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fashion: feature

Tamsin Cooper and the Royal New Zealand Ballet: first positionTamsin Cooper and the Royal New Zealand Ballet: first position



The Royal New Zealand Ballet has announced its first-ever fashion accessories’ range, a collaboration with designer Tamsin Cooper
photographed by Luke Calder

 

THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET should be known for fashion—or at least its past 12 to 18 months. In that period, the publicity for the ballet, with ever more glamorous imagery, hinted at a growing awareness of fashion.

Fashion and dance have come together frequently—they seem like natural bedfellows, each affecting popular culture in their own way. It makes complete sense, therefore, that the Royal New Zealand Ballet would create a fashion accessories’ range—but which designer had the feminine sensibility that could fit with its brand?

The question would make an interesting study in to co-branding, but the Ballet’s choice of Tamsin Cooper seems to be the right one. Cooper, based near Arrowtown, was commissioned to create luxury accessories that would allow the Royal New Zealand Ballet to extend its brand, not just to ballet fans but to those who delight in brooches, necklaces and keepsakes that help them remember a performance.

As well as these items, Cooper has hair ties, a compact mirror, a silk shoe bag, shoulder bag and evening clutch bag.

The Ballet’s general manager, Amanda Skoog, says the decision was commercial, and complements its core brand well. Meanwhile, Cooper says in her press release that she had once dreamed of becoming a ballerina, and the range helps her realize that.

In earlier conversations with Lucire, Cooper expressed a great deal of excitement about the collaboration. The range also extends her reach, one which had already grown considerably in the mid-2000s.

The range will be available at the theatres where the Royal New Zealand Ballet will perform, at selected retailers throughout New Zealand, and online through both the Ballet’s and Tamsin Cooper’s websites.

The photographs were shot by Cooper’s husband, Luke Calder (not to be confused with the Australian-based photographer of the same name), in Wellington in May. •

 

 

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Fashion and dance have come together frequently—they seem like natural bedfellows, each affecting popular culture in their own way. It makes complete sense, therefore, that the Royal New Zealand Ballet would create a fashion accessories’ range

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