The full article appeared on Forbes April 25, 2024. Click here to read the full article
Last week, the country’s foremost ballet competition, Youth America Grand Prix hosted their 25 year anniversary at the Lincoln Center. Besides the stage show, awards and dinner—there were the pointe shoes.
These couture ballet shoes are part of the Pointe Project. They’re being auctioned off until 9 pm ET today to help provide scholarships for dance students around the world. The selection of shoes have been designed by renowned fashion designers and artists like Michael Kors, Libby Klein and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen of The Row.
©PATRICK MCMULLAN
Brian Atwood, for one, designed an exuberant, dramatic pair of pointe shoes made of Swarovski crystals and feathers.
“When Marcella Hymowitz asked me to be a part the Pointe Project, I was so excited to participate,” said Atwood. “I’ve never designed a pointe shoe, but I thought, how can I make it mine? I added a heel, of course. It’s inspired by ballets like Swan Lake and The Firebird.”
All proceeds will go to benefit the YAGP’s scholarship program. The funds will help train and educate young ballet dancers.
In total, the designers had six weeks to create their different pointe shoes, which range from pairs to single shoes, and are covered in pearls, gold chains, crystals, and feathers.
The pointe shoes designed by Adam Lippe are covered in floral embroidery, while Carolina Herrera created a pair of black and pink ballet shoes covered in tulle, while Cynthia Rowley covered her pointe shoes in feathers and ribbons. “I’ve never seen a dance performance that moved me as much as the Youth America Grand Prix does; the expression onstage and choreography is unforgettable,” said Rowley. “The ballet dancers float across the stage like feathers.”
There were also pointe shoes designed by Dylan’s Candy Bar by Dylan Lauren, LoveShackFancy, Khaite, Michelle Ochs for Herve Leger and The Elder Statesman, among others. The Pointe Project was created to expand the YAGP’s mission, and bring in fashion designers and artists to help fundraise for the organization.
Shoe designer Vanessa Noel took an unconventional approach—she designed a handbag out of a pointe shoe. “I wanted to make an evening purse for someone who loves ballet,” said Noel. “It’s an evening bag to bring to the ballet. A conversation piece. Easy to wear.”
The handbag is made of black satin and feathers. “I love the YAGP, it’s important to support the arts,” said Noel. “Ballet and dance are amazing art forms, we need more of this in our lives.”
“Especially when times are so turbulent, the arts are an incredible place to escape. It’s healing.”
VANESSA NOEL
©PATRICK MCMULLAN
Meanwhile, artist Libby Klein, known for her painterly landscapes, created a ballet shoe with butterflies and bees, accompanied by a framed painting for a piece called We Will Dance Again. The pointe shoe is hand-painted, while the painting was created with artificial intelligence. Together, they represent the past and future.
“Each brushstroke on this pointe shoe is a testament to the community and the legacies we build, and the resilience that unites us,” said Klein. “Dreams do come true and I believe anyone can do anything in this world. The YAGP will give these young dancers what they need to thrive.”
©PATRICK MCMULLAN
Stacey Bendet, the CEO and creative director of Alice + Olivia, created a stylish pair of pointe shoes made of lace, silk and pearls. “I am always so happy to support the ballet and emerging talent,” said Bendet. “The slippers feature delicate corded off-white lace, sparkling crystals, and a graceful chiffon embellished strap.”
The Stars Of Today Meet The Stars Of Tomorrow gala at the David Koch Theater saw fashion world icons like Dennis Basso, Brian Atwood and Indre Rockefeller.
Youth America Grand Prix is known as the world’s largest ballet scholarship audition. Over the past 25 years, it has given over 250,000 young dancers education and dance opportunities.
Founded by Larissa Saveliev, the YAGP has awarded $5 million in scholarships to the world’s leading dance academies. Many of the program’s alumni are now working at leading ballet companies like the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, among others.
The YAGP recently announced their $1 million endowment by the Hymowitz Family Foundation, called the Marcella Hymowitz Creative Fellowship, where it will fund groundbreaking dance projects over the next 10 years.
Pointe shoes designed by Carolina Herrara as part of the Youth America Grand Prix 25th Anniversary’s … [+]
KEVIN CZOPEK/BFA.COM
KEVIN CZOPEK/BFA.COM
DARIAN DICIANNO/BFA.COM