Darling, it's December! The crisp air nips at my ankles as I walk through the glittering, frost-kissed streets to our favourite cafe. This is the time of year for decadence, for opulent beauty and for an array of new beginnings, both on the stage and off. As we step into the season of ballet, let's take a moment to celebrate the stunning, breathtaking spectacle that is dance costume, the beautiful, bejewelled sheaths that accentuate every movement and bring life to our art.
This year, it seems as though there’s a global shift in the world of ballet costumes. Gone are the days of strictly predictable pastel pink tutus, darlings. The emphasis is on dynamic shapes, colours that command the stage, and bold artistry, designed to amplify and propel us onto a thrilling, imaginative journey, both visually and narratively.
In Paris, the city of love, passion and joie de vivre, we're seeing a bold use of bright colours, especially in costumes for Swan Lake and Giselle. The tutu, a timeless classic, has been reinvented in luscious jewel tones, from shimmering sapphire blues to ruby reds and emerald greens. The colours seem to pulse and shimmer, drawing the audience in like a captivating siren call. There's an air of romanticism woven into every stitch, of delicate floral embroideries, shimmering sequins and soft, diaphanous fabric. You can almost feel the frou-frou as these gowns glide across the stage.
Meanwhile, the vibrant dance world of Moscow, oh my! They’ve never shied away from an exciting, elaborate look. There’s a breathtaking use of textures and embellishments. Feathers, silk and even real flowers appear to cascade down their dresses. I was fortunate enough to see Sleeping Beauty at the Bolshoi this year, the costuming, particularly for the Aurora Variations, was an absolute feast for the senses.
From my little corner of the world in London, our traditional, elegant, and sophisticated approach is always on full display. The Royal Ballet’s costume design, especially the men's, is a particular point of pride for us. For those who adore the classic, graceful line, the traditional styles, there’s a touch of modern elegance woven in through minimalist textures, meticulous detailing, and unexpected, exciting pops of colour. For instance, I saw The Nutcracker this past holiday season and the costumes for the Arabian Dance - breathtaking! - the vibrant, luxurious colours and exquisite detailing perfectly capture the exotic magic of the orient.
New York City, ah, what can one say, the ultimate stage for showcasing the very cutting edge! New York embraces fearless artistic innovation. Take a look at the daring, experimental looks in the newest rendition of La Bayadère, or Romeo and Juliet! Expect unexpected combinations of fabric, dramatic cuts, sharp, striking colour, all perfectly balanced and highlighting the breathtaking lines of the dance.
But it's not just about the European capitals, darling! We’re witnessing a magnificent dance in our costumes from across the globe, each with their own individual flair.
The ballet world in Tokyo, is so very interesting. The costumes for traditional Japanese dance have a real presence on stage - with delicate floral designs, flowing kimonos with ethereal silk embroidery. We’re seeing their delicate beauty, intricate patterns, and use of colour infuse modern ballet styles with a breath of fresh air, with even tutus gaining a new dimension of beauty and intrigue through these traditional techniques. It is absolutely mesmerizing to witness.
Let's venture into the captivating beauty of Australia. Imagine a storybook land! This is where my friends the dancers in the Australian Ballet have such a stunningly distinct look! Their use of bold, colourful fabrics and flowing silhouettes, especially in ballets such as The Rite of Spring or The Firebird, are truly enchanting and whimsical, truly a celebration of the earth, sea and all that lies beneath it!
You see, the beauty of dance costumes goes beyond a simple fabric garment. It's about celebrating heritage, embracing culture and highlighting the exquisite movements that propel dancers to tell their story, and transport audiences across time and space. As we see trends evolving, changing, and even sometimes taking on a completely new direction, it's exhilarating to be a part of this ever-evolving, ever-captivating journey.
So this December, when you sit in that velvety seat at the theatre, watch and marvel. Watch as the dancers move in their majestic and delicate finery. Observe how each colour and texture echoes the emotional beats of the music and dance, the subtle hints, the flamboyant statements. It's in these magical details, you see, where we truly find our magic.
