The characteristics of the ballet costume "The Flames of Paris"

Information on the specific costume designs for Nijinsky's "The Flames of Paris" is scarce and often conflicting due to the ballet's relatively short performance history and lack of detailed documentation. However, based on what little is known, we can infer some characteristics:

The costumes likely reflected the revolutionary setting of the ballet. This suggests a move away from the traditional, romanticized styles of classical ballet towards something more realistic and possibly even somewhat austere. We might expect to see costumes that used simpler lines and fabrics, perhaps featuring muted colors and utilitarian designs reflecting the clothing of the time period. The costumes likely avoided elaborate ornamentation typical of earlier ballets.

Some accounts suggest the use of revolutionary-era clothing styles, though it's unclear to what extent this was consistently applied across all characters. The focus might have been on creating silhouettes and movement capabilities suitable for Nijinsky's dynamic choreography rather than strict historical accuracy.

Given Nijinsky's innovative approach, it's possible that the costumes incorporated elements of modernism or even hints of avant-garde design, reflecting the revolutionary spirit both thematically and visually. However, without surviving designs or photographs, this remains speculation.

In short, while precise details are unavailable, we can assume the costumes for "The Flames of Paris" would have been less ornate and more functional than typical classical ballet costumes, reflecting the themes and the style of Nijinsky's innovative choreography.