Every performance you see on stage begins long before the curtain rises. It starts with a sketch on a costume designer’s desk, a pair of pointe shoes softened by hand, a backdrop painted inch by inch in a workshop most audiences will never step inside. It’s this hidden world that Cath Kidston has chosen to celebrate in its Autumn collection, Waiting in the Wings, created in partnership with The Royal Ballet.
A collection inspired by the unseen
Rather than focusing solely on the spotlight, Waiting in the Wings turns its attention to the craftsmanship, dedication and creative process that bring a story to life. The collection draws on the artistry of costume, set design, painting and performance, placing the creative journey itself at the heart of the narrative.
For Holly Marler, Head of Creative at Cath Kidston, the inspiration came naturally. “The love of ballet, theatre and the arts was at the very heart of our creative inspiration for this collection with The Royal Ballet,” she explains. “To see that vision come to life alongside such a prestigious institution is a real honour.”
That sense of care runs through every piece. Each print reflects the skill and imagination involved in turning an initial sketch into a finished collection, a quiet parallel between the work of a print designer and the work of the creatives behind a ballet production.
Backstage at the Royal Opera House
The campaign was photographed backstage at the Royal Opera House, and it takes us well beyond the famous red velvet curtains. The images move through the rehearsal studio, Lauren Cuthbertson’s dressing room, the Pointe Shoe Room and the set painters’ workshop, the spaces where the real work of a performance happens.
Lauren Cuthbertson, Principal Guest Artist at The Royal Ballet, brings the collection to life, and for her the partnership was personal. “I’ve admired Cath Kidston for many years and have always loved its iconic floral prints and timeless style,” she says. “To be part of this beautiful partnership celebrating Cath Kidston’s collaboration with The Royal Ballet has been a true joy, and a genuine match made in heaven.”
In one of the campaign’s standout moments, Lauren wears Cath Kidston’s statement Sheer Butterfly Dress in a specially commissioned performance choreographed by Katya Bourvis. It’s a showcase for the collection’s hero Butterfly print, and for the artistry, elegance and technical brilliance that have defined Lauren’s celebrated career. Holly Marler sums it up simply: “Every one of our prints is created with immense care and consideration, and to have these pieces brought to life by Lauren Cuthbertson feels incredibly special.”
Designed for the studio and the street
While the inspiration is theatrical, the collection is very much made for real life. Spanning womenswear, nightwear, bags and childrenswear, it pairs everyday practicality with a touch of theatrical charm.
The bags are where the collection really shines. Quilted totes come in soft pastel patchworks or pared-back plains finished with embroidered butterflies. Multi-pocketed shoulder totes set a utility camel ground against bold fuchsia button roses, a playful contrast that works just as well on the school run as on a trip to the theatre. Classic book bags carry a hand-painted placement reading “Life is a Stage”, and matching ballerina ditsy pouches nod to a dancer’s rituals, perfectly sized for everything from pointe shoe ribbons to everyday keepsakes.
The knitwear and outerwear is made for autumn layering. Soft new accent cardigans wear their hearts on their sleeves, quite literally, while the stand-out embroidered, rose-adorned hooded zip jacket is the kind of elevated everyday piece that moves easily between seasons, or, as Cath Kidston puts it, between the studio and the stage.
The Sheer Butterfly Dress is the collection’s showpiece, and the one to choose if you want a little drama for autumn evenings and occasions.
A tribute to the people behind the performance
What makes Waiting in the Wings feel special is its point of view. It’s a tribute to the creatives behind every performance: the talent, craft and dedication that exist both on stage and behind the curtain, where each performance begins. For anyone who has ever sat in a darkened theatre and wondered about the hands that made it all possible, this is a collection that tells their story.
Where to buy
The Waiting in the Wings collection with The Royal Ballet launches from October 2026. It’s available to buy online at NEXT and in store at Cath Kidston’s Westfield London location.
Will you be adding a piece from Waiting in the Wings to your autumn wardrobe? Share your favourites with us on Instagram using #annelouisemag.
