Christmas Ballet in 2023

Hey darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballet blogger, back with another Christmas-themed post! As the snowflakes start to fall and the aroma of mince pies fills the air, it's time to get in the festive spirit with a delightful delve into the magical world of Christmas ballet!

This year, I'm particularly excited to be exploring the captivating world of ballet from a historical perspective, tracing the evolution of Christmas ballet traditions. With every shimmering tutu and graceful pirouette, I'm discovering how this art form has woven its way into the hearts of audiences, transforming festive celebrations with its enchanting magic.

This festive season, I'm on a mission to share my love for all things ballet and sprinkle a little pink tutu magic across the world. After all, Christmas is about giving and spreading joy - what better way than with the gift of ballet?

So, grab your favourite festive beverage, settle into a comfy spot, and let's dive into this sparkly journey!

As we travel back in time to the early 19th century, we find the seeds of Christmas ballet traditions blooming in Russia. Ballet was already a national obsession, a vibrant cultural phenomenon sweeping across the Tsarist Empire. However, it was during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I that ballet truly embraced its festive potential.

With a passion for pageantry and elaborate celebrations, the Tsar and his court saw the potential of using ballet as a tool for spectacle and political intrigue. In 1845, the world premiered "The Sleeping Beauty" - a whimsical story brimming with charm, romance and delicate artistry. The ballet, with its fairy tale theme, proved incredibly popular at the Imperial Court and became an integral part of Christmas festivities. This lavish production, bursting with stunning scenery and sumptuous costumes, showcased the Tsar's wealth and power and was instantly considered a triumphant Christmas tradition.

The festive spirit of "The Sleeping Beauty" didn't just extend to the narrative; it also embraced the captivating realm of ballet fashion. From the dazzling crown of Aurora, the heroine, to the delicate embroidery on the tutu worn by the Lilac Fairy, each element served as a miniature work of art, perfectly encapsulating the essence of a joyous Christmas.

This, my loves, was the first spark that ignited a trend we see in full bloom today - the irresistible marriage of Christmas and ballet fashion. It's something we will revisit later in the post - just you wait, you'll see some seriously stunning examples from recent shows and contemporary designers who are using fashion to weave their magic.

The 20th century witnessed a beautiful convergence of tradition and contemporary trends in ballet. "The Nutcracker", written by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, premiered in 1892 in Saint Petersburg. This magical journey through a fantastical world became an instant classic, taking Christmas ballet to new heights of international acclaim. "The Nutcracker" with its story of Clara's journey through a world of magic and sweets, continues to be performed across the globe during the holiday season, spreading joy and wonder with every performance. It's the perfect mix of magical and festive, so elegant, but not stuffy - the kind of Christmas ballet we all dream of seeing at least once in our lives, wouldn't you agree?

The early 20th century was an era of creativity and artistic experimentation. This translated into the world of ballet as choreographers and designers embraced new perspectives, blurring the lines between tradition and modernity. Choreographers, like George Balanchine and Vaslav Nijinsky, introduced groundbreaking styles that blended classical elements with modern aesthetics, adding new layers of depth and meaning to Christmas ballet productions.

With new choreographic styles emerging came an evolution of the ballet fashion aesthetic. We started to see bolder colour palettes, innovative fabric textures and playful use of silhouettes. This marked a transition away from the strict, traditional forms of classic tutus towards a more expressive and experimental fashion scene. It's amazing to see how this exploration of fashion pushed the boundaries of ballet and brought it closer to the fashion world of our time.

The use of practical fashion that merged style and practicality reached a peak during the 1930s. It wasn’t just the costumes that were undergoing a transformation. The ballet shoes evolved too. This era witnessed a shift from soft, satin slippers to sturdier ballet shoes with sturdy construction and supple leathers. Think delicate satin, but more supportive! The ballet shoes took on a modernity that reflected the times, with a strong focus on functionality.

During this era, it was very important to embrace a bold fashion sense that challenged the conventions of the past. These fashion choices not only gave ballet a more dynamic aesthetic but allowed the dancers to move more freely with power and precision - giving ballet a whole new edge.

