21 October 2024
![]() The Vienna State Opera today released a call for designers to create the ball gowns for the Vienna Opera Ball 2025. The theme of this year's competition, 'Alles Walzer (All Waltz),' reflects the elegance and fluidity expected in the design of a perfect ball gown. The phrase 'Alles Walzer' not only refers to the graceful movement of the gown on the dance floor, but also echoes the iconic opening line of the Vienna Opera Ball, inviting guests to begin the night of the ball with a waltz on the dance floor. The Viennese Waltz has its roots in the late 18th century and developed from the peasant dances of the Middle Ages. Today it is one of the most traditional ballroom dances. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the waltz began to move from its rustic origins into the ballrooms of the aristocracy. As it entered high society, it gained favor for its elegance and the intimate connection between partners, which was considered quite daring at the time. The waltz became a symbol of cultural change and social freedom, reflecting changes in dance etiquette and the growing popularity of partner dances in European court life. The waltz gained popularity throughout Europe in the 19th century, largely due to composers such as the Austrian Johann Strauss, aka the 'Waltz King'. The Vienna Opera Ball is celebrating the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss (born in Vienna in 1825) with this call for designers under the theme 'Alles Walzer'. The focus for 2025 is on the creation of dresses that embody freedom of movement, feature sophisticated cuts and ensure practicality while waltzing. Designers from all over Austria are invited to submit their creations. Last year, three very different young Austrian talents impressed: Alexandra Gogolok-Nagl from Vienna, Marlen Sabetzer from Styria and Maiken Kloser from Vorarlberg. In 2025, the finalists will present their designs during the Opera Ball Couture Salon on January 31, 2025 and at the Vienna Opera Ball on February 27, 2025. It's announced that the finalists will receive extensive media exposure, the opportunity to present their gowns in collaboration with the Vienna State Ballet, and honorary tickets with red carpet access. The initiative is open to designers living in or with ties to Austria. The finalists will be announced in early December 2024. The deadline for submissions is November 11. Details and the entry form are published at https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Opernball/CoutureSalon2025/. Image courtesy of the Vienna State Opera: The picture shows the first solo dancers Claudine Schoch, Kiyoka Hashimoto, Hyo-Jung Kang and Ketevan Papava posing before the Lancôme photo call at the 66th Vienna Opera Ball in 2024 in couture from the Vorarlberg-based Atelier Maiken K. by designer Maiken Kloser (attended a master class for stage costumes before studying at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna; biography at https://www.maiken-k.at/) and HUMANIC shoes. Photo: © Jürgen Hammerschmid. |
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