Witnessing the end of a prosperous century and in the early days of Realism, Edgar Degas, the renowned person of arts, stands out as the most nonconformist artist among the impressionists. Having no illusions about the “bonne société”, modern and determined, he chooses to depict a classical analysis of the modern life instead of diaphanous landscape drawings of his contemporaries. He turns naturally towards the world of entertainment, particularly to ballet, a strong discipline exploring the poetry of movement on delicate bodies which will inspire his most beautiful paintings.
Jasmin Santanen takes a particular interest in this expressive world. Tracing the footsteps of Degas, she delivers us a collection in “three acts and without a final to stimulate the imagination and the spontaneity of the senses.
The collection invites us to experience the simplicity of the artist’s “atelier”. A loose wide shirt in the style that painters wear generously drapes feminine curves of a body with confident strokes. A monochrome palette seduces us with lightened up sparkling hues.
At the backstage, the corps de ballet in a cloud of tulle and mouseline: the indisputable materials of Jasmin Santanen Classics enhance the subtle sweet beauty of the dancers, in powdery shades. Opposed to that, corseted at the waist or hip skirts and dresses, combined with high and stiff collar blouses remind us the rigorous grace behind this discipline. On the stage, arabesques, accentuate hues against a pale skin in various transparent blues and tone on tone tulle and organza layering, to create graceful yet austere silhouettes.
In this refined atmosphere of a theatre night, the audience in shiny satins and rich velvets mingle with the fairy tale of costumes on the scene. Evening coats glitter next to deep off shoulder neckline dresses and fitted waist and voluminous sleeve detailed garments. The dandy elegance of the period is playfully declined in feminine, for black tuxedos and redingotes as well as for silk blouses with meticulous bow ties.
