Colorado Ballet

Fall Advertising Campaign

Photography by Rachel Neville

A man caught mid-air, reaching for a white patio umbrella outside a brick building.
A woman in a pink and purple dress jumping in mid-air on a concrete staircase with metal railings, outside a building with brick and concrete walls.

The Challenge: Uplifting a Narrative in a Restricted Climate

I was commissioned to wardrobe professional dancers for the Colorado Ballet’s fall season advertising. The agency's original brief called for a neutral, muted palette. However, launching at the height of a global pandemic, the challenge was to ensure the campaign felt like an invitation to joy rather than a reflection of the current somber climate.

A man dancing on a city sidewalk in front of a brick building, wearing a red hoodie, black leather jacket, and black pants, smiling and appearing joyful.

The Solution: Strategic Vibrancy & Dynamic Integration 

I proposed a pivot to a high-energy, "upbeat" color story to provide visual optimism. To ground the professional high-fashion pieces, I integrated the dancers’ personal wardrobes where appropriate, ensuring the clothing moved naturally with their elite athleticism. By prioritizing saturation and flow, I aligned the fashion with the dancers' power, creating a sense of momentum during a time of global stillness.

A ballet dancer in a red dress performing a dance pose outdoors near a modern building with concrete and glass architecture.

The Result: An Energetic Brand Invitation

A high-impact advertising suite that resonated deeply with the public. The campaign successfully positioned the Colorado Ballet as a source of energy and resilience, proving that strategic color choices can shift the emotional perception of a brand.

A person in colorful clothing is pretending to push a white umbrella, balancing on one foot on the sidewalk outside a brick building.
A woman in a pink patterned dress and white sneakers bouncing mid-air on an outdoor staircase rail, with a brick and concrete building behind her.
A man is holding a woman by the hand while she performs a high leg stretch. They are outside on a city sidewalk with brick buildings in the background.
A woman striking a dance pose on outdoor stairs in an urban setting with a glass arched ceiling and modern buildings around.
A woman in a long yellow skirt and pink top performing a dance pose outdoors, with one arm raised above her head and the other extended behind her, against modern concrete and glass buildings.
A young man dancing or posing on a city sidewalk with a large smile, wearing a red hoodie, black pants, a black leather jacket, and black boots, next to a beige brick building with street lamps and tall buildings in the background.
A ballet dancer in a red dress and pink ballet shoes performing a ballet pose on an outdoor walkway next to a concrete building with a modern architectural design.
A woman in a pink dress jumping over stairs with an indoor backdrop, concrete and brick walls, a metal railing, and partially visible sign reading 'STAIRS'.