Meet the Photographer Who Shot 10 Years of New York City Ballet Fashion Collaborations by 29 of the Most Influential Designers in the World
The NYC Ballet Is Not Just a Performance, It’s a Runway Show
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Back when I was growing up, going to the ballet or the theater was a big deal.
I would put on my best dress and put my best foot forward for what would always be a very special night.
Sadly, times have changed.
People don’t get dressed up like they used to.
But tomorrow’s New York City Ballet Fall Gala—marking the Company’s 75th anniversary — is a welcome exception.
It’s one of those nights where you can be sure the guests will be dressed in their finest gowns and jewels.
One reason why everyone gets so dressed up is because the City Ballet is not just a performance but something of a runway show.
Every year, one or more fashion designers are tasked with designing the costumes for the dancers.
If you love fashion and ballet, like I do, there’s an exciting new book you must check out that showcases the past decade of New York City Ballet costumes designed by some of the most important fashion designers in the world.
Pari Dukovic is the book’s photographer. Dukovic is probably best known for this iconic shot:
But there are plenty of others:
He’s photographed some of the most famous faces in the world.
I sat down recently with Dukovic to talk about his new book, meeting Obama, and what you should do if you’re getting your portrait taken — hint, hint — relax.
135 COSTUMES ON 11 DANCERS IN 6 DAYS DURING COVID
ALINA CHO: You photographed this unbelievable book on the [past decade of New York City Ballet] costumes.
From what I understand, it was extremely challenging because you shot all of it during COVID.
PARI DUKOVIC: We did. I mean, when I was brought on to the project, it was 2019. We were planning to shoot it early in 2020. Then, of course, COVID happened.
ALINA CHO: I call it the “lost years.”
PARI DUKOVIC: Yes, but on the flip side, it provided me with a lot of time to [come up with a] creative direction for it.
ALINA CHO: Oh, interesting.
PARI DUKOVIC: I had to come up with a very intentional plan because it was like, 10 years of New York City Ballet fashion collaborations with 29 designers. And with COVID, we had logistical limitations. We had to shoot the entire project in six days. And my challenge was, okay, six days, 135 looks in total that we shot. Which kind of brings it down to 15 or 16 minutes per look. But again, during COVID, I had so much time to research each look.
ALINA CHO: So, you could be focused in the moment and get it done — because, otherwise, there's no way you could have finished that.
PARI DUKOVIC: It's true. I created an Excel sheet where I had the look, what background color [I wanted to use], my inspiration for it, and [other notes like] is there something from the New York City ballet choreography that I want to bring into this?
ALINA CHO: This is your first book that’s truly your own. How exciting.
PARI DUKOVIC: I couldn't have dreamt up a better subject matter. Because I love working with people. I love fashion. I love movement. I love color. And the ballet is in an intersection of so many different art forms. And I saw this photography book as a portrait of each dancer in movement.
MEETING (AND WORKING WITH) PRESIDENT OBAMA
ALINA CHO: I want to talk a little bit about what is arguably your most famous photo — the cover of President Obama's memoir. How did that happen?
PARI DUKOVIC: Well, I have to take you a few years back or more than a few years back. My first meeting with President Barack Obama was when I was at The New Yorker as a staff photographer. They reached out and it was just like, "Would you be interested in photographing the President of the United States?"
ALINA CHO: Would you be interested? Is that even a question?
PARI DUKOVIC: Exactly. I will never forget that day because it was early in January, at the very beginning of his second term. For me, as an immigrant, coming to the United States and having the opportunity to document part of American history, it’s the American dream.
ALINA CHO: So, fast forward to the book cover. How did that happen? He liked The New Yorker portrait, obviously.
PARI DUKOVIC: He did. I got a call from the publisher, and they said, “You know, we have this very special project that we're considering your name [for], would you be interested?” And I was just like, “It would be an honor to have the opportunity to do a portrait for his presidential memoir.”
ALINA CHO: Tell me, what is it about that photo that you like so much? What do you think it captured?
PARI DUKOVIC: I think it captures his magic.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE SITTING FOR A PORTRAIT WITH A (FAMOUS) PHOTOGRAPHER
ALINA CHO: What is your advice to someone who is sitting for you? How do you relax, get in the moment and put your best self forward? What are you looking for?
PARI DUKOVIC: I think the thing that I'm looking for is to be able to find that effortlessness in the moment. And sometimes it's challenging to be able to do that in a short amount of time.
ALINA CHO: Especially when you don't know your subject.
PARI DUKOVIC: Yes. Most of the portrait sittings I do, I have very little time. One memory that I have is [from a sitting I did with] Stevie Wonder.
I love this picture. Because it captures his heart.
ALINA CHO: And his joy.
PARI DUKOVIC: Yes. Yes. Photographs, although they're in a 2D space, they need to have another dimension to them. I think a good photograph takes you to the next dimension.
ALINA CHO: One final question — for someone who might sit for you, what is your advice?
PARI DUKOVIC: Being yourself is the most important thing, no doubt. And trust the process — that’s a very important ingredient in creating something that's going to stand the test of time.
A real success story dear Pari Dukovic,. congratulations ...Amazing shots
Pretty great opportunity to understand more about his perspective.
Thank you , great interview!