Reformation's Collaboration With New York City Ballet Is the Stuff of Tulle-Filled Dreams

I think it's time to call it: Balletcore is set to be one of the most dominant fashion trends of the decade. What started as a proclivity for ribbons and leg warmers amongst runway walkers and the extremely online a few years ago quickly spiraled into a fashion force to be reckoned with. Bows, ribbons, and tights in shades that ranged from light pink to black dominated feeds and For You pages in the past year. And by summer 2023, it seemed like every It girl around had invested in a pair of good ballet flats.

Balletcore has clearly outlived the microtrend cycle, and based on the number of tutus I saw on the SS24 runways, it's not slowing down anytime soon. Whether you're scrolling on Instagram or curating a moodboard on Pinterest, the feminine urge to channel your inner prima is very real. Luckily, everyone's go-to brand for high-femme staples, Reformation, has you covered.

A true fashion meets dance crossover, Refromation's latest collaboration combines New York City Ballet's (NYCB for short) elegance and the cheeky design sensibility the brand is known for. Balletcore aside, the collection celebrates the storied history of the legendary NYCB. "Vintage is a core design principle for Reformation, so we are constantly looking to the past for inspiration," says Lauren Caris Cohan, Chief Creative Officer at Reformation.

"In this case, the initial idea for this partnership came from old photos of ballet theater boxes we stumbled on," Cohan tells Byrdie. "The collection itself was created to honor New York City Ballet’s 75th anniversary and is designed to honor the Company’s rich heritage. Our design team was especially inspired by Jewels, a ballet created by NYCB’s Founding Choreographer, George Balanchine, which opened NYCB’s Fall 2023 season."

A few standouts include an array of ballet flats with the perfect pointe-inspired square toe (harder to find than you'd think), which come in satin, leather, and multiple shades of nude; several tulle skirts in various lengths and shades of pink and cream; and a red-print dress featuring, you guessed it, little ballerina illustrations. Plus, the requisite leg warmers, dancer-inspired crop tops, and circle skirts are all represented accordingly.

And if you're wondering, did we really need another balletcore collection? The answer, for me, is a resounding yes. Between Reformation's consistent quality, major sustainable practices, and comparably affordable price points, this collection delivers the stuff Center Stage dreams are made of. Wear this to the studio, work, and beyond.

You can shop Ref x NYCB starting October 9 at TheReformation.com.