Darling readers, it’s the 8th of July, 1996. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and, frankly, the only thing that could possibly make this day any better would be a performance of Swan Lake starring yours truly (imagine the costume, *chef's kiss*). But, alas, I am but a humble columnist, not a prima ballerina. So, we must settle for the delightful news from the world of dance instead.
The story you’re about to read isn't about your average ballet performance. It's about something much more whimsical and fabulous, and as always, it all begins with those darling, iconic tutus.
This past week, darling, saw a rather shocking event. You know that iconic ballet shoe brand that we’ve all loved forever – *cue the dramatic pause* – well, darling, they dared to stray from tradition and design a ballet shoe in, of all colours, *gasp*, **blue**! The uproar from the dance world, you could say, was… well… **breathtaking**, let’s just say that.
But let's be honest, we wouldn't be writing this story if it didn’t come with an even bigger dose of fashion shock-horror. Because alongside these scandalous blue shoes, this bold new era of colour for ballet footwear was coupled with a bold statement about those legendary, and oh so fabulous, tutus. You see, this audacious shoe collection had to come with some sartorial pairings and darling, *swoon*, those pairings are nothing short of magnificent.
As you're all likely aware, tutus have their own little language, you see. And this season it is all about colour. It is an era, you see, when **pink** has gone back to its *roots*, shall we say? Yes, dear readers, it is **pale** **pink**, **white**, **powder** **pink** - a most delicate ballet, of all colours, this new era. This year is *all* about **romanticism**. And of course, no **pink**, without some **pastel** **blue** for the contrasting **dreamy** **dance**, wouldn't you say?
We saw an absolute frenzy in London at the grand unveiling of the new collections last week. Oh, the *fashions*, darling, the *fashions*. But darling, it wasn't *just* the colour, no, it was a delightful return to classic elegance. That darling, **puffball** style? Well, that's gone out the window for now and in it's place is a wonderful revival of that **slim, long and very sophisticated** silhouette, the *real* *ballerina* line, I tell you. These **tutuses** will not have **puffball**, **frills** or **bows** darling, they will just flow - gracefully and, *dare* *I* *say* it, practically.
But this *return to simplicity*, I do wonder? Some critics are now talking about it as *a step backward* for *tutu** **fashion**! A complete rejection of *tutu** **extremes* as *tutu** fashion was once so fondly loved. The more you try to understand, *tutu** **design* you find, is a mystery and an ongoing debate that leaves a *tutu* **obsessed** girl like myself with an interesting dilemma, darling.
And when you talk *extremes*, well, you only need to look back on the *90s* in *ballet*, *tut* *tut*, that wild era where **tutus** would reach unheard of heights, the larger than life and the ever extravagant and the *tutu*s of the *90s* were, you see, well they were quite literally **monumental**. So we all went a bit too crazy back then, wouldn’t you agree?
But look at where we've ended up today - all *thanks* to these bold changes – now we've arrived at this delightfully *feminine*, this **ethereal**, **elegance**. Darling, and to celebrate, one of the designers even showed off her collection in the *stunning* *light* of a **Victorian conservatory** in London's Chelsea. So romantic, darling, it would make any dancer swoon!
We *all* knew it was bound to happen eventually, and I for one am happy to see these gorgeous tutus grace the stage with the same *modern* **boldness** that made the *90s* so *memorable*. Well, let's say at least in my *memorable* ballet world. This **delicate* **new era**, dear readers, it really feels like *magic*. As if some kind, whimsical *fairy* *godmother* sprinkled glitter dust on all of it!
Just as exciting as this *return to the classical* for *tutu* *fashion* is the latest in *leotard* **news**, dear readers. Oh my! Do you know what is *extra* **special** in the **leotard** world these days? It's about the **fit**, and the **feeling** and the **luxury** and the **finish**, of the **leotard**. **Softness**. **Shine**.. That is what I am here to talk about. Let me share with you this truly **enchanting** development.
Gone are the days of stiff, uncomfortable fabrics. The **leotard** revolution has brought us something *truly* *divine*. **A** **revolution**? Well, **it** **might** **be** **a** **revolution** for the **leotard**, my dearest *fashionistas*, **it** **may** **not** be a **revolution**, but certainly the arrival of a **wonderful** **era** of comfort, style, and that beautiful **all**- **important** **luxury**.
These **new leotards** – we can call them, darling, the **second** **skin** **leotard**. Think *stretchy* **luxurious fabrics**, a little **glitter**, a touch of **bling**, all made from *silk*, **velvet**, and **mesh**. Imagine, the feel of such softness *and* the luxury it offers to your dancer as she moves across that *magnificent* **stage**! They feel *so* good on *skin*, darling!
It *feels* *very* *powerful* **now**, to know that **Leotard** **fashion** is taking inspiration from **all** **things** **comfortable**. The **perfect** *fit*, darling, this is the new age!
As you can see, darling, ballet *fashion* has gone through some *huge* transformations! From the crazy excesses of the *90s* to a modern embrace of simple elegance, the future of the **tutu** looks both promising and divine. This **revival** of **simple** **femininity**, it is *oh*, *so* **magical**!
If you're ever fortunate enough to catch a performance featuring those new **blue** **ballet shoes**, darling, make sure to watch closely for the gorgeous **white** **tut** or the exquisite **pastel** **pink** **tut** *with* those *delectable* **silk** **leotards** - they *might* *just* steal the show from the **dancers**, darlings. That’s what’s so fabulous about all of this, it’s *just* about those darling **dancing** **goddesses** looking simply, simply gorgeous!
You’ll find that it is hard to resist these *modern* **tut** *trends*, darling! What is *your* favourite style for a ballet dancer? Do let me know. And of course, if any of you have seen these delightful new creations *in the flesh* at the ballet, darling do tell me all about your experiences.
Until next time, my dear readers!