Ballet En Pointe 68

Ballet En Pointe - Fulham

Hey darlings! Your girl is back, bringing you all the latest news from the fabulous world of ballet, straight from the heart of Fulham! You know, that fabulous, chic area where the shops are stunning and the restaurants have impeccable vibes - basically a fashion girl's paradise, right? Well, let me tell you, when it comes to all things ballet, Fulham is becoming a pretty baller place, too, and it's about time! #enpointe

So, my fellow ballerinas, let's dive straight into the good stuff, shall we? We're talking about all things pointe shoes, leotards and tutus, and Fulham is proving to be a real hotbed for top-notch choices.

Listen, when it comes to those little beauties that help us dance on the tips of our toes, we need to be careful! Those things can make or break a performance, so only the very best will do! Luckily, Fulham has us covered with a plethora of choices for both beginners and experienced dancers! You can find a few gems here in Fulham but, for the widest variety of brands and expert advice, it's worth taking a trip out to Covent Garden. The Dance Shop (on the south side) and Freed (north side) have all you'll ever need in pointe shoes, plus excellent advice, so I recommend checking them out. However, if you want a bit of pampering and extra time with the staff to figure out your needs and wants, a little drive to West London Dance in Kensington (close to Earl’s Court Station) is worth it. Trust me, they're a veritable haven for the most stylish dancers!

There are lots of ballet boutiques, small shops and department stores selling ballet shoes in Fulham but many don’t have experts for the finer pointe of finding a pointe shoe so remember it’s always worth a trip to the experts! As soon as I find one in Fulham, you guys are the first to know, I promise!

Speaking of pointe shoes, Fulham is getting so fancy that the number of professional dancers here is constantly growing! If you go to Fulham Broadway Station and go for a stroll along the King's Road, chances are you'll bump into a few ballet beauties! Now, there's no harm in giving a little peek at the way those lovely dancers use their pointe shoes - sometimes, even when it's not a class or rehearsal, they rock the "ballet shoes out" look, right there on the streets. They don't hold back. So, it's not unusual to see them at all sorts of shops and cafes, and even strolling in style as they walk down the road - real eye candy, I must say. If you see them, maybe you can ask them about the stores they shop at - maybe you'll find some new gems!

Okay, darlings, let's get real: the leotard game is about more than just function, okay? It's all about a seamless look that flatters our beautiful bodies and elevates our moves, all the while remaining totally functional. The right leotard, with the right fabrics and fit, is everything, especially when we're giving it our all at the barre or during that grand jeté across the dance floor. Let’s be honest, most ballet classes are really pretty hot. Even with all the legwork, some classes are more strenuous than others, so keeping it real and feeling fresh during rehearsals, lessons or performances is crucial!

So, here’s my leotard guide for Fulham:

• If you're looking for luxury brands like Bloch or Grishko, your first stop is the Dance Shop, London on The Strand in Covent Garden. Let’s face it: If we are buying high-quality, we need to try before we buy so head to this fantastic dance emporium with loads of beautiful brands, lots of leotard and dress choices and you’re just off Covent Garden tube!
• If you need to just pick up a simple basic, head to Fulham Road and the high-street stores, most of them will have a decent choice of basic and affordable leotards (just ask).

Darling, we all have to admit that a tutu is really what it’s all about! We can go for the more classic, traditional ballet styles - think, the quintessential puffy, romantic tulle - which can look absolutely exquisite, giving off a fairy-tale vibe! For those more sophisticated moments on the stage, there are also more contemporary designs, where the tutus take a little more shape and can even play with unexpected fabric and combinations, adding drama and excitement. For those truly special moments when the lighting hits the stage just right and your performance is all that matters, the tutu has an incredible ability to enhance and compliment the dance moves perfectly. In ballet, the tutu can make or break an act – it’s everything and we take our tutus very seriously, which is why you need to choose your tutus very wisely!

Unfortunately, it's tough finding the really, really special tutus on Fulham Road or Kings Road, and unless you’ve had them made for you, a few of the big department stores might carry some classic versions, but your best bet is, once again, Covent Garden.

• Dance Shop (The Strand) - Head down to Covent Garden, you won’t be disappointed and they really have everything.
• Freed - They're close to the Dance Shop, so if you need a wider selection for ballet wear you've just got to swing by! And the experts here can really give you some tips and ideas about the style and tutu shape which works for you!

Darling, it’s time to talk about ballet in Fulham. As a dancer in my early 20s, I love discovering the latest classes, and with the buzz in Fulham, I’ve got a few hot spots I’ve got to recommend! Let’s talk:

• Studio West Fulham. Darling, let me tell you, they offer a ton of fun, high-energy ballet classes for adults in Fulham! And their Instagram page is totally stunning, with so many gorgeous pictures. It’s also located on the Fulham Broadway, just next to the Tube Station so what’s not to love!
• Fulham Ballet Studio is the home to the Fulham Ballet School. Now, let’s talk about this. It’s known for having classes of all sorts and has been part of Fulham for years and is the most-recommended studio in the area! It’s very old school with amazing teachers and super traditional classes! So if you want real structure, discipline and the classic approach, Fulham Ballet School will make sure your pirouettes and leaps are perfect!

So, Fulham is becoming a dance haven with its increasing focus on ballet. This part of London has such a cool, diverse feel to it, and now we’ve got amazing classes. So, it’s time for ballet fans to head to Fulham. Fulham has become the place for all our ballet needs and you can find some fantastic bargains too. It’s a truly great addition to our ballet lives! #ballet