Darling readers,
Oh my, the Ballet Black Box show was such a sight to behold last week. My darling husband had his doubts when I dragged him along. 'Surely there is a film festival on!' he gasped in his usual grumpy fashion. I simply told him 'darling, one needs to have a social life,' and then sauntered off into the grand ballroom for an evening of pure Parisian pleasure. It simply wouldn't do to simply stay at home in my dressing gown in these dog days. And my word, the dancers took my breath away. Such perfect lines, such wonderful timing, such a visual feast.
Now I don't need to tell you about the ballet performance. What truly stole the show however was the sartorial delight. The first piece? Why darling it was nothing less than spectacular. The costumes, and here we mustn't forget that ballet costumes have a life of their own beyond just looking nice. And the leading dancer had her own special touch that made the evening a sheer pleasure.
For the piece entitled 'Dream,' the principal dancer chose a truly delectable shade of powder blue which is certainly having a moment now, what with Pantone's Colour of the Year and all. Such a delectable colour, isn't it? It would certainly bring the light out of one's hair, don't you think? And the detailing, well darling the fabric simply took my breath away.
Let's discuss the tutu. Yes, yes, I know that some fashion followers still feel that tutus are something best left in a museum. The tutu is alive and well, darling, as you could see last week. Of course it is essential for all good dancers. I dare say, we could be forgiven for wondering just what is holding up a dancer, is it the grace or the tulle? However I find that tutus now have this wonderfully sleek quality that would have no place in the stuffy confines of a Victorian ballet. For one, we have the new and highly delightful shorter, full circle design of the tutu.
Oh, that's another point, the circle. For too long dancers have had to be so aware of what their little legs look like when dancing en pointe. They couldn't move in all their glorious, swirling motions for fear of exposing something too private. But here is the lovely new tutu. Shorter. Smaller. Giving more opportunities for swirling, whipping and twirling with absolutely no chance of the delicate leg line disappearing in a heap of tulle.
- The leading ballerina wore the short full-circle skirt. I'm sorry dear reader I cannot be more specific in this public forum. Perhaps when this gets turned into a podcast or, heaven forfend, a blog.
- One point for the dancers is to take the opportunity to accentuate those lovely ballet legs, isn't it? Darling we can no longer hide that wonderful shape under miles of tulle! But in the current day, the new tutu makes the leg more visible. It emphasises the movement and shape. It is indeed exciting.
What we also witnessed last night, a touch of which made its way into the designs, was that lovely "tumbling fabric". It isn't the best way to describe it. I don't even want to name the design house that brought this beautiful thing to our attention for a time a few years ago. I'd rather keep my dear, little blog uncontroversial.
The tumbling fabric or whatever they are calling it this week, this tumbling fabric had that very subtle sheen which was both dramatic and modern. Oh the fabric wasn't new I'll be honest. There has been that slight sheen around for a while. And yes dear reader it has certainly been popular at Chanel and elsewhere. However, here is the exciting part, you would never really associate a Ballet show with fashion. In this new era it is perfectly possible that ballet may be at the leading edge.
The tutu was a dream, my husband gasped in approval even before the curtain fell. He can be a cynic sometimes, that dear boy, but there are a few things that do move him, I believe. That show really moved the whole crowd last night, and I shall make sure we go next time too.