ALAINPAUL has created the costumes for a new ballet, Drift Wood, at the Opéra national de Paris. The project was a collaboration with choreographers Imre van Opstal and Marne van Opstal. The costumes explore the tension between human society and primal nature, taking inspiration from driftwood shaped by time and the sea.

The ballet itself is a poetic diorama inspired by the romanticism of nature. It uses movement, sound, and image to explore themes of vulnerability and connection. Within this setting, the costumes serve as an extension of the dancers’ movements, expressing both fragility and strength.

The designs align with the sculptural clarity and fluidity that define the ALAINPAUL brand. For the house, this project marks a meaningful return to the world of dance and a fusion of movement, design, and story.

As Alain explains, the collaboration was an honor and a full-circle moment, uniting his background in ballet with his work in fashion. The creation process became a dialogue between choreography and the construction of the garments.

Check it out below: