It looks as if the aristocratic image of Ilse Liepa has purposely been shaped for jewelry – and it’s no wonder her name is related to the vintage jewelry house of Wellendorf, Jilbert Albert, jeweler Kenneth Jay Lane’s collection, the YuT firm’s art project and Smolenskiye Brillianty Brand.
Being the People’s Artist of Russia, winner of the Golden Mask and Crystal Turandot Awards, Member of the Board of the Maris Liepa Charity Foundation, Ilse undoubtedly belongs to some of the most successful, beautiful and stylish women in Russia.
Ilse, who is the daughter of Maris Liepa and the sister of another outstanding ballet dancer, Andris Liepa, played in such ballets as “Don Quixote,” “Raymonda,” “Romeo and Juliette,” “Fantasy on a Theme by Casanova” and “La Leçon.” In 2002, she was awarded the State Prize of Russia for her performance in the role of Countess in Roland Petit’s “Pique Dame.” At her ballet evenings she performed parties from “Carmen Suite” and “Madam Bovary,” “Vision of a Rose” and “Shekherezada” together with her brother Andris; she also played Mary Stuart and Catherine II at the theatre and had many cinema roles (“The Shining World,” “Bambi’s Childhood,” “Lermontov,” TV series “Mikhailo Lomonosov,” and others). Any beautiful woman and the more so such a ballerina as Ilse Liepa has her own attitude towards jewelry recollecting some stories related to jewels.
What would you say about your cooperation with jewelry houses?
Some years ago I presented Wallendorf’s jewelry at an inauguration of their house in Moscow, then I took part in the advertising campaign of Jewelry Theatre and for several years I attend various actions of Smolenskiye Brillianty, with which I used to maintain friendly relations during these years. And I was especially pleased that this possibly inspired Smolenskiye Brillianty to collaborate with the Maris Liepa Foundation chaired by my brother Andris. Namely, it was partnership to recreate the ballets of Dyagilev’s Russian Seasons, which Andris was tackling over recent years. The “Russian Seasons” in their time produced immense influence on the development of jewelry art in the early 20th century having inspired many famous jewelers to create their masterpieces, and now Smolenskiye Brillianty has rendered support to this unique project reviving the heritage of magnificent choreographers, painters and theater artists of the last century. The “Russian Seasons 21st Century” project is eagerly backed up by Smolenskiye Brillianty and as a ballet dancer I am also engaged in this process, which is developing and has long term goals. This is very pleasant.
What are you motivated by choosing your jewelry? Are the jewelry pieces which you wear in any way related to zodiac signs or any other things?
My jewelry has never been related to any zodiac or other signs. I choose my jewelry governed only by my feeling. There was a time when I was carried away by pearls. Now I am more balanced about it. However, I have always loved and continue to love diamonds – and I wear them with pleasure. You know, they bring Shakespeare to my mind: “Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare, Since, seldom coming, in the long year set, Like stones of worth they thinly placed are, Or captain jewels in the carcanet.”
How beautiful do you find diamond jewelry you see on our female contemporaries?
In recent years, jewelry art has progressed significantly. There emerged a lot of attractive things. I often see women wearing ingenious and undreamt-of jewelry pieces. Incidentally, I recollect unusual triangle-shaped earrings from a collection of Smolenskiye Brillianty. I haven’t seen such earring anywhere else. They are very singular and eye-striking.
What do you think – is there any connection between one’s creative ability and the quality of one’s jewelry? Is it a usual thing for artists to have good taste?
I can only speak of people belonging to my profession, whom I know well. Ballet is an elite art instilling elegance and style. Ballerinas have always had an eye for diamonds and been distinguished for their good taste.
Could you tell about some jewelry piece which impressed you most?
The diamond buckles for the shoes of Queen Elisabeth of Great Britain.
Have you got some family things or jewelry pieces which are most dear to you memory?
My father left me an old-time ring with diamonds and blue enamel. Of course it is very dear to me. And my mother passed me a pendant with amethysts and diamonds which my grandma had given her on my birthday. Of course I feel the magic of these gems…
