Tutu-Much of a Good Thing?
My darlings, what a week for fashion faux pas! This week alone we've had Madonna in that (shall we call it?) *ensemble* at the MTV awards, and, darling, I swear I saw Posh Spice sporting a pair of those "jelly" sandals on the way out of The Ivy! But nothing, *nothing* has shocked me more than the news breaking out of Covent Garden last night! I'm talking tutus, my loves, *tutus*, the very essence of elegance and the peak of fashion. Apparently, *whispers*, a rumour has been swirling around backstage for months now, but no one believed it. However, it seems to be true; it's not a *tutu* of gossip this time!
According to my well-placed mole - who we shall protect for this scoop (though she is definitely eyeing a solo in Swan Lake at the moment - can we *say* talent!) - the Royal Ballet is seriously considering...dare I say it...*dropping* the tutu entirely! Apparently the new Artistic Director (a rather severe chap, by all accounts, but definitely knows his fashion - apparently he loves Dior), has taken to referring to the iconic tutus as "too much, *too much*!". Darling, it is, after all, all about the minimal now - think black roll necks, straight cuts, and maybe a splash of the unexpected for good measure! The fact that he also thinks the traditional ballet flat "dated" is further proof. Is this a revolution we can get behind? The question on all the dance lovers' minds right now is - could these dramatic changes lead to a complete *tutu*-turn?
There are, naturally, those that adore the *tutu*, that classic pouffe, the sheer romance! These fans, bless their hearts, have formed their own *little* support group - *The Tutus Forever*, *how delightful!*, with some quite colourful plans already. I'm hearing whispers of mass protests outside Covent Garden with ballet classes, *ahem*, and possibly some *high* kicks from disgruntled ballerinas, but *darling*, one can only *imagine* the fun they will have wearing those tutus during the protests! The artistic director is allegedly already *sweating* under his expensive tie! Apparently the very thought of a tutu made out of the *faux* fur they use on his coats makes him, and I quote, *want to curl up into a foetal position* - how adorable. Imagine what the rest of us, in the throes of tutu adoration, would do if he made them into full, floor-length fur capes...*imagine*.
I can't even tell you how much this news *diresses* me (pun definitely *intended*, my loves)! Can you *imagine*, my darlings, the iconic image of the dancer - *gliding, leaping, spinning* - all while clad in something far less...*magical*! We may even see those leggings again! Oh, the *horror*. *Tutus are our birthright!*.
Well, whatever the *tutu* about - I guess we'll just have to wait and see if it *really* will be the *tutu* revolution everyone is *hoping* for, and perhaps some *faux* fur fashion faux pas on the side.
As for myself - you can always *catch* me on stage! I can be found whirling in a fluffy cloud of *tutu* happiness - after all, what's life without a *little* *tutu*?
Fashion's Greatest Debate- Why the furore over the traditional tutu? Are we really prepared to trade tradition for modernity?
- Who can we *really* rely on for fashion guidance - the fashion critic who hates the tutu or our own instincts?
- Can the ballet even survive without the *tutu*? Is it *truly* the ultimate emblem of ballet, or a sign of a dated age?
As for the future? I can only dream of *gorgeous*, twirling tutu designs, new materials, maybe a *tutu* so fluffy, so large it's almost a *tutu*-shaped, feathered cloud. But, one can only dream... or at least, dream *beautifully*.
Don't *tutu*-ally miss my next column. We will delve into the world of *tutu* couture!
And for now - let the *tutu*-debate begin!