Dearest readers, gather 'round, for I have a newsflash that's sure to tickle your fancy. 22 March 2007 - a day that shall forever be etched in the annals of… well, perhaps not history, but definitely in the hearts of every ballerina worth her pirouette. Why, you ask? Because this, my darlings, is the day we celebrate the pièce de résistance, the embodiment of all that is elegant, ethereal, and, let's face it, incredibly impractical - the tutu!
Yes, the tutu. That frothy confection of tulle and netting, that swirling symbol of grace and artistry, that object of longing for every little girl who's ever seen a Swan Lake performance and dreamed of taking flight. For those of you unfamiliar with its magnificence (how dare you!), imagine a cloud of white or pink tulle (pink, darlings, it's simply divine!) crafted into a skirt, complete with tiers and ruffles, billowing outwards like a ballerina's own personal cloud. And you thought a ballgown was extravagant!
The tutu, in its glorious, billowing form, is the ultimate embodiment of feminine elegance. It's a silent statement, proclaiming to the world, "Behold, here is a woman who is graceful, who embodies lightness, who defies gravity with her sheer artistry." But, my dears, let's be honest, the tutu also serves as a hilarious reminder of how impractical our obsession with beauty can be. Try, for instance, climbing a flight of stairs in one. I dare you. (I wouldn't, my back is practically a porcelain china shop!).
Don't even get me started on the logistics of doing everyday things in a tutu. The ballet barre becomes a formidable opponent when you have a literal cloud swirling around your feet. Let me paint you a picture: You're dashing for a loo, desperate for that all-too-familiar "ballerina squat," only to find yourself battling with yards of fabric threatening to engulf you. A spectacle worthy of a ballet in itself, if you ask me! But wouldn't it be fabulous, wouldn't it be wonderfully absurd if every girl in London suddenly donned a pink tutu and pirouetted down the street?
Ah, but let's not forget the leotard! It's the quintessential dancer's uniform, an essential that showcases their lean and athletic bodies while keeping them secure and (somewhat) stylishly dressed. It's the practical counterpoint to the tutu's extravagance. But dear, oh dear, that doesn't make it any less ludicrous. It's like wearing pajamas to work - all-inclusive comfort and stretchiness, yes, but fashionably appropriate? Questionable. Thankfully, fashion has graced us with beautiful variations in this category, from ones adorned with delightful swirls of colour and sequins to ones designed in gorgeous hues of charcoal or navy blue. Some even feature tiny bows at the shoulder for an extra dose of girlishness.
For our discerning and fabulously stylish ballerina, the leotard must be meticulously chosen! It's a bit like picking a cocktail dress for a ball. It should be flattering but also comfy enough to allow for long stretches of rigorous exercise, not to mention that dreaded 'ballet squat.' We ballerinas know how important it is to have a trusty leotard by our side. A ballet shoe can slip off, but a leotard is steadfast.
And what of those ballet shoes, those dainty, soft, pink (pink again! Pink never goes out of style!) satin delights? Oh, how they seem to float as our feet whisper across the stage, carrying us through a journey of love, sorrow, triumph, and even a little bit of... let's face it, sheer agony! Yes, dear readers, it's a love-hate relationship. The joy of those gliding movements is tempered by the constant battle with aching feet and callouses. Ballet shoes are our constant companions, both on stage and in rehearsal rooms - but let's face it, they don't exactly go well with anything other than tights.
So, my lovelies, let us celebrate the tutu! Celebrate the leotard! And for goodness' sake, wear some ballet shoes, just because. Because in this whirlwind of reality, we all need a bit of magic, a touch of lightness, a whimsical swirl of pink tulle to lift us up and remind us that life can, indeed, be a ballet. And why not embrace the absurdity of it all? Maybe, just maybe, a touch of whimsy will transform the everyday into a grand performance! After all, that’s what we dancers do best, isn’t it? Turn the mundane into magic, one graceful twirl at a time.
For now, my dears, let me leave you with this - in the words of the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov, “Dance is life with music."
So put on your pink tutu, find some fabulously chic leotards and head out, my dears, into a world brimming with graceful and beautiful possibilities! Remember, it’s all about attitude - a graceful, witty, fabulous one.
Until next time, may your steps be light and your smiles be wide!