As we come to speak about the truly high tea, I simply must share with you my recent experience of the avid sweet tooth and dance devotee! It was a memorable afternoon at Fortnum Mason’s – the most prestigious historical department store in Piccadilly (est. 1707), in London, outfitted with the British paraphernalia of all kinds (expect the most Fotnumesque royal style of decoration on top of Union Jacks). Fit for the coronation, fit for the Royals.
As the saying goes, It takes an athlete to dance ballet, but an artist to be a ballet dancer. And a big heart to be a great ballet teacher. My heart went boom in the lavish Victorian-style drawing room at Fortnum’s – the delightful and touching ballet performance of little ballet angels from Natalia Kremen’s renowned London’s ballet school and the fundraising event of her NK ballet foundation showcasing a dance divertissement in the best tradition of a classic ballet school! It was a delightful moment to feel almost the same as the great Edgar Degas might have experienced in the famous ballet classes of the Paris opera: witnessing of the aesthetics, the beauty of movements and the artists’ expression. I had this feeling of a “star is born” moment as Natalia’s young talented student Alicia Pin performed her version of the famous “Dying Swan” from “Swan Lake” en pointe. Due to its difficulty and prestige, the technically and artistically demanding double role of Odette (White Swan) and Odile (Black Swan) is one of the most difficult in all of ballet. It is an aspiration for many ballerinas: beautiful things don’t come easily as they demand perseverance from the dancer. This little angel of dance, the ”baby ballerina” is on the way to her big career and is enrolled now at National Dutch Ballet academy. The NK foundation made it possible for this girl. For Natalia the foundation is her life. Ballet is her religion.
Touching: after the performance Natalia Kremen held the hands to her heart, fighting her happy tears. And we, happy guests, bet for the gorgeous prices and enjoyed our tea time with the most delicious scones, made to a simple but exceptional recipe for decade upon decade, served as it has to be: still warm, with Cornish clotted cream, strawberry jam and lemon curd. The classic recipe of the house. As Tom Parker Bowles writes, in his prefix to the scones recipe in Fortnum’s Cook Book – it’s ‘scone, like gone…not scone, like stone.’ And of course, the famous Fortnum’s sweets and the classic finger sandwiches – the innovation of Lord Sandwich for his playcard tournaments…
Absolutely fabulous was to see the familiar faces: the dancer and show director Kirill Burlov with whom I was very fortunate to work many times in my fashion shows at the London fashion week, the beautiful artist Annie Newman, who created a painting in collaboration with the famous Jimmy Choo for the auction in favour of NT foundation. Everyone can do good. Or even give a chance to make a dream come true – a dream of a worthy ballet education for a gifted child.
Extra wow-factor: flowers arrangements on the tables. Sublime preserved real flowers creations which keep alive for a longtime. Aesthetics in French style – bien sûre – by Pascal Lavorel..
Photo credit by @sashadove.ph
By Dr Olga Roh