AI Ballet Review 198

## **The Dress Rehearsal: A Look at Global Ballet Costumes** Oh, darling! October, the month that whispers of falling leaves and cosy evenings, yet somehow always makes me crave something dramatic, a touch of theatrical. This year, my autumnal mood has me thinking about all those incredible dance costumes we've seen grace the stages worldwide. Yes, I know, *so* last season! But bear with me, because sometimes the most beautiful things deserve to be admired over and over. Let's begin our journey with a trip to Russia. Ah, **the Bolshoi**, home to a certain refined grandeur. This year, they’ve been treating us to an opulent *Swan Lake* production, showcasing the traditional white tutus – always a favourite! And oh, those hand-sewn details! Each one seems to capture the delicate fluffiness of swan feathers, reminding me of a couture gown fit for a ballerina queen. Speaking of swans, let’s talk **The Royal Ballet’s* *Swan Lake* revival! While their costume designer kept the classic silhouette, there’s an elegant lightness to these new tutus, an airy feel achieved through the most delicate netting. It's not a revolution, more of a *reimagination*. It's as if they wanted the tutus to breathe with the dancers. The way the lights catch the netting, *darling*, it's almost ethereal! Moving from Europe to a more avant-garde setting, let's go straight to **the Paris Opera**. Now, those **Frenchies**, they always have such flair! For their latest *Giselle*, they went with an almost bohemian-chic look, with earthy hues of beige and gold. It's less about traditional tutu, more about flowing fabrics that seem to tell the story of a peasant girl. Oh, and that flower crown! It was *simply stunning*. It's not a look you’d see on stage anywhere else – it's incredibly *French*. It’s truly daring to embrace a different interpretation. The effect is beautifully dramatic. But the dance world isn't all about tutus and tiaras! Who could forget **The Dutch National Ballet** in *Sleeping Beauty* this year? Forget about your stereotypical princess attire – the designers embraced a bold and modern aesthetic. Forget frilly silks, these tutus were all about a geometric structure, lines, and sharp, geometric angles. The colors – oh my, *that vibrant, shocking pink!*. Such an unexpected, but frankly gorgeous, colour choice for the ballet. A *true* power move in the dance world. Now, let’s not forget the **Americans**, masters of both spectacle and technical brilliance. Take for example, **New York City Ballet**'s *A Midsummer Night's Dream*. For the fairies, think of luminous silk, swathes of pastel-coloured fabrics, and sparkling metallic touches – quite reminiscent of butterfly wings catching the early evening sunlight. Absolutely stunning! Speaking of wings, no one can quite compare to the *flying* costumes at the **National Ballet of Canada*! Their *Flight* production has a magical feeling with feather-light and seemingly weightless garments that are truly breathtaking, capturing the beauty and majesty of the creatures who inhabit our dreams. It's the perfect example of costume and dance harmonizing together in a way that evokes genuine wonder. And as for me? My own ballet company, The Nightingale, is staging our signature work, *Firebird*. You know my weakness: fire! And my design is not one for the faint of heart! The costumes will be emblazoned with bold, bright reds, yellows, and oranges, with a sprinkle of luxurious metallics that glitter and shimmer in the spotlight. Think of fiery dragon scales and blazing embers, *darling* – we're channeling the raw, burning power of the *Firebird*! And of course, the dancers will wear boots with flowing skirts that look absolutely mesmerizing when they perform their grand jetés. One might think these costumes, from around the globe, couldn't be more different. Yet, isn't that the beauty of ballet? This celebration of art and culture through dance reveals the world through the elegance of each form and shape. The artistry of costume is woven with the magic of movement. Every twist, every turn, every lift – is magnified and enhanced through the beautiful garments the dancers wear. Oh darling, they don't just tell stories; they create worlds. These costumes invite you in to a new reality. And each performance – oh, what a beautiful chance it is, to be swept away! It is the *détour* – the journey through these incredible creations, that makes our heart sing and keeps us coming back for more.