BP Beautiful People
The BP Beautiful People program develops collaborations with talented individuals from outside the ballet sector. Providing a diverse range of tips and tricks that range from lifestyle, well-being and nutrition to fashion, beauty, costume design, and more.
Performance Art, Fashion and Photography meet at the crossroads
BP President, Kathleen Liechtenstein; Photographer and Fashion Icon, Jo Ann Bitagcol, and FDCP President, JC Buendia.
Beyond just physical location or geography, the start of BALLET PHILIPPINES’ 53rd Season inspired a renewed sense of wanderlust. As the country’s premier dance company prepared to step out again, new collaborations, coalitions, and spaces immediately inspired an invigorating call to arms: DANCE WHERE NO ONE ELSE HAS.
Soussus in JC Buendia
Worn by Paloma Laforteza
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
Arabesque in Jojie Loren
Worn by Maisie Briones
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
Developpé in Seconde in Randy Ortiz
Worn by Ballet Philippines’ Maisie Briones
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
To open the season, BALLET PHILIPPINES partnered with the FASHION DESIGN COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES (FDCP) for a visual journey informed by the season’s theme. With grace, movement, and the enduring beauty of ballet as their guide, the country’s top fashion designers created couture collections, elevating the narrative of dance in the post pandemic world.
Admittedly, fusion of ballet and fashion has been around for centuries now. This particular pairing, however, echoed the invigorated enthusiasm of two creative industries that have similarly learned to survive and thrive amidst unprecedented times. As both the local dance and fashion worlds began navigating new territories also known as the “next normal,” there was a distinct brand of wisdom, strength, and resilience that emerged and resonated in their creative outputs.
Arabesque in Vic Barba
Worn by Dani Kleiner
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
Arabesque by Joey Samson
Worn by Dani Kleiner
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
Developpé devant by Noel Crisostomo
Worn by Paloma Laforteza
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
Joining this creative coalition is fashion icon, eternal muse and artist, JO ANN BITAGCOL. From behind the lens, she captured the grace and beauty of BALLET PHILIPPINES’s core dancers wearing couture creations by the FDCP. Shooting on location at Okada Manila, Bitagcol imparted her signature take on duality. Utilizing slow shutter with lens play to capture movement and motion, the artist also dared to draw out ethereal images that could either be interpreted as past or ego. Hers is a visual narrative, told in her unique style, that compels one to ponder on the season’s theme.
Alonggée in Happy Andrada
Worn by Ballet Philippines’ Maisie Briones
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
Posé en pointe in Dong Omaga Diaz
Worn by Dani Kleiner
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
Epaulé in 4th in Rajo Laurel
Worn by Ballet Philippines’ Paloma Laforteza
Imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol
Shot on location at Okada Manila
BALLET PHILIPPINES’ launch exhibit with the FDCP and Joann Bitagcol will be the first of many throughout the season. With DANCE LIKE NO ONE ELSE HAS as its North Star, the company endeavors to explore more newfangled collaborations, initiatives and partnerships that will empower the creative community as it steps into the next normal.
