Oh darling, can you believe it? It’s October the 10th, 1997! And guess what? Ballet is simply *swooning* with excitement! Yes, you heard me right, my darlings, ballet is the hottest thing on the dance scene right now and everyone's talking about it.
First, **the news**. Let's talk about tutus! I simply adore them, don't you? They are, as we all know, an absolute necessity in the world of ballet. They embody so much elegance, fluidity and romanticism, don't you think? And it seems the powers that be in ballet are fully on board with that. The Royal Ballet just unveiled an absolutely stunning new production of "Swan Lake" this week and guess what they did? They replaced those dreadful pale pink tutus in the "White Swan" scene with... gasp, darling! … Absolutely breathtaking **black** tutus! Black, my dears, **black!** Just imagine it - the exquisite contrast against the stark whiteness of the stage, the mystery and the elegance, the way the black fabric would shimmer and move under the stage lights… divine! I'm simply beside myself! I couldn't resist scooping up a black tutu of my own in Selfridges after the performance - it's simply essential for any discerning ballerina to have a black tutu in her collection these days. And while we are on the topic of tutus… let’s not forget that iconic “pink tutu” worn by the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker". Oh my! It’s been said that a single diamond on the tutu of a Sugar Plum Fairy in the famous "Waltz of the Flowers" sequence in "The Nutcracker" cost as much as a Rolls Royce! A small price to pay, wouldn't you say, to be the centre of attention as the fairest fairy on stage!
I am thrilled by the modern take on this classic. It simply demonstrates that ballet isn’t just a rigid tradition - it’s evolving, adapting to the times, all the while embracing its glorious history. Now, as a matter of fact, the Royal Ballet's interpretation of "Swan Lake" was absolutely magnificent, simply the epitome of grace, poise, and athleticism. The dancers, my dears, looked utterly breathtaking in those black tutus. It is said that some dancers who are considered to have an outstanding performance can be whisked off backstage after their performance by talent spotters who are eager to recruit them into prestigious companies like The American Ballet Theatre. The ballet world is, you see, darling, a very cutthroat business!
Speaking of ballet, we all have to admit, **the world of fashion and the world of ballet have so much in common!** Don’t you think so? Both involve exquisite craftsmanship, breathtaking beauty, and a deep appreciation for the art of movement, elegance and flow. It’s not simply a coincidence that some of the most celebrated fashion designers like Yves Saint Laurent were heavily inspired by the grace and beauty of the balerina when creating their designs. We are simply a world away from the old “traditional" and "serious" world of ballet where only “serious dancers” who came from “the right backgrounds” could aspire to success! And what could be better than an evening of ballet - perhaps at Covent Garden, the jewel of London, my darling? It's simply an unforgettable experience. Watching these magnificent bodies, these graceful athletes - dressed in these beautiful, elaborate costumes - moving with so much passion, grace and control. Simply magical!
Now, when choosing an outfit for a ballet, there is always the classic dilemma – should one go all out in a glamorous gown, perhaps a show-stopping Dolce and Gabbana masterpiece that wouldn’t look out of place at a Hollywood première or go for a more “chic but classic” look? There is, as always, a fine line between looking too grand and not glamorous enough… I think a perfect compromise, my darlings, would be a Chanel suit in a divine shade of deep grey or navy. Then simply add some sparkle in the form of an elegant clutch bag with a touch of diamond sparkle. It is important to consider that, while a ballet is all about “high drama” one must always ensure that the audience, and indeed, your own eyes, can remain focused on the stage. Oh darling, I could go on and on about this fascinating, fabulous world, but I’ll let you enjoy it for yourself.
Here are just a few reasons why ballet is so fantastic today, darling:
- The tutus – are we not in awe of the beautiful tutus, the layers, the textures? simply sublime!
- The costumes, of course – a magnificent expression of all things creative!
- The talent – such poise, grace, athleticism, artistry. We have so much to be proud of.
- The spectacle – the theatrical experience - you have to admit it's all just rather enchanting.
- Ballet is more accessible today. All you have to do is visit a local ballet school, even if it’s a little far to see these young athletes and their incredible talent!
Well my darlings, that is all for now. Enjoy! I must dash. I have a date with a lovely young ballet dancer. Oh darling! You know, just an ordinary day for me!