Oh darling, what a day! It's 22nd July 1996, and you know what that means? Time to slip into our finest tulle and unleash our inner prima ballerina, naturally. But darling, it's not just any day for twirling, it's Tutu Tuesday!
That's right, every Tuesday the nation's ballet studios erupt into a frenzy of feather boas, sparkly tiaras, and the most magnificent tutus this side of Swan Lake. Now, before you gasp in disbelief, let me assure you, this is not just a fad. It's a movement!
The genesis of this joyous spectacle? Well, it all began with a delightful misstep, or rather, a well-timed trip. You see, it was during a rather boisterous afternoon rehearsal of The Nutcracker where young Barbara Brambleton (who is a total angel, let's be honest) tripped over a particularly rogue rat costume, landing right smack-dab on her brand-new, £500 tutu. A moment of silence ensued. Then the music changed to "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)", the entire company burst into impromptu choreography, and a legend was born.
Of course, I was there. Front row centre, naturally. And, let me tell you, darling, Barbara was quite the picture! A vision of tutued, tulle-filled grace and good cheer. There's just something about that swirling fabric, it practically begs for applause, doesn't it?
Now, you're probably thinking, "But darling, surely a ballet studio on Tuesday isn't THAT exciting?" Oh, my dear, you haven't seen a full-on tutu-fest until you've experienced it firsthand. It's a kaleidoscope of colours, fabrics, and of course, personality! We've got your traditional white, a splash of pink, and if we're feeling daring, a hint of black. Even the male dancers get in on the action, though we've had to "soften" the "masculine" impact. A few feathers and sequins do wonders for the chaps. You know I like to push the boundaries, darlings.
And speaking of boundaries, did I mention that Tutu Tuesday has become something of a global phenomenon? Yep! From Tokyo to Paris, London to New York, it's the dance community's biggest weekly bash, and let me tell you, it's a spectacle to behold.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your tutus, your best lipstick, and your favourite pair of ballet shoes, darlings! Tutu Tuesday awaits. It's going to be divine.
What to Expect this Tutu Tuesday- "The Great Tutu Contest": Think of it as "Project Runway" for balletomanes. Judges from the Royal Ballet look for creativity, execution, and "general sparkle" as they scrutinize the dancers' unique tutus.
- "A Tutus & Tiaras Fashion Show": It's the crème de la crème of tutus! Designers are handpicked by myself (after many, many cocktails), and each piece is truly a work of art. It's what Vogue calls "Avant-Garde Tutu."
- "The Tutus & Tunes Soirée": It's a chance for dancers to unleash their inner rockstar and sing, dance, and celebrate. The evening usually culminates with a special appearance from a popular band. We've had everyone from Spandau Ballet to Duran Duran grace us with their presence.
So, there you have it. The 22nd of July, a date you can mark on your calendars (use a glitter pen!), as it's a day filled with grace, fashion, and fun! Remember darling, life is short; dance your heart out!