Darling, it's time to get swept away into the enchanting world of ballet costume design! We are diving headfirst into a breathtaking journey across the globe, dissecting the most captivating looks that are gracing the stages of our favourite dance companies.
For our April issue, let’s talk fashion darling, let’s talk tulle. My favourite time of year for the fashion set as we leave winter behind and spring blossoms into its full, colourful glory. The stage explodes with exquisite tutus in vibrant shades of rose, buttercup and sky blue and a sea of floral motifs, befitting of our favourite season. We are truly spoiled by the most sumptuous fashion.
Of course, we simply must begin our tour in the birthplace of ballet, Paris. Here at the *Palais Garnier*, the quintessential tutus are always divine. Their traditional designs are a symphony of layered tulle and shimmering satin ribbons, epitomizing Parisian elegance, timeless in its beauty, they are pure fairytale. And who can forget the iconic designs of Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld - two iconic designers who transformed the *Opéra de Paris* into a dazzling wonderland of haute couture! They remain timeless classics, effortlessly blending traditional technique with breathtaking artistry.
Let’s take a trip over the English channel darling and journey to the magnificent Royal Ballet, based in the iconic Covent Garden. Here we witness the glorious *Sleeping Beauty* tutus – a vision of romance, each princess a beacon of exquisite design, adorned with delicately embroidered silk flowers and cascading pearl necklaces. For my own tastes, the *Swan Lake* Odette tutus here at the Royal are truly outstanding - the precision, each hand sewn layer with its individual shimmer truly is spectacular, there is nothing as captivating in all of the ballet world.
Crossing the Atlantic, we arrive at the pinnacle of American ballet. The *New York City Ballet* is world famous for its sleek and contemporary aesthetic. Its tutu's, often fashioned from layered tulle, sometimes sculpted into beautiful sculptural shapes. These bold and abstract designs are the epitome of cutting-edge chic. I remember once being floored by an ingenious *Swan Lake* costume that included a beautifully constructed feathered cape, creating a feeling of effortless movement and power. I mean the precision in that design! Absolutely groundbreaking. There was a buzz about it afterwards that simply couldn’t be contained.
The beauty of our ballet fashionistas is their adaptability. We don’t just need a simple tutu. The *American Ballet Theatre* reinvents our favourite stories through modern costume designs that celebrate dance and showcase the sheer beauty of the female form. It has become known for experimential design, that blends exquisite, sheer fabrics, intricate hand-beaded details and architectural shapes that add drama and captivating flow. This makes them stand out from other troupes - their designs are always memorable, bold statements that are perfect for today’s theatre scene.
Ballet has a beautiful connection with all of our cultures, let’s look towards the Orient and admire the magnificent beauty of Japanese Ballet, the artistry and tradition which takes a different approach. They have incredible, rich silks - bold and extravagant designs, incorporating intricate traditional Japanese motifs like cherry blossoms and mythical creatures and showcasing an exquisite elegance that is totally enchanting. These designs transport us directly into their rich culture. This is where my love for dance crosses into artistry – what beautiful pieces of art we can discover here.
Then there’s Russia! We can’t leave out the *Bolshoi*, that beautiful venue, one of the world's most prestigious companies, who hold tradition close and create designs that truly represent the soul of classical ballet. I love the way the exquisite use of embroidery is always on full display in their tutus, delicate details are masterfully incorporated in all the garments – for this company, it's about meticulous, hand crafted design. I have heard stories that many garments for the *Bolshoi* take months and months of construction!
All these beautiful pieces have given us so many iconic looks! For me, a tutu really captures that special energy for the theatre. A good tutu allows dancers to move effortlessly while maintaining a breathtaking aesthetic that just explodes into life on the stage. And who can argue that when the lighting catches the shimmer in the tulle, the dancers are at their absolute most magical? They radiate the purest of all beauty.
This beautiful, ephemeral artform deserves to have an audience of fashion lovers as much as any couture runway and I can’t get enough of this incredible journey of creativity, which is only made better when all of these talented costume designers add their exquisite touches.
Darling, we are truly spoiled with this beautiful world that’s around us, we can watch some of the best dancers in the world grace our stages while donning these magnificent creations, which add another dimension of beauty to their captivating moves. Each piece tells a story, expresses a unique vision and adds to that mesmerizing theatre experience which we all love so dearly.
This month’s trends
The ballet world loves a beautiful piece of fabric, which just oozes glamour and sophistication. Tulle still leads the way and is as popular now as ever, creating these beautifully structured garments, but in 2001 designers have had some fun playing with fabric weights. They are often combined with lightweight silks that are hand sewn into flowing lines and draped patterns, creating these ethereal, stunning and free-flowing movement and that elegant touch, allowing the dancer to really move freely with it, but creating that fabulous design impact for audiences.
A few more must-sees
For any ballerina with a taste for the modern and innovative, look out for the Dutch National Ballet who have these breathtaking futuristic designs that showcase bold colours, sculptural shapes, giving their costumes a new level of futuristic grandeur and bringing them to life in the most incredible ways.
And for those of you looking for real detail in those exquisite tutus, you must head to the *San Francisco Ballet*, whose creative costumes blend modern techniques with traditional details, crafting truly striking pieces that are simply breathtaking. Don’t forget those signature hand-beaded patterns and exquisite feather work.
Beyond the stage
Of course, a passion for fashion and creativity extends beyond the stage darling. The ballet world loves its vintage and, as we all know, fashion recycles so a ballet fan will find herself adding exquisite vintage dance shoes or vintage jewellery for those elegant dinner events - the inspiration doesn’t stop with costumes - so it is no surprise that ballet’s impact can be seen all over our wardrobes and accessories, especially as these designers get more adventurous with their materials and details! It has an impact on everyone's favourite designers!
Let’s keep talking trends and keep those dancing shoes ready for a night at the ballet!