Oh Darling, let's dance!
August, my dears, the season of lazy afternoons by the pool, languorous evenings sipping champagne beneath the moon, and, of course, a chance for us ballerinas to rest our weary toes. Yet, somehow, the whispers of the international dance scene still find their way to my Parisian haven. From the crisp air of the Bolshoi to the electric energy of New York City, August offers a tantalising array of balletic delights.
A Whirlwind of International Debutantes
Now, darling, let's be honest, a ballerina never truly rests. Just last week, I found myself at the hallowed halls of the Bolshoi Theatre, witnessing a performance so stunning, it quite literally took my breath away. The young prodigy, Svetlana Petrova, joined the esteemed company in a performance of Swan Lake, a true masterpiece of classic Russian ballet. This ethereal beauty moved with a grace and precision that sent chills down my spine. I couldn't help but wonder, has a debutante ever captivated Moscow quite like this before? She was a vision in white, each pirouette a silken whisper against the backdrop of Tchaikovsky's enchanting score. But Svetlana wasn't alone in her triumph. The entire company seemed to shimmer with a renewed vigour, a reminder of why the Bolshoi is held in such high esteem. This is a company at the height of its powers, and Svetlana's entrance was merely the icing on a very beautiful cake, darling.
Now, I must confess, I have a rather scandalous weakness for American dance. They are, after all, the darlings of the contemporary scene, always pushing the boundaries, reinventing the art form with each performance. This August, it's the New York City Ballet that is capturing my attention, and a new piece by choreographer Justin Peck called The Red Shoes. It is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's beloved fairytale and presented through a captivating narrative, complete with original music by Nico Muhly and sumptuous costumes.
- While I’ve yet to see it myself (a trip to New York is most definitely on my itinerary), the critics have been raving. It seems Peck has truly mastered the delicate balance of the classical and the contemporary. He creates a unique visual language for this classic tale.
- They say The Red Shoes is not your traditional Swan Lake or Giselle. The story is raw, emotional, and quite frankly, rather edgy. This ballet pushes the boundaries, questioning traditional choreographic norms. That sounds like my kind of evening.
- The critics also tell me it features the incredibly talented soloist, Ashley Bouder. I hear this femme fatale has captivated the dance world for years, renowned for her intense passion, fearless interpretations, and absolutely mesmerising extensions.
- With Ashley's skill, I'm convinced that this rendition of the classic fairytale will leave audiences breathless. I can already picture it: the vibrant set design, the heart-pounding score, and, of course, the electrifying presence of Ashley Bouder. It's sure to be an evening of breathtaking beauty and undeniable passion.
Speaking of mesmerising, I have a bit of a secret confession. I adore a good performance that combines the classic with a splash of the avant-garde. That is where San Francisco Ballet's "Unbound" series comes in. This series features the work of renowned choreographer Alexei Ratmansky. He is one of the most respected talents in the dance world, loved for his beautiful storytelling and for pushing the boundaries of classical choreography. Now, he's bringing a stunning new piece called The Little Mermaid. I’ve heard rumours of incredible set design and dazzling costumes – just what a seasoned dancer like myself wants to see!
Dazzling Costumes: It's a Material Girl World!
Oh, darling, how we can’t forget about fashion! I believe dance, after all, is a performance of art and haute couture. It's a marriage of the body and beautiful design, and for that, I believe our world should be praised. Take those Red Shoes. The dancers will be twirling and pirouetteing in fiery scarlet, a powerful statement of confidence. It reminds me that my Parisian closet has been calling out for some statement shoes.
And then, of course, there's the world of Swan Lake. It’s just screaming for beautiful tulles, sparkling tiaras and bejeweled slippers. If I'm going to channel Svetlana (as every true ballerina must!), I’ll be searching for a beautiful hand-painted tulle tutu, adorned with delicate crystals. And of course, darling, don't even get me started on the elegant swan's feathers!
Now, while Svetlana may have dazzled me in Moscow and Ashley may be inspiring me in New York, I have to admit that the truly exciting thing about August is what happens beyond the glittering stages and spotlights. It's the dance studios, darling! It's the long summer days spent refining technique, pushing physical boundaries, and most importantly, it’s a time for the seasoned dancers like myself to indulge in a new collection of Ballet Wear. It’s time to explore new styles, discover the latest trends and, of course, buy, buy, buy. It’s no secret: our Ballet World has been experiencing a resurgence in sport chic — think figure-hugging leotards and sporty leggings that double as the perfect outfit for after-class drinks, my darlings.
From Swan to the Streets:
- Just think of those stylishly sculpted leggings, a little bit of Lycra for that essential ballet-inspired movement, but in the colours of summer – mangoes and peaches, all beautifully paired with chic sneakers.
- Or maybe those new Ballet flats – elegant and stylish, and ideal for shopping for new leotards, you know what I mean? And I'm not just talking about those plain black flats anymore. They’re coming in all sorts of colours and patterns! A ballet flat, darling, is so much more than a ballet flat, It's an attitude. A way of moving with grace and confidence.
- It’s like the whole dance world, the backstage and the mainstage, is merging. It’s time for ballet to grace every facet of fashion.
August is all about a quiet sophistication. It's the month where I'm reflecting on my dancing. What have I learned? Where is it leading me? And how can I, through grace and elegance, improve even further?
My darling, a true ballerina isn’t about resting in August, or any month, for that matter! No. It’s about refining, about pushing yourself. About taking those hard-earned skills and weaving them seamlessly into our daily lives – it’s time for Ballet to go off stage, It's time to walk among us, It’s time to be the new norm.
I, for one, can’t wait to embrace August, in every sense of the word. Now, go get yourself some exquisite Ballet Wear – it’s time to live our best ballerina lives!
Allons-y!