The better a ballerina is, the less athletic she appears. Years of discipline, pain, and relentless training are hidden behind a smile. For too long, ballerinas have been admired for the beauty of the performance instead of the extraordinary athletes.

​

As Chanel launched its ballet-inspired Spring–Summer 2024 collection,
the brand made that invisible strength the true protagonist.
“Before the Curtains” follows one dancer through the physical intensity hidden beneath every graceful movement, revealing that every pose admired for its beauty is, in fact, an extraordinary act of athleticism. The story extended across social, fashion creators, and Paris itself, where the city surrounding the Opera became a tribute to ballet's unseen athletes.

It wasn't about changing ballet. It was changing the way people see it.