Darling, itās August already! The dog days are upon us, but my heart is ablaze with the excitement of the new season! I can practically smell the velvet of the theatre seats and the faintest hint of sweat from a thrilling pas de deux! The world of ballet, like a beautiful blooming flower, has taken flight, bursting forth with exciting, innovative designs that simply take my breath away. Letās delve into the captivating realm of the tutu, darling!
This month, weāre swooning over **āThe Enchanted Forest,ā** a magnificent new production by the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet. This captivating production is a fantastical voyage into a world of whimsy, wonder, and, yes, you guessed it, absolutely exquisite costuming! Oh, the detail!
- The sylphs! My darling, these celestial creatures are a vision of ethereal elegance, clad in diaphanous tutus of shimmering silver and moonlight gauze. A single, perfect, silver star adorns each dancer's chest, reminiscent of the morning dew on a petal. Itās positively spellbinding. The fluidity of their movement is highlighted by the sheer fabric, making every twirl an art form. My heart simply fluttered during the opening sequence, and it's a moment I shall cherish forever!
- Oh, and letās not forget the seductive and mischievous woodland nymphs. Their vibrant costumes, rich in earthy hues, exude a sultry energy. Think jade and sapphire velvet, meticulously embroidered with delicate fern leaves, vines, and swirling blossoms! It's like a symphony of textures and colour, perfectly capturing the essence of this mystical forest. The sheer audacity of the costumes! Oh, to be just a bit younger and embrace that rebellious, alluring side once more!
Letās hop over the Channel to our darling English colleagues, who never cease to enchant with their unique, theatrical style! This month, the Royal Balletās āAliceās Adventures in Wonderlandā is absolutely breathtaking. The creative freedom unleashed in this production is nothing short of magical.
- Aliceās transformation is pure genius! You go from a sweet little girl in a simple white dress with a crimson sash, reflecting her innocence and burgeoning curiosity, to a queen in an imposing black gown with intricate golden embellishments, signifying her growth and defiance! You really get to see the emotional arc through her wardrobe. This attention to detail truly allows for such depth and visual storytelling!
- Speaking of storytelling! Remember that incredible scene where the Mad Hatter throws his infamous tea party? The colours! My dear, I swear the colours were practically alive on stage. Bright pink and yellow dominate, giving the whole thing a wonderful feeling of chaotic wonder! Each dancer was adorned with playful headwear and layered, asymmetrical garments that danced around them. I loved the little detail of the playing card characters who seemed to jump off the page with their bold, geometric designs. Such whimsy and ingenuity! I want to wear these looks! The colours are divine!
Across the Atlantic, the New York City Ballet is dazzling us with their daring, innovative production of āThe Nutcracker.ā The contemporary twist on the classic is truly mesmerizing! This year, the focus is on the ethereal beauty of the balletās score, and, darling, I must say the costume designer did an extraordinary job!
- Sugarplum Fairy's tutu? She was ethereal in a single, pristine white tulle tutu. The simplicity! So modern! Each movement had such beauty, so impactful, and the minimalistic design gave the ballerina so much room to express the poetry in her movement. Absolutely glorious! Youāre probably wondering if I thought the white was perhaps too minimalist? But dear, I am absolutely in love with this production and think they were bold and genius. A modern, clean look. Not overly flamboyant or unnecessarily extravagant. My cup runneth over!
- Of course, the infamous Snowflakes looked absolutely divine! No elaborate, layered tutu here! Imagine white silk ribbon woven together as if a snowflake in flight. Such artistry in motion! The subtle shimmer and subtle detail in the skirt brought the performance to life and really had a sense of the whimsical play of light and snow in their movement. It felt so fresh and yet still so beautiful!
While we are captivated by all these extravagant displays of costuming and theatrical magic, I think it is important to remember the essential elegance of the simple pointe shoe. The most remarkable thing is that the point shoe, though unassuming and understated in appearance, becomes an extension of the dancer's body, amplifying every grace and emotion! Think of it as the most fundamental ballet accessory, a true emblem of this delicate art form. In fact, many of the most captivating dance pieces Iāve seen around the world utilise these elegant shoes with no adornment whatsoever. It is the dancer's body that becomes the masterpiece.
But don't be fooled by the deceptively simple appearance, darling! It is a feat of artistry and craftsmanship to construct a pointe shoe! And this meticulous attention to detail truly translates onto the stage! Take a closer look! I know you want to.
As for myself, I'm simply dying for an elegant evening dress! Something in a deep emerald green velvet or perhaps a shimmering, champagne gold satin would simply be exquisite. My dear, I'm planning to have my own wardrobe created! Inspired by all these amazing costumes! A tribute to this incredible world. But, darling, that's a story for another time.
In the meantime, I invite you all to share your favourite costumes, new and old. Send us a letter or an email, and let's continue this wonderful conversation on ballet fashion! Until then, darlings, remember to always embrace the beauty and passion within!