Photography Courtesy of Marc Cain

Marc Cain’s Berlin Show Was All About the Ballerina

I was in Berlin for Marc Cain’s fall runway show when the prettiest pastel pink invitation was delivered to my hotel room. Written across the invite in loopy cursive letters was the evening’s theme: Ballet Magnifique.

That night, from my seat in the front row, I could see a display of black tulle skirts and pink ballet shoes dangling from the ceiling. A quintet of professional dancers from the Staatsballett Berlin pirouetted and pliéd their way down the runway before models in tutus and statement tees kicked off the show.

“I have always been fascinated by the elegance of ballet dancers,” says Karin Veit, creative director for Marc Cain. “In the collection, we tried to combine the very feminine and sophisticated elements with sporty elements.” But it wasn’t all translucent tulle, velvet ribbons and silk slippers. Indeed, full skirts were styled with strings of pearls, sport socks and leather jackets or paired with punky combat boots and tough leather tanks.

“It’s feminine but also a little masculine—a contrast I really like—and all the pieces are perfect for combining,” says actress Kate Bosworth, who also sat in the front row. She was wearing a sequined dress that appeared on the runway. How’s that for a dance-off?

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