Let's delve into a few details of some of this season's standout costumes, the ones that captured my attention and sparked inspiration.
The Return of the Tutu The humble tutu has undergone a dramatic makeover. The familiar poetic, frothy silhouettes remain, yet a new energy vibrates with daring, impactful colour palettes that bring a new depth of expression. There are less constraints this year, no strict traditional white or pastels. There are bolder, more assertive shades like emeralds, sapphires and even vivid orange.
In New York’s rendition of Giselle, we saw a magnificent, layered, vibrant orange tulle, making for an unforgettable spectacle. Meanwhile, London's Royal Ballet took the world by storm this year with its innovative design choices, the Royal Opera House’s costume designer, who will always remain nameless! This is to protect her! she dared to introduce a new approach with stunning layers of translucent purple and royal blue tulle for a breath-taking, layered look in Sleeping Beauty, an artistic evolution from the classic pastel. It's an ingenious nod to history while paving the way for an extraordinary visual revolution!
The Rise of the Romantic Bodice Another strong trend has been a stunningly graceful and modern evolution of the bodice, the piece worn underneath the skirt for both men and women in the classic ballets. We’re seeing beautiful, meticulous craftsmanship - hand beading, lace, fine silks. What I especially appreciate, darlings, is how the dancers are no longer defined by their figure, rather the emphasis on accentuating each graceful line with a delicate feminine touch.
From my dear friends at La Scala in Milan - oh the sheer elegance! They’ve always been masters of the Romantic style and this year we see delicate pale rose-hued silks with embroidered pearl trim used on the bodice for La Bayadère. Then, take a look at the stunning lace and exquisite detailing adorning the women's costumes in London's Royal Opera House’s rendition of Giselle. These are not mere clothes, but rather pieces of artistic expression!
From Baroque to Bollywood
Darling, let me just say this is my favourite trend! One of the biggest fashion movements is that costuming is reflecting cultural diversity! It’s no longer just Parisian silks and Italian lace! No! Now we’re seeing beautiful, lavish, richly embroidered fabrics and textures infused in stunning creations. Take a look at the costumes used in Sydney’s Australian Ballet's rendition of La Sylphide, for instance! It’s a brilliant mashup of the traditional with the modern, the use of Australian-themed, vibrant reds and bright greens in rich, lush textiles make a fabulous impact.
In Moscow's Swan Lake, the Black Swan's costume is a revelation! They've taken the traditional black tulle and incorporated striking velvet embellishments that have a real “ancient India” feeling.
It’s no surprise that we're seeing more and more ballets using the world of Bollywood for inspiration. Imagine bold jewel tones and vibrant, iridescent textures, embellished with glittering coins and mirror work. The energy of a Bollywood ballet is electric! The vibrant costumes create a spectacle on stage.
I love it. It truly showcases a global awareness of the beauty and grace of all types of dance! And in a way, the cultural fusion allows us as dancers, and those of you in the audience, to connect with different cultures in an expressive and powerful way,
Sustainable Designs Take Center Stage As the world of dance seeks a greener path, there has been a notable movement towards sustainability, even in the world of ballet. For instance, in London, a beautiful new tradition has blossomed. Many of the companies have started to use recycled fabrics or repurposed old, discontinued garments, even going as far as creating a ‘costume library’ for ballets! This is so wonderful, and absolutely fabulous for our art form and our planet! The design community of Paris is equally proactive, we're seeing more and more use of upcycled materials in new productions.
Now, as we continue into this most beautiful season of ballet, I encourage all of you to embrace the magic that unfolds right before your very eyes. Each creation, from the lightest silk to the boldest sequined design is artfully designed to captivate and enhance our world of movement. The most glorious thing is that dance costumes can truly shift and morph, evolve, like we dancers, and this gives us an infinite sense of freedom of expression!
The stage awaits. Let the dance begin.
With love and whirlwinds,
Your Ballerina