AI Fashion Review 69

Darling, March has arrived, the winds are whipping up outside but here in the studios we are feeling warm and radiant in anticipation of a whole new season of ballet! We are ready to step into the sunlight, a fresh vision of Spring, with tutus so soft and light and leotards that will leave even the most discerning of ballerinas quivering with excitement.

This month we must consider, not just our choreography, but our costumes too. That's right, dears. Our very own artistic vision, distilled in fabric and ribbon, a masterpiece of beauty, and light, that whispers poetry in every swirl and pirouette.

For this March I'm all about a vision of the Parisian Ballet; graceful, romantic, and tinged with just a hint of rebellion.

To achieve our Parisien look we will need a leotard and a tutu, in shades that capture the essence of a Paris dawn. Think soft cream, or a pale peachy blush - and of course, an element of Parisian whimsy. Perhaps some delicate lace or a splash of lavender for that je ne sais quoi.

• A beautiful blush leotard (from our trusted purveyor: Dancewear Diva). Think lace and delicate ribbon trim.
• One exquisite roll of pastel pink tulle from your local haberdashery shop.
• A touch of sparkly lavender ribbon. You want the right level of sparkle, darling, so shop carefully and avoid those sequins that have too much 'glitter' – that is SO 2002.
• An old fashioned sewing machine, the kind with the intricate embroidery stitch, just like your gran used to use (but keep your eyes peeled, dear – vintage machines can be a real bargain in local charity shops! ).
• Your trusted tailoring scissors. Those with a lovely soft grip so that the handle doesn't cut your fingertips like that wretched pair I bought in that bargain bin.

• Start with the leotard and find that wonderful seam near the hipline. That is where our little lace feature will go.
• Lay your delicate lace across the line, carefully pin, then with a fine, nimble stitch – we’re going for beautiful craftsmanship here, darlings - create a little 'hug' of lace across the hips.
• Next, using the most delicious shade of pastel pink tulle we must create the perfect, wispy skirt.
• Carefully gather the tulle and form ruffles; it doesn't need to be perfectly even darling – a touch of artistry in our gathering will create movement in every pose!
• Sew the ruffles to a matching stretch band (just above your hips). Don’t worry, there’s a perfectly adequate amount of elastic on offer these days, but no elastic band ever beats the true French elegance of a grosgrain ribbon tied at the waist, it creates such an elegant and timeless silhouette.
• Add our finishing touch – the lavender ribbon, sewn daintily to the band and allowed to hang down gracefully. It’s those subtle flourishes that give our tutu the je ne sais quoi!

Now darling, practice a beautiful plié before a mirror, and admire how the new skirt sways with each movement! The light should gently catch the lace and ribbon, sending shimmer across the studio floor, a delightful reflection of the vision we had.

The most beautiful tutus and leotards will be made with the purest of love, darling, a dash of daring, and the vision of elegance to create a look of artistic expression – that's how you create true Parisian inspiration, darling, and with a touch of panache, make our vision come alive!