Darling, I can’t believe it’s been two whole decades since the greatest fashion faux pas in ballet history – the Tutusgate scandal. Can you believe it? Two decades! (Where has the time gone, I still have the most gorgeous new season Chloe dress with the delicate beaded neckline waiting for its moment.) Anyway, it’s all happening right here, right now. Two decades on, let's relive this spectacularly fabulous dance drama, because my dears, let's face it: some stories deserve a sequel. So gather your afternoon tea and prepare for a delightful dive into the captivating history of a tutu tragedy!
Picture this, darling. It’s a balmy November afternoon in 2000 – (so it feels like a lifetime ago) and the prestigious Royal Ballet is about to premiere a brand new ballet. Everything’s set, the lights are dimmed, the air is thick with anticipation. But, oh honey, this ain't a mere performance, no no. It's a moment for the history books. Or, rather, a moment that sparked a furious row between those who prefer ballet to be traditionally divine (I’m thinking delicate silk tulle, and just the right amount of romantic frills – but not too much frills, dear, we must maintain that elegant silhouette!) and the fearless revolutionaries demanding something more “edgy”.
You know how it is in the dance world. If something ain't classic, if it ain’t Tchaikovsky, it’s controversial, darlings. This time, the rebels – oh how darling they thought they were – were all about “pushing the boundaries”. (Darling, who do they think they are?! I'm so over this “boundary pushing".) Imagine this, darling - a tutu, oh my, not your usual flowing, delicate dreamy tutu - no no no. This one was, and I still cannot believe this – this one was in **RED.** **Red** darlings, red! And what was it like, this revolutionary wonder? It looked suspiciously like something a matador would wear. You know – bull fighting. That just doesn’t work, does it? All the classic elements just got lost in that shock of crimson red. Honestly, if it wasn't a tutu I’d have said “it's got a lovely pop of colour" but alas, a tutu should not pop. I don’t need any fashion tips from the ballet dancers. We can learn so much from the real stars – the front row fashionistas!
Well, the rest is, quite frankly, history darling. A flurry of articles – all breathlessly exclaiming "is this the future of ballet?" The headlines were simply awful, all screaming about "breaking tradition", "the death of the tutu” - oh it’s a bit much darling, as if they could just go and reinvent the entire history of ballet. I'm sure, my love, some people were even shocked. (Really darlings, this is not revolutionary, not a bit. And not edgy either. What they should have done is a whole sequence just for the pas de deux set to "the dance of the swans". Just picture it! I have the most stunning pair of black swan feathers from our holiday to the South of France, and I think they could be turned into a rather beautiful hair comb. But that's an idea for another time! )
The next day, the headlines were about something much more important: Madonna released "music" that we had to rush out and buy, the latest Spice Girls video and Britney Spears was still only wearing skirts so high we all thought that school uniform had got way out of control. Nobody cared what the ballerinas wore after that.
Now, 20 years on, looking back through the vintage photos, I must say I think the rebellious red tutu has rather a charm – a touch of irreverence! (I’d have kept the silk, darling, for sure – a tiny little tulle with a hint of scarlet for the dance's dramatic crescendo would have worked wonders! Just one little touch of spice is all that's needed, my love. A touch of flair. ) But you know me, dear - I do believe it was the perfect conversation starter - the spark to set the dance world into motion for something different. Let’s just hope that any new additions to the ballet world will bring their own flair, but darling, not a whole lot of drama - a tiny touch of the unconventional is enough, darling! One simply cannot replace tradition! We have a duty to uphold tradition and all things classically lovely!
Honestly, dear, there were simply some better and more elegant options at the time for dramatic impact. Let's go back to our traditions of white or ivory, the graceful silhouette and the beautifully draped silk! After all, these beautiful dancers are the true embodiment of graceful and ethereal femininity, they need not shock and they must never be anything other than utterly enchanting. We love the classics, we appreciate the past, and most of all, we want to stay feminine and glamorous! What is the use of shocking? That's too passé! Oh my darlings, if I've taught you anything - be brave in your choices and stand out from the crowd – in your **gorgeous** ivory and pearl colour palette. Do try and remember that – especially if you ever go to the opera!