Costume Page

This is the time of year that some dancing careers are coming to an end and many will be wondering if it is possible to let go of ballet and be successful in another field. French-born Christophe Ridet, the owner of Wear moi Dancewear is living proof that there is life after dance.

About two years ago I remember going into Porselli, the dance shop in London, and seeing a unitard in a beautiful dark green velvet and matt black Lycra. 'I just had to have it' I thought, even if it was perhaps more evening dress than dancewear. I had three minutes to spare and I bought it without trying it on - without any regrets. The label said 'Wear moi' and like all their things it seems to shout 'Buy me'!

When I met Christophe Ridet, I immediately thought of Giorgio Armani. Both changed career, are self-trained designers who refuse to draw, experiment with the drape on a body and can cut and sew with the skill of a cosmetic surgeon. The difference is that Armani was initially at Milan medical school and Ridet at Monte Carlo Ballet.

Christophe's courtship of Lycra began in 1991 when he choreographed a piece for Elisabeth Miegge (now Mrs Ridet) that needed a simple unitard. The costume maker was too busy and handed him a pair of scissors and a pattern and told him to get on with it. In an instant it seems a choreographer died and a designer was born.

"Elisabeth begged me for a leotard" was the start of his business and 'Wear moi' was created the next year. Demand from Elisabeth and other dancers for his dancewear grew rapidly and became so persistent that rather than deprive the ballet world of his talents - he gave up dancing.

He developed his styles in Seattle and 'Wear- moi' quickly became the must have item for the professional dancer. More importantly his relationship with Lycra had deepened into a love affair. "I wanted to do something just that little bit different for the professional dancer" and he did it with an innovative cut, beautifully draped backlines and the use of crushed velvet. He did for dancewear what Armani did for the jacket.

Elisabeth moved to ENB and Christophe set up in London. My vision of a clothing manufacturer is of a sweat shop in an old dark Victorian building in fact Wear moi is in a light modern airy office and the only old dark feature is his first sewing machine. All garments are made to order, from a catalogue, for either individuals, shops or schools. About 1700 are produced each month and 40% are exported. Despite his success he can remember most of his customers by name.

"I always aimed at the adult market - those that wanted something they would feel good in that looked great - more couture"

His Lycra love affair has matured and he has made costumes for several Royal Ballet productions and London musicals. He is scheduled to do his first masterclass for the Welsh National Opera costume department and he plans to do a children's range and custom made tutus this year.

You can't help but notice that his clothes are now seen on the world's best ballerinas and at what seems every ballet company audition. So although Christophe may not have reached the rank of principal in many ways he is making a far more lasting impression on the ballet world.