Ladies night on Tights and Tiaras

In my ballets, woman is first. Men are consorts. God made men to sing the praises of women. They are not equal to men: They are better!             -George Balanchine

Ever since Tights and Tiaras subtle beginning, we always made a point of standing up for the men in ballet, the guys that dare to take the step (pun intended) out of societies prejudices, and dance.
But today is all about the ladies!

The Ballerina is a symbol of female beauty and grace. Of course she is! There are few things on this planet more beautiful than a women dancing. Ask anyone. Today is the International Women’s Day, and to honor that day, we’re going to look at some of the greatest ballerinas through time – a tribute to dancing women, by a dancing man.

Anna Pavlova in Fokine’s solo created for her, the legendary “dying swan”.

Margot Fonteyn was one of our times greatest ballerinas, a legend. Here as Chloe

With a body custom made for ballet, Sylvie Guillem is one of our generations absolute ballerinas. Still dancing at 46, she is today a much respected modern dancer. Here as Odile from Swan Lake

Read the story of Swan Lake

Another ballerina “born for ballet” is Bolshois Svetlana Zakharova. With legs to her neck, she is the personification of ballets sometimes crazy ideals. Here she is in La Bayadere, as Nikiya

Read the story of La Bayadere

At last, my own very special lady, from a photoshoot earlier this year. The costume and sets are from Giselle.

Read the story of Giselle

After all, what is the ballet without the ladies? Not that the men doesn’t have their place in there, but those ladies.. I guess Mr. B wasn’t all stupid, after all. This is my way of appreciating the women around me, and all the ladies of the ballet, who work hard and go through pain for the audience to watch the illusion of harmony and beauty. You are truly beautiful!

Happy International Women’s Day! Ta-ta

H