AI Ballet Review 216

Oh, darling, it’s a brand new season, spring is in the air, the lilacs are blooming, and oh my, are the costumes absolutely divine! The ballet world is always a place of such vibrant creativity, but this season, my dears, the designs have taken our breaths away. The classic lines are still there, of course, but they’re being reinterpreted in the most glamorous and modern ways.

I, for one, adore the new “soft ballerina” aesthetic. Think ethereal fabrics, flowing lines, and delicate details, all culminating in an impression of exquisite fragility. Let's start with the tutu. Forget about the traditional, stiff, stiff, stiff “cage” tutus, darlings, we’re talking fluid, featherlight fabrics, floating like a dream.

Here at the Paris Opera, the new “Les Sylphides” has truly become a showstopper with its new costuming. Imagine, if you will, tutus sculpted from a single, sheer layer of tulle. Yes, it looks entirely sheer. But it somehow miraculously gathers and twists in places, to create the most ethereal, feminine forms. You practically want to brush your fingers over it, don't you? Absolutely divine!

At the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg, the revival of “La Bayadère” brought us such gorgeous bodices! Remember how the original costumes just screamed 19th Century? These were not stiff and corseted but beautifully draping, and decorated with ornate, but very light and delicate silver and pearl embroideries. They even incorporated some slightly shimmering silk for the more mature dancers. So fabulous!

The other fabulous thing is that the designers seem to be having so much fun with the colours. You’ve got all the classics: black, white, the romantic pastels... but also the most glorious bursts of emerald, crimson, and even an absolutely gorgeous amethyst for a new production of “Giselle”. It just pops off the stage. All that luxurious, jewel-toned silk - sigh! The contrast of the amethyst bodice with the snow-white tulle is absolutely breathtaking! And as a bonus, darling, that costume actually moves beautifully in the dancing, giving such elegant movement to the most exquisite details.

You’ve got to be thinking, what about our footwear? Now here's the other thing I love about this season, darling - it’s about balance. Yes, you still see the classic satin pointe shoes with ribbon ties but then again... they're now in shades of gold and silver and blush. Absolutely stunning, darling. And you've got to be seeing this new, more modern version. Think sleek, black pointe shoes with the satin replaced by stretch mesh for even more elegant line, but still keeping that sleek, iconic profile! It really emphasises the movement and lets our lines really shine. Don’t worry darling, if they look a bit too stark they often get adorned with dazzling crystals for that extra oomph!

The trend across the world - and particularly for male dancers - is a reinterpretation of classic masculinity. This is absolutely smashing for men’s dancewear and I am in love. Think elegant fabrics that are still somehow very practical. Now I know you don’t see our men strutting around in sheer mesh tights (oh honey, wouldn't that be something!) - but the styles that they do choose, well, let's just say it's making our men look absolutely divine! I mean, a man in form-fitting leggings with beautifully sculpted detail or in elegant velvet breeches paired with a beautiful silk shirt - who can resist?

I’ve just been on a pilgrimage to Tokyo and boy was I smitten! At the Ballet theatre, I found myself falling head-over-heels for the designs of the choreographer Yuri Aoyama's ballet “Oshiroi.” Here's a little inside tip from me to you - think all things silk - in blush pink and oyster. So very elegant darling, not forgetting some gorgeous, oversized origami cranes adorning their costumes that brought out an entire sense of visual “other-worldlyness”. I swear the male costumes were so very, very masculine - almost a throwback to classic kabuki with silk, velvet, and beautifully contrasting fabrics.

Now don’t think I am only in love with the modern stuff - because the classical styles are still so timeless! A case in point? The Bolshoi. It is an icon in the world of dance and always an utter visual treat - but darling, it has also always stayed firmly on the path of the classically beautiful. And we're seeing so much more variety here. Remember how Russian ballet is often renowned for its vibrant, sometimes quite intense colors? Here, darling, they’re still vibrant, but often also very muted - using a stunning range of colors to create so much visual interest, but without sacrificing the elegant grace of classic ballet. There is a lot of detail and lots of amazing embroidery but these elements really elevate the classic looks to something quite unique - especially with its “Swan Lake” and its "Giselle”. You see just the right amount of glittering sparkle on the ballerina's costumes, just to bring that sense of majesty to the stage, don’t you? You’ll also notice they use a lot of beautiful velvets, but in these stunning shades - often rich teal and deep emeralds, or black with deep, red flashes.

But, I know what you’re thinking, “Well, darling, how do we get our hands on all this loveliness?!” The answer, of course, is simple: there's nothing quite like an expertly chosen vintage piece! My dears, a beautifully preserved costume - a bodice from a production of “Sleeping Beauty,” a magnificent tututo with perfectly aged tulle - just gives you such a special, one-of-a-kind feeling, and I absolutely adore it! If you are looking for inspiration or perhaps to get your hands on some amazing items of the art form. I suggest making a pilgrimage to a truly delightful store in the West Village called The Art of Ballet, darling! They have so many beautiful items – the quality of what they have is unbelievable. There is no end to the treasure trove you’ll find there. The store owner - darling, she's also a beautiful dancer and former prima! - is an absolute fountain of knowledge and has some amazing story behind each and every single piece. I often wander down there just for a look, but you should know that I am the owner of several beautiful and unique pieces! (And perhaps you’ll spot me in them too on occasion!)

You should also know, darling, I absolutely love a great antique boutique in Covent Garden, tucked behind one of the charmingly cobbled side streets. If you really want to dig a bit deeper you should try looking at online marketplaces and special vintage stores. The rarely-seen vintage tutu – the one you won’t be able to resist buying, is somewhere out there for you, darling!

For those of us on the go, look at online outlets - some of them are positively fantastic. Don't forget, there's so much to explore with fabrics and patterns! From velvet and tulle, from lace, satin, shimmering silk and, oh my! Don’t get me started on the glitter and sequins! We're absolutely spoilt for choice darling. For example, “DanceWearOnline” is so great if you have an online preference – they’ve got something to fit every taste. My goodness, their "Dream Collection" alone - which is just a section, has amazing and beautiful tutus in the styles that are out there now. What's more, if you are looking for something unique there’s nothing stopping you from getting it custom-made. So go on, darlings - don't just go for any old boring ballet costume. We all deserve the absolute best when it comes to style and beauty!

My darling girls - keep your eyes wide open, darling, for it’s about so much more than just “ballet.” It's about capturing an era and style and taking it into the modern. Don't worry about looking a bit, let's call it "over the top," darlings - because it is absolutely a style statement, something quite incredible.

And for those of us that feel it's absolutely a form of artistic expression – don't hesitate to break out a little glitz, and a bit of sparkle! Darling, that is why it is ballet after all! It’s not simply about just being in a tutu, or being on a stage; It's about expressing our souls, isn’t it, darling? Now isn’t that lovely?

Have a great Spring, darlings,

Xx