The Royal Ballet launches Sustainable Activewear Collection with Imperfect Pointes

Stockport-based Imperfect Pointes has teamed up with The Royal Ballet for the launch of a new range of sustainable activewear. 

The brand – the only one in the UK whose entire collection of ballet wear is sustainably produced – worked with the internationally renowned ballet company to create an exclusive three-piece collection made entirely from regenerated plastics. 

The range will be available exclusively on The Royal Opera House website from 24th June and can be viewed at Royal Opera House.

The collection comprises a half sleeve leotard, activewear leggings and an activewear vest. Each piece is made entirely from ECONYL^®; a material like nylon that is made using regenerated plastics recovered from landfill, industrial sources, and the ocean. The entire collection will be manufactured at a family-run factory in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Helen Banks, an ‘unintentional ballet mum' and founder of Imperfect Pointes says,

Having launched our first range of sustainable ballet wear in November last year, we are delighted to announce this first exclusive collaboration with The Royal Ballet. It's really inspiring to see this prestigious company making strides in the sustainability arena and looking at its supply chains.

When Banks' daughter took up ballet five years ago, the mother and daughter quickly found themselves frustrated with the lack of sustainable ballet wear options available. With seven years of experience in fashion and sportswear under her belt and a Certificate in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge, she launched Imperfect Pointes, with the debut collection going live in November 2020. She is a proud supporter of the revival of the textile industry in the North of England. 

Offering a wide range of leotards and dance tights for both male and female ballet dancers, Imperfect Pointes produces all its ballet apparel from ECONYL® yarn. ECONYL® looks and performs the same as ordinary nylon but is made from plastics such as those used in old fishing nets, along with industrial plastics from landfill, which are then transformed into recycled nylon. 

Mayara Magri, newly promoted Principal of The Royal Ballet, is the Imperfect Pointes brand ambassador. She says,

It is so important that we think about our impact on the environment, and how we can bring about positive change. As well as being beautiful, this collection will help raise awareness of sustainability in the ballet world, with both style and comfort intact.

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.