Darling, August has flown by in a whirl of feathers, tutus and champagne. From the cobbled streets of Prague to the glittering boulevards of Paris, the ballet world has been alight with captivating performances. As always, September brings an air of new beginnings, a chance for creativity to bloom and to dance into a new season! Here are some of my absolute favourites from August and what to look forward to in the coming weeks! Prague National Theatre
First, darling, I simply *had* to tell you about my trip to Prague. I can’t recommend a cultural sojourn there enough - imagine Vienna in the 1800s with the chicest bohemian flare! I happened upon a delightful performance at the National Theatre. A charmingly rustic venue with immaculate acoustics and the most ravishingly talented prima ballerina. Her grace was truly exquisite, I could not take my eyes off her! The production itself, a wonderfully romantic variation of Sleeping Beauty, was refreshingly innovative! Think sweeping classical choreography, punctuated by the most divine dramatic pauses. They simply oozed drama!
The Paris Opera
After my fairytale experience in Prague, I sashayed into Paris for a whirlwind visit! This is my absolute favourite city to see ballet. I find the Parisiennes's sense of style to be just *divine*. Of course, I had to make a pilgrimage to the iconic Opera Garnier. It’s quite something, isn't it! So opulent and luxurious, but just a touch Grand Guignol. While the performance, Swan Lake, felt quite traditional, it's really quite a classic for a reason. That infamous Odette/Odile dance! Honestly, I had chills down my spine when the music stopped. So much artistry, so intense!
Royal Opera House, London
The London ballet scene, darling, is *unparalleled*. It always pushes the boundaries! The Royal Opera House this month is offering some intriguing new productions that have been receiving a great deal of buzz. Firstly, the Bolshoi Ballet company is presenting their famous *Giselle* (September 12th) – the performance has a well-deserved reputation, especially for its dazzling costumes. Secondly, I just heard that the Royal Ballet will be offering a new interpretation of ‘The Sleeping Beauty' - a must see! (September 22nd) The company's reputation for innovation always entices, and I imagine the costumes and sets for this production will be exquisite!
New York City Ballet, New York City
You can't talk about ballet without mentioning New York. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the next big ballet star was hiding amongst the glittering throngs of Manhattan! The New York City Ballet's autumn season will feature the premiere of a new piece, 'Echoes of Glass' by choreographer Alexei Ratmansky - very much in vogue! I have a good feeling this production is going to be one for the history books! My savoir-faire suggests it will be very well-received by the Manhattan set! The season also features the return of ‘Apollo,’ an iconic ballet that, well, *needs* to be seen. It will be in the repertoire until September 25th, don’t miss out!
Edinburgh International Festival
Right, the Edinburgh Festival! There's simply no more thrilling place to be when you’re on the hunt for the best, cutting edge performances. It’s just the most wonderfully eclectic affair - from world renowned theatre to up and coming musical acts. I made a real dash to the Fringe in August for their ‘Dance Nation’ strand – there was *so* much on, a delightful and invigorating experience! My favourite? Rambert Dance's performance of 'A-Mortal'. Such stunning and dramatic choreography – think high-powered ballet with an unexpected dark and intriguing tone, it’s what they are famous for, you see.
Birmingham Royal Ballet
I can’t end my cultural ramblings without mentioning a particular darling. I *must* pay tribute to the Birmingham Royal Ballet. This company, for my taste, is simply one of the best performing troupes in the world! The dancers’ performances always possess such power and grace. And their productions always offer that something extra – there’s simply nothing quite as breathtaking as a full performance of 'Romeo and Juliet'! If you have the chance to go see ‘Giselle’ ( September 9th) or ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream' ( September 17th), go for it! It’s a must!
Fashion Notes
Now to my favourite topic – fashion, darling! And, as you know, the world of ballet and fashion are intricately intertwined. Just like a well-executed arabesque, my September look is all about clean, bold lines with a touch of femininity. My staple colour palette? My all time favourites – rich browns, elegant black and that beautiful, warm terracotta. As a true fashion connoisseur, you can always find me rocking a little black dress - and when not in my stylish black ballet pumps, you’ll spot me in a statement heeled mule. For a *touch* of elegance and chic, a black, delicate gold chain belt is essential! You know me – always refined and effortlessly glamorous!
**For the coming season you want to look at...**
- The Statement Shoe: It's all about the mules darling - a sophisticated twist on your traditional footwear with a block heel or a touch of embellishment. You simply cannot go wrong with these - think pointy toes and bold colours!
- The Knit Dress: For the cooler months, knitwear is a wardrobe staple! But let's face it, you want a dress that's comfortable yet effortlessly stylish. The knit dress - especially those with a more flowing or body-hugging silhouette are just the ticket, my darling. Think elegant midi length dresses in luxurious hues!
- The Leather Jacket: This will *always* be a sartorial essential! So much so, that I think you'll find the iconic ' biker' silhouette appearing again this autumn. Just be sure to keep it chic! Team it with your favourite flowy dress or pencil skirt for a dash of coolness!
- Bold Earrings: My dears, forget those dainty stud earrings – this season calls for big, eye-catching designs. From geometric shapes to those sparkling and cascading chandelier styles! Don't be afraid to really accentuate your beauty, my dear!
So, my darlings, there you have it! My insider guide to this most exciting month for dance, and of course fashion. Remember: Always seek to inspire and empower! That's how you move, you sway and you truly create. Don't forget, my darlings - life is a dance, so make it your best show yet!