These were joined, to sorry effect, on several bills by "Bal de Couture, " a recent creation by company ballet-master-in-chief Peter Martins, which, with its gaudy Valentino costume designs, began life last spring as desperate gala fare and which continues now as program filler.

WSJ: Restless Princess | The Sleeping Beauty | New York City Ballet | By Robert Greskovic

Mr. Wheeldon, whose impetus took the ballet from proposal to premiere, heads the program credits, but it is the efforts of set and costume designer Bob Crowley, fourth in order here, that steal the show.

WSJ: Stolen by Design | Alice's Adventures in Wonderland | National Ballet of Canada | By Robert Greskovic