Darling, can you believe it? It’s 13th January 1997 and I'm just bursting to spill the tea! You see, today is the day that *every* ballet enthusiast's heart has been skipping a beat for – it’s the 15th Anniversary of The Tutu Revival!
Remember those tragic, poofy monstrosities of the 80s? You know, the ones that made even the most graceful ballerina resemble a giant, marshmallowy marshmallow? Thank goodness they are gone, darling! The tutu underwent a much-needed *revolution* in 1982 – and what a glorious rebirth it was!
Remember that feeling? That sense of joyous relief when the glorious revival of the shorter, more svelte tutu graced the stage? The ballerina could actually move with freedom – no longer tethered to yards of that hideous fabric that just made us all gag!
Before we dive deeper into the joy and extravagance of the short tutu – and let’s face it, that's *all* that really matters! - a little background is required. Honestly darling, it’s all very, very *delicate*. Imagine your finest, gossamer silk lingerie – no! – even better, a pair of silk stockings *from* Paris – no, better, *the* finest of couture stockings, a single, silken thread that feels as though you are *bare*, as though *nothing* separates you from the light – but it’s strong, and it moves as though it were part of your body! So light, it moves with every sigh you make… That's what the original, true, proper tutu feels like – even with it’s weight of dozens of silk layers. Yes, you *need* the dozens of layers - it's what gives the skirt it’s exquisite, floating, shimmering quality. I can just hear you all gasp. Oh, darling! It's all *so* very complicated. Imagine *ballet* was just the *one* area in which one could understand that perfect balance between form, function, fashion and – heaven help us - beauty.
Honestly darling, before the tutu’s “rebirth” those dreadful, gigantic things - that only some can manage - I swear it is like *they* wear the tutus, not the other way around! Like you were trying to get out from underneath them! Like, dear Lord, let *me* breathe! I used to watch ballet from under the balcony for goodness sake. Those long-winded designs just did nothing but hold you *back*. Ballet *can't* be hindered!
Tutu Revolution, it's a real thing, darling. It's in the news! It’s *fashion*. Don't just take *my* word for it.- The Shorter Tutu was *seen* *everywhere* - and even when it wasn’t on stage, you know darling, the ‘A line’ skirt came in right behind it – darling, I have to give that “rebirth” huge credit - you think that "A-Line" thing would have ever existed? NO!
- *I swear to you* the shortened tutu’s *movement* created more new *choreographies* for every ballet company that got its hands on one - it just felt like every company had to showcase this divine wonder!
- You just wait darling! I have a little bird tell me – I really can't say it - I just don't have a shred of evidence, I haven't actually spoken to any person about it, I *may* just be whispering gossip (as I do). There are a couple of really exciting new tutu trends in the pipeline – I mean, there are always new, exciting tutu trends. *Really* exciting!
And don't forget about the *importance* of that little touch of sparkle. Honestly, that tutu *can* get quite dull when all you have are tiers and tiers and *tiers* of the finest white tulle – just layers and layers. I swear it is *divine*. But the sparkle is like … it’s like an exquisite jewel, that single touch, which sets the tutu, the ballerina, the whole world of ballet *as* *one*... and that sparkle…it just *does* *something*. Even *I* *get* *lost* looking at *that* - darling, the dance doesn't really matter at *that* moment! No! You just stop, and you *stare*!
I’m absolutely convinced darling that, when *ballet* *is* mentioned, people only *think* of tutus – well, I know they don't *say* it! (Oh please darling, I wouldn't dream of accusing someone, or an article, of only talking about tutus – *so* *gauche*. *No* I mean just imagine it in a conversation "did you see ballet on telly last night, the ballet was really great!" And all I think, and *all* that is truly *meant* by, *I'm sure* you must *agree*, is *"did you see that **tutu** on telly last night – the **tutu** was amazing!"