Darling, August! Such a gloriously decadent month. With summer drawing to a close, thereâs a palpable excitement in the air, a sense that the season of grand ballets, lavish premieres and fabulous galas is upon us. Of course, the highlight for me this August is the return of the iconic Giselle to the Royal Opera House. And speaking of iconic, there's one thing I can't help but obsess over this month â the costumes! You know me, always a connoisseur of beautiful things, and a good dance costume just elevates a performance to another level.
This season is positively bursting with gorgeous creations. It seems every choreographer, designer, and prima ballerina is vying for a spot on the âmost stunning costume of the yearâ list. The creativity on display is simply divine! Letâs delve into some of the must-see pieces that are gracing the stages of the world.
Paris â A touch of Parisian Chic:
Paris, darling, is where you find a real Parisian touch â bold, timeless and a hint of danger! For La Sylphide at the OpĂ©ra Garnier, this season's new costumes were simply breathtaking! A whisper of romanticism and ethereal elegance, crafted by the legendary designer Jean Paul Gaultier. I love how they were so light and flowing, with delicate touches of embellishments. They allowed the dancers to really embrace the spirit of the ethereal Sylph. My personal favorite, however, has to be the costume for the leading male character. A mix of dark tailored trousers, a billowing, almost Grecian inspired top, and an almost invisible, sheer shawl? Divine! A little less romantic, but no less striking, is the reimagined âCarmenâ at the Paris OpĂ©ra. Those bright reds and passionate flamenco-inspired outfits on the corps de ballet are simply electric, and that iconic black costume on Carmen â I just canât get over the dramatic sheer panelling on that one!
You just canât get that same bold, artistic vision outside Paris!
London â Classic English Beauty
Now, when it comes to traditional ballet, London is the undisputed queen! Itâs about classic beauty and grace â no wonder why The Royal Balletâs costumes always captivate me. Letâs start with their iconic production of Swan Lake, a ballet as beautiful and majestic as the lake it is named for! Those stunning tutus for Odette and Odile, in pure white and a mesmerizing black, respectively, they always get my heart racing. It's timeless perfection, darling, perfectly balancing fluidity and structure, letting each dancer's form shine! I especially love the featherwork for the swanâs costume! So exquisitely crafted â I hear the Royal Ballet have a secret team of feathery master craftspeople, quite hush-hush it all is. And then thereâs the corps de ballet; imagine it, perfectly crafted tutus in delicate pastel shades, all swirling and flowing like the lake itself. It really is the very epitome of grace and femininity. And it's simply impossible to talk about English costumes without mentioning The Nutcracker. This year, it was all about an interesting play on the classic, adding hints of steampunk and vintage styles. The Nutcracker's costume was just so cute - those little brass buttons and whimsical design! I must confess, though, the Snow Queenâs diamond-encrusted ensemble nearly stole the show. You have to see it for yourself to believe it. Simply divine.
New York City - Opulence meets Urban Glamour
Now, what can I say about New York City but the epitome of bold, powerful dance and fashion? They're not afraid to push boundaries, and letâs face it, New York knows how to put on a show. At the New York City Balletâs spring Jewels, they went all out. One of my personal highlights is the third and final act âEmeralds,â the costumes were simply breathtaking - opulent emerald-green velvet with an artistic and luxurious touch. Each dancer looked absolutely radiant. They did some incredible work with layering too. It was just a beautiful way to express the opulence and femininity of the Emerald ballet. Speaking of beauty, the costumes of the New York City Balletâs production of Sleeping Beauty are not to be missed! Those bright reds and blues, all set off with a luxurious golden embellishment - theyâre utterly glamorous. And then we have those stunning ball gowns for the Sleeping Beauty - all with delicate tulle and intricate embellishments. The dancers in their gorgeous outfits are quite frankly, magical.
My oh my, but I could write volumes about the beautiful designs and fabrics from around the world. It seems as though weâve truly entered an era of sartorial genius! You simply cannot underestimate the impact of a fantastic dance costume. The way the costume perfectly blends with the dance movements to enhance the beauty and power of each step⊠it's a truly wondrous synergy, you know? But of course, I canât go into everything â it would take forever. It would need its own magazine - one I could call âFashion, Form and the FinalĂ©â - now thatâs an idea. Well darling, I simply must be off â it's a dress rehearsal for âGiselle.â I hear those costumes are just spectacular â you can expect a full-blown, fashion and ballet review of the piece, here on the site very soon.
Other Exquisite Finds Around the World
Here are a few more costume delights you simply must see:
* Moscow, Russia: I can't resist a nod to the Russian ballet's costumes â the traditional designs of âSwan Lakeâ and âSleeping Beautyâ are so utterly elegant and, well, ârussian.â Their focus on craftsmanship, exquisite embroidery, and detailed beading make the costumes a work of art in their own right. * Milan, Italy: I adore how the costumes of âRomeo and Julietâ are a real feast for the eyes â rich, opulent velvets for the ball scene, beautifully crafted. You have to look closer, to notice how many details the designer has put into each fabric and texture. Just gorgeous. * Madrid, Spain: I always look forward to watching flamenco ballet â those dresses with layers upon layers of frills and bright colours â so mesmerizing!
It really doesn't matter what country youâre in, there are costumes to enchant the soul! This year has been a remarkable one for dancers around the world to explore both traditional and experimental styles, which has created some truly phenomenal costumes to admire and be inspired by. I feel that a new sense of energy has swept the world of dance and weâre all here for it.
The next few months will surely see more incredible performances. Let me know your favourites! As always, darling, I must remind you, keep your eye on the style and let the rhythm move you! You never know where this monthâs dance inspiration will take you.