According to Mr. Martins, the ballet master in chief of the company, the idea to bring in Mr. Valentino as a collaborator belonged to the actress Sarah Jessica Parker, a member of the board of trustees.

WSJ: A New Principal at the Ballet

It's no secret that the ballet-master-in-chief has made little name for himself as a choreographer, so it remains to be seen if audiences who respond to his administration's seasonal themes will respond to one pegged to his own dancemaking.

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

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

In a more obscure image by Penn of Tai Chi master Da Liu instructing 80 year old Bertie Donnelly and New York City Ballet dancer Suki Schorer, author Joan Didion recalls coming of age as an assistant editor at Vogue.

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