From the captivating storybook wonder of "The Nutcracker", the sweeping beauty of "The Sleeping Beauty", to the dramatic passion of "Swan Lake", Christmas ballet has always had a strong hold on audiences worldwide. Today, we can witness a kaleidoscope of exciting Christmas ballet traditions blossoming across the world.

From innovative performances that seamlessly blend storytelling with multimedia technology to contemporary reinterpretations of classic ballets with a fresh modern flair, the ballet scene is buzzing with energy. If you haven't explored the world of Christmas ballet for a while, prepare yourself, you are in for a delightful treat. Let’s peek into some of the magical and stunning contemporary ballet productions of Christmas:

First on our list is "The Nutcracker", and with the advent of innovative choreography and stunning modern stage design, this ballet continues to captivate hearts around the globe. I have just got back from a Christmas ballet in the beautiful, historical town of Buxton in Derbyshire. The setting for this beautiful show was exquisite - and of course, I loved the opulent costumes - oh, they were just so breathtaking.

"The Nutcracker", like all great Christmas ballets, captures the essence of this wonderful season, its music a rich tapestry of melody that blends the heartwarming spirit of the season with the sophisticated elegance of ballet. "The Nutcracker" has an almost magical quality, with each pirouette, every chassé, a delightful escape into a world of sweet delights and magical moments - it truly is the gift of Christmas!

I recently went to "Swan Lake" at The London Coliseum - wow - what a show! It was simply staggering, I’ve seen this ballet so many times - it never fails to impress. They put on such an exceptional performance! I love the timeless charm and ethereal beauty of "Swan Lake", and this modern, updated production really emphasized the storytelling side of ballet in such an artistic, emotional and creative way - truly inspiring.

From the breathtaking costumes and makeup, which emphasized a sophisticated, artistic yet modern aesthetic to the dramatic portrayal of the characters - you were taken on a mesmerizing emotional journey.

As a dedicated fashionista, I can't forget the beautiful ballet shoes that featured in the ballet and the exquisite designs of the tutus - every element brought a modern approach to "Swan Lake", keeping the ballet's history in the heart of it.

Ballet fashion is not just about dazzling costumes. As a ballerina with a passion for street fashion, I'm also a fan of the trend towards incorporating ballet-inspired street fashion into the everyday look. From "balletcore" styles like pink tutus (pink being my favourite, of course) worn over leggings to the elegant ballerina shoes, balletic trends are everywhere and merging with streetwear trends!

Think elegant cropped sweaters worn with leather-look ballet boots, for example. For me, it is fantastic to see ballet embracing streetwear, especially since fashion inspires me and the street itself gives me opportunities to share my love for ballet, I often perform in the streets, wearing my most striking pink tutu - it brings a little magic to the world and encourages others to see the ballet in everyday life!

I feel it is the perfect blend of elegance and urban grit! Ballet-inspired street fashion is breaking down the barrier between the ballet stage and the wider world, taking balletic elements and using them to inspire people in everyday life. If you can wear ballet on the street, why not wear it in everyday life?!

From the traditional sparkle of classic ballets to the contemporary energy of modern choreographies, the festive spirit of Christmas ballet continues to enthral and inspire audiences across the globe. And I have to say, it is the time of the year when ballet comes alive in every possible way, from stages, fashion shows to our streets, embracing both historical tradition and new, innovative elements - it is a magical experience for all.

As for me, I’m heading off now to do a little Christmas ballet shopping! My aim is to have every pink tutu imaginable, it is just too tempting to find the most beautiful ballet items for my wardrobe. But you don’t need a whole ballet wardrobe, darling, all you need to experience the Christmas ballet magic is the desire to be enthralled by dance - to let its elegant movements draw you in and leave you wanting more.

Let me know in the comments if you have had a Christmas ballet adventure this year or a memory of a ballet you enjoyed and why! Remember, if you feel inspired to put on your tutu, let me know, we will have a tutu tea party! And remember pink is the only colour for Christmas! Love Emma xx