success. Fancy Southern makeup worn by all Scheherazade’s artistes by my intent, impressed modern Paris so much, that the Parisians walk with their faces painted saffron, brown, and yellow color even during the day.
The Paris press tried long and hard to struggle with this fashion novelties, but women would persistently continue their endeavors, which sometimes meant they were asking for trouble. Everyone still remembers scandals in the streets of Paris, Berlin, London, and Petersburg accompanying the appearance of women wearing Turkish trousers. However, the skirt of a modern women’s costume is getting closer to this type of pants.”
“In general, a modern woman’s costume should be divided into daytime and evening one. During the daytime, a woman wants to enjoy the same freedom of movement and simplicity men have. But in the evening, as if remembering that she is the sovereign of the world, she starts to “undress”, at the same time trying keep on her pantalettes – not those of a sporty, businesslike person running across London City from early morning, but rather wide Turkish trousers worn by odalisques and houris.”
Speaking about men’s clothing, L.S. Bakst noted that it is very conservative, and told us about the latest fashion in this sphere – very beautiful black velvet cloaks with white satin lining. These cloaks look very spectacular and smart.
M.Ch.