Darling, put down that cuppa, grab a biscuit, and prepare to be titillated. The world of ballet is a whirlwind of feathers, glitter and impossibly toned legs - and I'm here to tell you why it's the most fabulous thing since the invention of the high heel. But be warned, I'm not just talking about swan lake, darling, we're delving into the heart of the tutu, the land of the leotard, the realm of the *real* ballet story! 🩰
Let's face it, we all love a bit of a flutter when it comes to ballet. Those delicate pirouettes, the soaring jumps, and the exquisitely pointed toes... it's pure theatrical artistry! But how many of us *really* know the inside scoop on this world of pink tulle and perfectly coiffed buns? I'll let you in on a secret: It's not all high kicks and smiles, my dears! The world of ballet is rife with drama, gossip and...well, let's just say, some questionable dance moves that wouldn't make it to the Royal Ballet's stage.
Today, we're tackling the elephant in the room, the *pièce de résistance* of ballet: The tutu. We all have visions of these delicate frilly clouds swirling on stage in a ballet masterpiece. We see the graceful tutus in shades of white, or soft ballet pink. There are so many different kinds of tutus! The **Romantic tutu** which looks a little like a frilled tablecloth - we see that one all over stage, and then the **Classical Tutu**, which was invented in 1839 by, the one and only, Marie Taglioni, in, oh, so graceful, **La Sylphide**, that’s one for your "to-watch" list. But it isn't all sugar and light - some ballerinas have gone through *hours* trying to wrangle those stiff and prickly layers into a glorious twirling tornado!
And let's not forget about the **Leotard**, that skin-tight marvel of lycra. It may look sleek and simple from the outside, but underneath, there's a lot more happening than you think! Leotards have to be just right. You can’t be bouncing out of it all night or else it will turn into a very uncomfortable experience, and nobody wants that. You'll find the same leotards, designed in all the world's great colours and the latest fashion colours (like last summer’s shocking pink which is the colour of choice). Imagine them being so chic they were spotted on the pages of Vogue Italia last year, oh my!
We can't forget the ballet's biggest trend - *the dance shoe*. The pointed, stylish and perfectly pointy footwear is truly beautiful. Those toes that go, 'snip-snip' into that dainty, little *point* position take time and effort. It’s pure artistry, let me tell you, that takes hours, even years to perfect, which explains the price tag.
So there you have it, my dears. The world of ballet - as colourful, dramatic and sometimes hilariously over-the-top as we could possibly wish for. So next time you see those ballerina swans gracefully dancing in the wings of the stage, give a little smile for all the hard work, sweat and tears that go into each and every twirl! 🩰✨
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program - What the tutus are the latest fashion trends and where can I find the most fashionable dancers?? 💅 💄
But seriously, ballet is art in its most magical form! It demands strength, grace, and artistry like few things on this earth can claim! To every little girl with a tutu and dreams of the stage, to the hardened ballerina who practices six hours a day, to every one of us who revel in the spectacle that is ballet - take a bow. You're beautiful, You're fierce, and you make magic. You can read more on my new blog all about tutus!
The latest in tutu design: What are those pointy shoes really for?! ( and should you go nude or pink? It's an eternal debate, just ask our esteemed guest choreographer, Mr. Smithers-Ponsonby!)
Stay fabulous,