Rubies Hem

Music Rubies: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra (1929) by Igor Stravinsky

Choreography by George Balanchine (1967)

Jewels is unique in that the three act plotless ballet uses the music of three different composers. The sentiment of Rubies is decidedly jazzy American. Balanchine used as his inspiration the artistry of the jewelry designer Claude Arpels of Van Cleef & Arpels

“It is wonderful to see how our costume workshop, under Karinska’s direction, came so close to the quality of real stones.” Rubies epitomizes the crisp and witty collaboration of Stravinsky and Balanchine.

The snaps on this garment have nearly fused onto the fabric and the resulting discoloration on adds to the movement of the folding back of the placket to give a peak at the interior. The loop of thread from a mend adds to the composition.