Tutues: A Midsummer Night’s Dream of Fabulous Frocks
Oh darling, August has been a whirlwind of feather boas and frothy tutus! A truly decadent month for fashionistas and ballet lovers alike. Firstly, let’s give a hearty clap for the exquisite new production of "Giselle" at the Royal Opera House. Those tutus, my dears, were simply divine! They floated and danced like whispers of tulle, each one a cloud of shimmering silk spun from moonlight and dreams. Then, at the Bolshoi, "La Bayadere" stole our hearts with its sumptuous costumes, particularly the luminous white tutus, so beautifully intricate with sparkling beads. Each dancer became a jewel box on stage. It was an explosion of opulence and drama. Now, there was some interesting use of colour this month. The Vienna State Opera took a bold approach in its production of "Swan Lake". The Black Swan's tutu was black velvet! Absolutely shocking darling! It's like taking a good old fashion piece and giving it a little nip, tuck, and a dash of "edgy." It truly divided opinion, some found it exciting, while others simply found it rather uncouth. However, the clear highlight of the month was the London premiere of the ballet "Ephemeral." Oh my, the tutus were to die for! They weren't the classic Romantic-era pieces we are used to, but a veritable explosion of modern whimsy and daring design. Fabric panels, asymmetric shapes and vibrant colours came together like a kaleidoscope, capturing the ephemeral spirit of the production. I'm adding these beauties to my collection, you just know they are future investment pieces. You can tell that the younger generation of choreographers are embracing experimentation, a beautiful break away from those traditional forms. Of course, one can always rely on a classic romantic tutu to melt your heart but these new pieces really make the art form dance with passion. My dears, we are truly living in a golden age of ballet, fashion and, of course, tutus!