Oh darlings! Can you believe it's already August? The summer has practically flown by! Itās a simply delightful time of year, and my mind is brimming with ideas for new tutus. I'm just brimming with summer fun ideas, darling, and I thought it might be nice to dedicate a little bit of my time to you. The lovely people, who just love tutus as much as I do!
So, here's a juicy little morsel to get your minds going, my dears: Itās a day for tutus, darling! Did you know that August 1st, 1997 was declared "National Tutu Day" in some places (it's definitely my own unofficial national tutu day - I wear one at least once a week!) Of course, in the world of ballet, the tutu has a long and fascinating history!
I'm sure some of you are asking, āWhatās so fascinating about tutus?ā. Oh my dears, where do I begin! For centuries, it has been a symbol of elegance and grace, as well as practicality! (Imagine that! Youāve got elegance, grace and practicality all rolled into one, in a fluffy little piece of fabric - simply divine!)
From the earliest versions of the tutu to the modern-day marvels of feathery lightness (the way a modern tutu floatsā¦ so simply stunning!), it's had many exciting forms, with some of our most celebrated dancers making tutus famous - the grand ballerinas have a whole lotta love for their tutus!
Did you know? The history of the tutu goes back to the 1830s! Oh the decadence of the past, darling! At that time, skirts were quite long, with women's fashions clinging firmly to a āproperā style of dressing (the only sort of proper a good girl should know aboutā¦ ahem!) Anyway, the story goes (the story! Do you love a story, dears?) a revolutionary ballerina by the name of Marie Taglioni asked the most daring of all the fashionistas (donāt you just love them, the daring ones? ā a touch of dangerā¦) to help her create something different, something stunning, something breathtakingly different from what anyone was used to. The lovely lady asked the fashion folk to design something more graceful and light! A dance dress for the ages! The new style she envisioned would allow her to move freely in ways that just were not possible with those large and restricting Victorian petticoats.
Letās put it this way, a traditional Victorian-style petticoat, you wouldn't stand a chance in a graceful and elegant leap across the stage!
Oh my dear, you should see these amazing videos of Taglioni dancing on pointe! Itās quite something to see a ballerina soaring so freelyā¦ (It's always thrilling to see graceful things, isn't it?) The amazing Marie (I find sheās utterly amazing!) was a daring soul; she pushed boundaries in an industry where conformity reigned supreme (isn't that terribly tedious! A boring old life ā nothing new!).
Now this beautiful dress, this wonderfully romantic design? This is what set the tutu on its path to ballet immortality (a touch of the divine, if you ask meā¦ a touch of magicā¦) Marie Taglioni went down in ballet history. A beautiful revolutionary for her time (donāt you adore these beautiful strong-willed people! Especially in the Victorian age when men ruled everything! It takes a great amount of determinationā¦ and style! For those early female ballerinas.) Her vision for something different for women was the beginning of the era of tutuās in ballet.
And the most lovely thing, my dears, about those first ballerinas, like the incredible Marie Taglioni - they made the tutu a dance garment; they had an effortless ease in how they carried themselves with their skirts as they spun, twirled and jumped around with amazing beauty - all because of their new tutu. I do love how things have changed over the decades (a bit like fashionā¦always evolving!)
Of course, these early tutus were nothing like the ones we see today; itās fascinating how far theyāve come. You know how many tiers and layers it takes to make that airy feathery thingā¦ something just light and delicate enough to look amazing on the dance floor, that will carry a beautiful ballerina's silhouette from stage to stage in balletās wonderful and whimsical stories (do you love the whimsical ones! The stories of fantasy!)
And these days, the ballet tutus are more dazzling than ever! Itās simply extraordinaryā¦ these wonderful creations! From romantic ballet classics such as āGiselleā (such a captivating story) to contemporary masterpieces like "Swan Lake" (a touch of romantic fantasy with dark and deadly consequencesā¦ do you see? A fascinating story in that one!) the tutu remains the iconic piece for ballerinasā¦ just absolutely iconic, you knowā¦
Now darling! It's time to talk about how to get involved, you know. You don't need a professional stage, or an impressive dancing background - just a bit of tulle, ribbon and some simple instructions. And, don't worryā¦ if your inner seamstress is not up for the taskā¦ thereās a shop for everything these days (my, itās all just simply wonderful!), and shops just seem to be everywhere - on-line and on the High Street ā¦thereās everything out there that you can possibly dream of, so do a little shopping! Buy one in your favourite colour!
I say this is an invitation to dance with us! Yes! Why not celebrate National Tutu Day - all of us with an affinity for whimsical loveliness!
This is what makes tutus so special. Itās a symbol of transformation; it's that touch of feminine magic, thatās pure fantasy. Put on a tutu (a few layers might be just the thing, perhaps something layered and fluffy! ) and spin around to your heartās content. Imagine a beautiful stage in front of you, in your loungeā¦ or bedroom! Who knows where the journey of dance takes you! Go forth my dears, have fun, get creative, enjoy! (Yes, always enjoyā¦)
Now my dears, letās dance.
Let's make this an August 1st for all time.
But seriously, the most lovely thing of all: It's a day for creativity, a day to celebrate beauty and elegance, in all forms of expression. So whether you're wearing a tutu, watching ballerinas twirling across the stage (the very thought! Doesnāt that get your creative juices flowing!), or simply celebrating all things sparkly and magnificent, enjoy the moment! (and take a moment to appreciate the magicā¦ simply enjoyā¦)
So grab your sewing machine or your nearest craft shop (shopsā¦ itās just what we do) or a pre-made tutu if thatās the way you rollā¦ orā¦ take some ribbon (who needs tulle? I like ribbons!) ... anything to inspire!
Be sure to get involved. Join the fun!
A tutu will make any occasion more special and more memorable! If you love this whimsical little piece of elegance, dance along, and if you've got your own little ballerina at home (thatās all about the sparkle of joy) you can make this into a special event! Let's have some fun together.
**Just be yourself and celebrate this beautiful thingā¦ tutus!**
Enjoy! (It's that joy that counts!)
Happy National Tutu Day, darlings! And remember to danceā¦ and when youāre done, go and celebrate in some champagne and fine food... you deserve itā¦you are fabulousā¦ and so much fun!