Darling readers, it’s Friday the 25th of February, and you know what that means – it’s time to talk about ballet! But not just any ballet. No, we're delving deep into the heart of this graceful, intricate art form – specifically the **tutu**.
Now, I know what you're thinking: **“Tutus? Haven't they been around forever?"** Yes, darling, but you wouldn't believe the drama that unfolds in the world of tutus. Think **Swan Lake meets Mean Girls.**
This year, I’m going to put on my (white, obviously) **feather boa** and take you, my loves, for a backstage tour of this high-stakes dance of tulle and sequins.
What to know about tutus:
1. Tutus: An evolution
- The story begins with the iconic **Romantic tutu** – that pouffy, whimsical dream that was introduced in 1832.
- Later, the **classic tutu** (also called the “pancake” tutu, yes really!) came about, favoured for its flatter shape and streamlined form.
- Then came the **“tutu à la Francaise”,** introduced by a flamboyant Russian designer in the early 19th century – a bit of a rebel, that one!
- The **contemporary tutu** has gained popularity, too. Often a free-flowing, layered confection that pushes boundaries, and throws a metaphorical dance-floor shade at tradition.
**The ultimate battle: The Pink Tutu versus the White Tutu.**
Oh, darling, this is the **real tea**, the **real gossip**. We all know pink is, like, super girly. **"Pink tutu girl?"** Always adorable, sweet, the **ultimate princess**. It’s **classic,** and that makes some folks uneasy, shall we say?
The white tutu? **Ooh la la, it’s all about the **drama, the **elegance** and a bit of **fierce independence**. It says “**I'm sophisticated, I’m **capable**, I don't need pink to make a statement".
**2. The ballerina’s battle**: It's not a **competition, sweetie,** at least not according to those darling ballerinas – who by the way, wear **perfectly fitted** leotards and tights to accentuate every single dance move, just in case you didn’t know. They swear that the **tutu, of any colour, simply empowers them**, but don’t be fooled.
It’s actually quite intense: the rivalry that sparks between those wearing **pink tutus** and those wearing **white ones**. Is it even more intense between those rocking **a multi-layered, tiered tutu** (always pink or white) versus those wearing the single layer ones? Yes. You could call it “tutu-ergy”.
**The tutu's secret agenda:** To make us believe they are weightless.
Yes darling, let's be clear: there is **an inherent beauty and grace** to watching a dancer **leap, twirl and glide**, and trust me – all the years of rigorous training and intense commitment to this craft is absolutely, positively breathtaking to watch. And I am a total sucker for watching them perform and telling anyone who will listen that it takes immense strength and stamina and yes – there are often a fair few **grueling rehearsals and bruised toes.** But really, that isn't the **true drama of it all,** it is **the secret agenda of the tutu, darling, to convince us all that there is literally nothing underneath it. **
The tutu’s little white, or pink, secret: It makes ballerinas look like they are floating above the ground.
You've never looked at a ballerina, darling, the same way, since reading this. No? The truth about ballerinas? They don’t simply defy gravity, **they hide their superhuman skills from us!** We watch them in awe. Then the tutu starts waving in the breeze, making us gasp in delight, thinking it's an ethereal, otherworldly vision… and BAM.
That is the secret of the tutu.
I, for one, adore this little secret, darling. I can't think of another item of clothing, or even fashion accessory, that manages to make me believe that some people really can float in the air, with seemingly little effort, and that can create an image so stunning that I am moved, sometimes, to tears. Yes, even if a pink tutu, my love, makes the wearer feel like **“the sweet princess”**, and a white tutu screams **“I am the epitome of beauty, grace and a true star”**. The most important thing is that it takes me, if even for only 90 minutes at a time, away from this **daily, drab, dull world, ** into something that I think everyone needs, but hardly anyone talks about
That something, my love, is beauty.