Dearest Readers, As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, a new ballet season dawns, and with it, the glorious return of the tutu! From the glittering grand stages of Covent Garden to the intimate charm of local theatre troupes, the tutu remains a timeless symbol of grace, elegance and, dare I say, pure theatricality. This month, my darlings, the tutus have been simply divine. Here are a few of the season's highlights that have graced my discerning eyes. A Swirl of Satin - At the Bolshoi, the ballerinas in "Swan Lake" were a sight to behold, each swan embodied in delicate layers of white tulle, the subtle shading from moonlight white to ivory catching the eye like the shimmering scales of a fish. There were moments when the tutus seemed to melt away into air, the ballerina’s movements truly taking flight. The artistry of the tutu here is unsurpassed! The Sparkly Truth - Over at the Royal Ballet, their production of "Sleeping Beauty" brought us some real eye-candy with Aurora’s awakening tutu a symphony of pastel pinks, accented with glittering embellishments. Every movement was a shower of iridescent sparkle, reflecting the magic of the night and truly embodying the fairytale magic of this story. A Twist on Tradition - Let’s not forget those designers daring to break tradition, like the wonderful “Giselle” performance in Manchester, where a local company paired their classic tutu with an audacious bold red bodice - an intriguing juxtaposition against the usual Romantic ballet whites, but ultimately daring and successful. A Collector's Pleasure And now, my own little secret: my latest tutu acquisition is a vintage confection - a powder blue beauty with delicate hand-stitched flowers. The tutu itself was salvaged from the Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella,” the faded silks adding an air of timeless allure. Oh my darlings, she is quite a catch, but I confess, I shall be adding it to my personal collection where it shall join its fellow ballet treasures. Well, there we have it, a mere snapshot of the wonderful ballet tutu scene this season. Next month, we shall explore the daring, avant-garde and modern twists on this beloved ballet garment. I daresay they are almost as thrilling as the traditional and more formal styles we are used to!
