My darlings, the world of ballet continues to enchant with its artistry, but for me, the real delight often lies in the fashion! This month, let’s talk **tutus**, darlings. From the ethereal to the avant-garde, this year has seen an explosion of design ideas.
At the Paris Opera, I simply gasped at the exquisitely embroidered tutus worn in "Giselle." The floral patterns were so delicate, it was as if a dew-kissed garden had been brought to life on those gossamer skirts. Simply breathtaking. The ballet was perfectly complemented by those ethereal creations. The sheer lightness and the romantic feel of those tutus were so perfectly in tune with the music and the story that they gave a whole new depth to the classical ballet.
The Royal Ballet, on the other hand, took a decidedly bolder approach with their production of "The Sleeping Beauty." Imagine this - the principal dancer adorned in a black tulle tutu, its layers swirling around her as she spun, each layer cut asymmetrically. Absolutely dazzling and so very modern, this piece gave the tutu an entirely new perspective - a daring statement. That piece was perfectly suited for a production like the "Sleeping Beauty" in which the princess goes from a sweet naivete to a strong female archetype who stands up against injustice and fights for her happy ending.
The American Ballet Theatre, however, decided to stay firmly within the traditional style in their performance of "Swan Lake." It was quite an impressive creation, a masterpiece of meticulous layering, feather detailing, and traditional techniques of creation. It just screamed classically graceful. I just have to mention the absolutely delicious creamy off-white that they chose for the swan costume. Those colours really allowed the dance to breathe. You're simply transported to the heart of a ballet masterpiece with the beauty and fluidity of the movements as the white becomes a symbol of hope.
For the sheer elegance of the "Giselle," the bold daring of the "Sleeping Beauty," or the classic beauty of the "Swan Lake", January has seen us spoiled rotten by exquisite examples of the ballerina's wardrobe - particularly the glorious tutus that are so vital to ballet's timeless visual poetry. It has been a month to remember - with every design a little bit of magic.
Do make sure you let me know your favourites!
Until next month, my darlings!