Oh darling, it's official: the world of ballet is utterly bonkers! I'm not just saying this to be dramatic, though let's be honest, I wouldn't mind being a bit dramatic, right? After all, drama is what keeps us entertained and fashion is our forte! So buckle up your leotards and let me fill you in on the latest scandal from the world of twirls and arabesques. It's all happening!
Prepare to be surprised, dearies. 20 August 2006? This, apparently, is the day ballet finally went off the rails. Why? Well, the **Ballet Bootleg Ball** happened, of course! Picture it: a wild gathering of ballet dancers, each sporting a dazzling, meticulously-chosen, but completely un-ballet-like ensemble! Pink tutus? Check. White tutus? Check! But paired with what, you ask? Think ripped fishnet tights, leather jackets, Doc Martens, even, shock horror, trainers.
These daring, revolutionary, let's be honest slightly bonkers, dancers decided that enough was enough! They were fed up with the constricting, stifling, completely predictable world of tights and leotards. Time to break free, right? Who can blame them? This brave band of tutu warriors wanted to make a statement!
They didn't want to be limited by the traditions of their art! I get it. Who wants to be told how to express themselves? Well, according to some "respectable" critics, the Ball was a sartorial disaster. Apparently, you're meant to keep it all very "elegant", "classical" and "refined." My word, talk about restrictive. They think ballet is some rigid, dusty old book with absolutely no room for anything even remotely exciting!
Well, darling, I can't be part of this restrictive world. Give me fashion that pushes boundaries, that has some zing to it! We need a little fun and, dare I say it, *personality*! In the age of Beyonce and Zendaya, the dance world simply had to find a way to make their wardrobe less 'Grandfather clock' and more 'Grandfather, are you ready to boogie?'.
What did this rebellions troupe do? Let's not mince words, darling: they went wild!
The Bold, The Beautiful and The Absolutely BIZARRE- Imagine: A blushing bride waltzing, or perhaps *strutting*, down the aisle, only to have her perfectly-coordinated bridesmaid team wearing punk rock clothing! We're talking chains, fishnet, leather, and ripped trousers - oh, the drama!
- Think the 1920s but make it fashion! A shimmering, elegant, Art Deco-inspired white tutu, but not with classic ballet flats. No! Instead, paired with an absolutely dazzling, showstopping pair of feather boa-decorated platform stilettos.
- A troupe of ballerinas sporting sequined, neon green tutus? That's just the start, my dear! And get this: they accessorized with feathered headbands and thigh-high fishnet stockings, in clashing colors!
- Now, if you thought white was the only colour of choice in the ballerina world, think again. There was a stunning (or at least audacious) green, feathered tutu, paired with an eye-catching, glittering gold mask. Just when you thought the green was bold enough, she went for the glittery, oversized, gold sunnies, adding the ultimate cool factor!
- We've got ballet shoes, yes, but then, think bright yellow with black stripes. Forget those soft and dusty dance floors. These daring, rebellious dancers dared to strut on pavements. Forget a theatre, it's all about an art installation now. Don't you think that's simply inspired?
But here's the thing, darling. As a woman who is both utterly glamorous and wildly outspoken (and by "wildly outspoken" I mean I might just add a couple of glitter bomb attacks to the usual vocabulary) I think, perhaps, we all have a little rebel in us!
So darling, what's next for ballet? The fashion revolution has begun. Just think: maybe ballet shoes paired with chunky platform sneakers might be just around the corner. Perhaps next season we'll have tulips topped with mini top hats, complete with feathers, glitter, and sequins! If you want to find an event as exciting as that, you just need to follow me on Instagram.