Dancers pose in protest against lack of diversity in ballet

These performers are striking a pose in protest against the lack of diversity in the world of dance.

The women, whose CVs include stints on the West End stage as well as dancing with some of the country’s leading classical ballet companies, are backing the campaign launched by lingerie firm Bluebella.

The firm estimates only around 5% of professional ballet dancers are from an Afro-Caribbean background, pointing out those that make it also suffer from a lack of suitable costumes and shoes to fit different skin tones.

Bluebella lingerie CEO Emily Bendell said: “It was important for us to launch a hosiery collection that catered for everyone. We chose six amazingly talented professional ballerinas to model the new styles and feel that you get a real sense of the power and athleticism needed for their art in the imagery.”

The CEO worked with London firm Nubian Skin on the project whose founder Ade Hassan said she started the firm “to address a need in the market that was widely ignored - skin tone lingerie and hosiery for women with darker skin”.

She added: “Over the years it’s been phenomenal to see the impact Nubian Skin has had on the industry and the movement towards inclusivity. I’m very excited to have worked with Bluebella, as another female led force within the industry, on their new additions to their range”.

Bendell added: “Ade is a hugely inspirational force within the lingerie industry and an expert on skin tone product.  We could not wish for a better partner than Nubian Skin to help us develop the best shades of hosiery for every skin tone.  We have loved working with Ade and are so excited to launch this new collection.”