Darling, It’s June, and the air is abuzz with the promise of ballets both old and new! But before you rush out and buy the same old, tired tutu, let me whisper a secret – the secret to designing the hottest leotard and tutu in the city. It’s all about striking that perfect balance between classic elegance and cutting edge chic.
Let's start with the leotard, the foundation upon which your entire look is built. Forget those dreary, skin-tight, boring black numbers! This month, it’s all about adding a touch of playful panache. I propose a leotard of a rich, sumptuous velvet - the deep plum hue of an ageing port wine, perhaps. A subtle but elegant keyhole back adds a touch of the mysterious, while delicate spaghetti straps, adorned with tiny Swarovski crystals, complete the picture of Parisian refinement. Oh, and make sure your lovely leotard comes in a luxurious, deep shade of lilac – a colour which I’ve noticed will be highly coveted this year!
Now, let's talk tutu. For this June, the trend screams a voluminous tulle cloud. We are after all, heading into a season filled with lavish balls and fairy-tale dreams! This isn’t a flimsy wisp of fabric – no, no! Think sumptuous silk chiffon, a pale, ethereal shade that almost shimmers in the light. As for shape – we're talking tiers upon tiers, giving it the romantic flair that is the key to our coveted design!
Here are the key ingredients:
* **For the leotard**
* A rich velvet, ideally plum or lilac - (try The Fabric Gallery, 65 Old Compton St, London W1)
* Delicate, Swarovski-embellished spaghetti straps - (try a couture bead store in London, darling, for this, a discreet place!)
* Keyhole back cut in the back of your leotard - this can be designed and cut by an excellent local tailor
* **For the Tutu**
* Luxurious silk chiffon in a pale ethereal shade (The Fabric Gallery, I assure you, is excellent for the finest silk chiffons, darling, but do search for a quality fabric supplier in your area)
* Fine tulle for layers and volume, a variety of pale pink and grey shades (again, a decent fabric supplier in your region is essential for these fine tulle fabrics)
* Elastic, bias binding, strong thread
* Beading, crystal decoration – perhaps some antique vintage beaded appliqués from your Nana’s antique box?
And lastly, don’t forget a dash of your own personality - a touch of vintage flair, a shimmering metallic accent – the sky is the limit. Be confident, be yourself – and you’ll certainly catch the eye of every ballet buff this month, darling! Now off with you, and design something beautiful!