Karinska —

Barbara Karinska was Principal Costume Designer and former Director of the costume shop for New York City Ballet. Born in Ukraine, Karinska ran a coffee house and embroidery shop when a young woman. In 1928, she emigrated to Brussels and then settled in Paris, where she collaborated with many designers, and costumed Balanchine’s Le Ballets in 1933. Moving to London in 1936, Karinska costumed ballet, musicals, theatre and film, and began her long creative partnership with photographer Cecil Beaton. Karinska came to live and work in New York in 1938, where her professional partnership with Balanchine continued. She also spent time in Hollywood, winning an Oscar in 1948 for her costumes for Joan of Arc. She was responsible for the execution of almost all of New York City Ballet’s costumes from 1949; at first making them, and later frequently designing them as well. In 1962, Karinska was the first-ever costumier to win the Capezio Award for her outstanding contribution to dance. Karinska’s last work for Balanchine, Vienna Waltzes, was produced in 1977. She died in 1983 at the age of 97.