Dressing Coppélia

As our new Coppélia is set in the small South Australian town of Hahndorf in the 1880s, Costume Designer Noelene Hill began by researching the historical dress of that time and place. Noelene has created a beautiful suite of complementary designs for the many different characters in the ballet. Each costume is built for movement and displays wonderful theatrical flair. The colour palette is a nod to the hues of the Australian countryside – from eucalypt green and earthy brown to the pale washed blue of a summer sky. Delightful splashes of bright colour highlight leading characters.

The life-size Coppélia doll wears the only tutu in the ballet – and what a lovely creation it will be. We snuck into the Wardrobe department to see the tutu under construction. A deep rose pink bodice with ruched cream silk inserts, lace panel, velvet ribbon trim and short gathered sleeves tops a base of ruffled pink tulle, which will eventually be overlaid with lace and beading.