A Union of Japanese Excellence and French expertise
Interview with Wear Moi CEO Christophe Ridet and
K-BALLET ACADEMY/SCHOOL Principal Kenta Kura
In August 2024, K-BALLET Co., Ltd. and the French company Wear Moi signed a uniform partnership agreement. As part of this collaboration, Wear Moi ballet products will be adopted as the new uniforms for K-BALLET ACADEMY/K-BALLET SCHOOL, and they will also supply ballet shoes and other products for K-BALLET TOKYO. Christophe Ridet, CEO of Wear Moi, who visited Japan at the end of 2024, is a former dancer who danced with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. He discussed the importance of ballet wear with Kenta Kura, Principal of K-BALLET ACADEMY/K-BALLET SCHOOL.
Christophe Ridet - CEO of Wear Moi
Born in Bourg-en-Bresse, France. He began his career as a professional dancer with Ballet Théâtre du Silence under the direction of Brigitte Lefèvre. He later joined Ballet de Tours, led by Jean-Christophe Maillot, before moving on to Ballets de Monte-Carlo, where he danced under the direction of Jean-Yves Esquerre. After retiring as a dancer at the age of 26 due to back pain, he founded the dancewear brand Wear Moi. Together with his wife, Elisabeth Miegge Ridet, also a former professional dancer, they grew the brand into a globally recognized entity, praised for its quality and elegant beauty for over 30 years.
Kenta Kura - Principal of K-BALLET ACADEMY / K-BALLET SCHOOL
Born in Hokkaido. He received the Scholarship Award at the Lausanne International Ballet Competition in 1995 and entered the Royal Ballet School in the UK. In 1997, he joined The Royal Ballet, where he became a soloist in 2006, dancing major roles such as Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. In 2014, he became the first Japanese teacher at the Royal Ballet School, teaching all levels. In 2023, he was appointed as Principal of K-Ballet Academy / K-Ballet School.
Kenta Kura on Wear Moi Leotard Design
"When I took up my position at K-BALLET ACADEMY, I felt the need to update the uniforms to reflect changes in the skeletal structure of the current and next generations of students.
The necklines should be wider, and the stretch should be more vertical than horizontal. If the cut of the leg line restricts the movement of the hip bones, the dancers won't be able to execute quick movements, losing control, power, speed, and visual image.
We needed leotards that respected the natural movement of the body, and when I discussed this with the company, I discovered that Christophe had already been contacted. I met with Christophe in October of the previous year, and we discussed what we were looking for in terms of fabric stretch and leotard design.
What impressed me about Wear Moi leotards was their lightness. The microfibre material makes them so comfortable. The cutting of the leotards makes legs look longer from both the front and back, and the waist looks slimmer. After introducing these uniforms, injuries have decreased. The students often say they feel lighter and freer, which I believe is essential for their range of motion." Kenta Kura
Christophe Ridet on the Importance of Leotard Design
The meeting between Kura and Ridet dates back to when Kura was dancing with The Royal Ballet.
"I was in charge of tights for the male dancers of The Royal Ballet, ensuring they fit perfectly for each dancer. My wife Elisabeth was dancing with the English National Ballet at the time, and I was based in London, working with all the major ballet companies in the UK as well as on West End shows." Christophe Ridet
"The color of the leotards we chose was a product we had developed specifically for the Japanese market. I believe these shades complement Japanese skin tones and hair, and enhance beauty in harmony with the visual art of ballet, as Kenta mentioned.
Leotards are like underwear or loungewear worn directly on the skin. In the studio, dancers are exposed to the gaze of their teacher and peers for hours. That’s why it’s essential to pay close attention to the finishing details of the leotard. We make sure the stitching isn’t visible on the outside to avoid skin irritation. Our products feature double stitching, and the design allows complete freedom of movement in the chest and arms." Christophe Ridet
On the Future of the Collaboration
"In addition to pointe shoes, we will be working on designs for adult students, and we also plan to collaborate on various products for the company," said Ridet. "We are working on improving pointe shoes, especially for beginners, ensuring they are safe and comfortable. The requirements for professional dancers and students are significantly different, and we aim to create shoes that are both safe and beautiful.
Working with K-Ballet, where we share the same values for ballet as an art form, has been a real pleasure. The passion with which Artistic Director Tetsuya Kumakawa pursues his work is inspiring, and we want to pursue the same goals." Christophe Ridet
Wear Moi's 30-Year Legacy
"I started my career as a professional dancer at 17, and I retired at 26 due to a back injury. After dancing with Brigitte Lefèvre’s contemporary dance company, I moved to Ballet de Tours under Jean-Christophe Maillot, and then to Ballets de Monte-Carlo, where I also choreographed and worked on costumes.
I found working on costumes more interesting than choreography. My wife Elisabeth, who was a dancer, and I thought it would be a good second career to do tours and design leotards. Designing leotards has become an art form for me, where I can express myself.
When I started, I wasn’t sure if my products would be chosen, so I named the brand 'Wear Moi,' as a message saying 'Wear me!' in both English and French." Christophe Ridet
Founded 30 years ago, Wear Moi was created with the motto 'By dancers, for dancers.' Since its inception, the brand has been highly regarded worldwide for its quality, functionality, and iconic design. Wear Moi has been the official uniform of prestigious institutions such as the John Cranko School, English National Ballet School, Houston Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet School, and the European School of Ballet, gaining the trust of both professionals and students alike.
Posted on June 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
