Oh darlings, how exciting it is to be back with you again! A new season, a new dawn! The daffodils are finally popping through, the air is fresh and crisp and... what? My tutu's already snagged? Well, the curse of the dance costume strikes again, as it always does. That's why I thought this month we'd dedicate some time to the glorious, the infuriating, the often-maddeningly-practical world of ballet costumes, darling! After all, what would a performance be without them? The art, the beauty, the elegance of the dance - everything would be completely lost, wouldn't it?
Let's get down to brass tacks, darlings - for a girl, nothing quite compares to the thrill of trying on a new tutu for the first time! Especially one that is just made for your body! We have such high expectations, darling! But sometimes, well... a girl needs a bit of a reality check! Let's explore the world of ballet costume fashion right here, right now. What is new for Spring/Summer 2008? What are the hot new trends in tights? And what must-haves do we need in our dressing rooms to bring our routines to life?
First off, I have to talk about **Paris**, simply for the audacity! The **Paris Opera Ballet** - dare I say it - really know how to put on a show. Think colour, darlings, **colour**! Lush silk satins that move and drape and flow, a rainbow of shades that is almost obscene! Yes, obscene in the best possible way. These dancers move through the space, each a canvas on their own, the lighting picking up all the subtleties in the silk and chiffon, making them almost appear to be shimmering in some ethereal light show. And speaking of lighting... did I mention the rhinestones?! Oh my! The Parisian love for glitter isn't new, but the **Paris Opera** always take it to a whole new level. Each piece is practically adorned in little jeweled embellishments, making those **Corsairs** look even more stunning than ever! My personal favourites this season are the **Grand Pas Classique** tutus, which always evoke that timeless glamour and romance we crave in a show. I simply die for those impossibly soft and voluminous skirts.
**London** always manages to capture a sense of history, a little more stately, dare I say, and yes, undeniably classy. This season, there was an emphasis on the use of more natural fabrics. Linen, silks, cotton - the **Royal Ballet** seemed to choose to present the dancers almost like works of art - elegant, almost delicate and slightly bohemian! My favourites? Those pale pink **Giselle** costumes, always breathtaking! There's something about a white bodice contrasted with that beautiful soft pink skirt that's almost impossibly lovely! And, I've just gotta mention those stunning *Margot Fonteyn* costume replicas that were recently reintroduced to the **Royal Opera House**. They brought back such a glamorous period for ballet and remind me that every year we revisit these classic works, we add something new and something different, with respect for the beauty of those early masterpieces.
In **New York** I find there’s always a real sense of edge, darlings. And dare I say, an undeniable energy! Those bold, fearless **New York City Ballet** dancers. Everything feels slightly rebellious and unconventional. This year they’re showcasing the daring use of dark textures - like rich velvets and satins with that subtle shine that I adore. They really push the envelope! One example that stood out? A recent performance of the **Black Swan** costume from **Swan Lake**. It was simply sensational! They used the deep black velvet bodice, which, let me tell you, truly flattered the dancers' curves and offered a beautiful play of light, just breathtaking!
Speaking of textures, **Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre** takes a more classical approach and they really know how to showcase the more romantic aspect of classical dance with those elegant bodices! They play with lace and the luxurious velvet, and I love how they work that into the tutu - creating so much fluidity with every step and leap! There is something incredibly dramatic about their use of crimson velvet - and who can forget those spectacular, traditional Russian designs? All those detailed embroidered pieces with gorgeous crystal jewels. **Bolshoi** truly understands how to weave beauty into a classical, traditional style. They give it that edge of the mystical and the almost ethereal, as if the dancers are performing on a stage with a starry night above. Truly spectacular!
It would be unfair not to mention the rising talents across Asia. For a long time now, the world has been taking notice of the **Tokyo Ballet**. Their unique ability to weave traditional Japanese artistry and culture into their costume design. Their attention to detail, to using local fabrics and techniques makes their ballet costumes quite unique and very, very lovely! I particularly love the use of silks, as they almost dance with the movement of the dancers and allow the light to filter through the fabric. Such a special visual impact.
But I’m also watching the dancers of **Seoul’s National Ballet Company** - such beautiful and delicate silhouettes. The dancers seem to take on such a mystical, airy feel when I see their outfits. You know that sense of purity and graceful strength that truly captivates your imagination?
Now let’s be practical, darlings! You can’t talk about ballet costumes without mentioning the **essentials**! From leotards to tights, shoes and warm-up wear, I always want a collection that is flattering, but above all else, comfortable and functional. This is an industry built upon quality - on precision and performance, and it's worth remembering the real heroines: **the creators, the designers and seamstresses**, the ones who bring our routines and performances to life!
Speaking of **essentials**, I love myself a good **leotard**. This season, the focus has shifted away from that bright, almost childlike colour that we so often see. It's about dark, rich colours now - deep plum, navy blues, emerald greens. It creates such a classic silhouette. Of course, we must still have our lovely shades of pinks, blues, and those rich burgundy tones. And the necklines, darlings - it's all about keeping things simple and functional, not overly revealing - yet stylish and practical. I'm absolutely obsessed with **Capezio**, darling - I can't even tell you the variety! Their leotards really stand out - whether it's their classic 'convertible' design, offering a lovely choice of different necklines for rehearsal or performance - or their amazing **"mesh" leotards**, a real new trend offering a different sort of transparency and texture to our bodies. It's so wonderfully flattering.
But when it comes to our beloved tights, there’s no point denying - **Bloch** have absolutely stolen my heart. Their designs offer us a range of everything from our go-to **footless tights** in all colours, with all their varied options and colours, to a wonderful selection of foot tights and leggings in all their beautiful silky tones. My favourite? **"Seamless" tights**, especially in a darker colour - those sleek black, dark plum, deep burgundy tones are just everything I need! And of course, nothing beats a **good quality footless** tights - nothing, my dear, nothing. We have to get them for our pointe shoes, and the options available now are unbelievable, darlings! And let’s not forget our beautiful, warm-up tights for rehearsals!
We cannot neglect the glorious **shoes**, darlings. Oh, how I adore pointe shoes! Nothing completes a performance quite like a good pair of pointy shoes! **Bloch** never lets me down, with their flexible designs and options, while **Grishko** offer something stronger and a little sturdier for those jumps and turns that make our legs soar. These beautiful leather and satin shoes really complement our costumes and really help bring our performances to life, adding those subtle details of sophistication that elevate a simple routine to something spectacular. There are so many choices these days in the world of toe shoes! We have options for all feet, in a multitude of styles to cater to everyone, depending on our skill levels and the particular type of ballet we're working with.
Now, darling, there’s a very simple truth in the world of dance – you really do have to get your own dance costume essentials just right, and it doesn't have to break the bank! If you're looking to invest in some basics this season, I can offer some recommendations - there are so many excellent brands available at prices for all budgets, darlings. Just remember, it’s always wise to invest in those essentials – your **leotards**, your **tights** and **shoes** should always be top quality, even if you’re opting for a less extravagant costume.
This season, dear reader, is all about looking fantastic. What better way to start your springtime than by investing in a few key costume pieces that can help you blossom into the radiant dancer you are! Keep an eye out for the hottest styles - and never forget - **comfort and quality** are key to a successful ballet performance.