Well, darlings, it’s Tuesday 22nd August 1996. The sun is shining, the birds are singing (or at least the little birds on my bird table outside the window are) and what could be better than grabbing a pot of tea and settling down for a good old gossip about the fabulous world of ballet and, of course, our very favourite dance wear... the tutu. Because darling, the tutu, it’s the ultimate statement! Let’s talk tutu gossip shall we?!
Fashion Follies: Tutu Trouble
Right, so there I was last night, off to the theatre for a wonderful performance by the English National Ballet (those lovely lads always know how to give a good performance), and you know what? Everyone’s all aflutter because of these new "avant garde" tutus. Honestly, they’re more like "avant gauche" – if you ask me! One looked like a giant mushroom, and another like it’d been thrown in a washing machine with a pack of jelly babies! Apparently, they’re all the rage these days. The poor ballerinas looked like they were wearing lampshades with a touch of psychedelic disco going on. But darling, I don’t need psychedelic! I want grace! I want elegance! I want to see those tulle layers float effortlessly, not make the dancer resemble a crumpled up piece of paper!
Now, I’m all for expressing yourself through dance. I’m not one to follow the crowd! You won't see me in some boring old traditional tutu like that! But I must say, a tutu is like a friend. It has to feel right. You wouldn't wear a bright pink outfit to a funeral, darling! And honestly, with these avant-garde designs... It’s like someone gave the poor tutu a bad dose of LSD! Maybe if it was worn with the right makeup, some dramatic eye liner, a good strong colour... But I'm afraid, when I look at those so-called 'modern' designs... All I can see are fashion faux pas!
Tutu Triumphs
But, it’s not all doom and gloom. In the midst of the tutu madness, a ray of sunshine. There’s one lovely young ballet student, she's been learning from a retired prima ballerina. Honestly, she can move! You’ve never seen anything so elegant and light. And I heard on the grapevine that her tutu has got everyone talking! It's just gorgeous... you see, there’s something to be said for keeping it simple darling. And when this darling little ballerina dances in it, well... It just takes my breath away.
I hear there are rumours flying around the ballet schools that the girl's secret weapon is actually an old tutu that she discovered in a vintage shop – that’s my girl! Always got a nose for the classics! But I’m afraid it’s a secret so tightly guarded that only a little sparrow would ever know… You know those clever little things always have the best gossip… They are very stylish, darling!
Tutu Talk: The Insider's Guide
Here's a bit of inside scoop: There is this rumour mill circulating in ballet circles. The gossip? The old tutu is actually... it's rumoured to be a "heirloom tutu"! A tutu that's been passed down for generations in the ballerina's family! Now, this sounds like something straight out of a romantic novel, don't you think, darling? All those secrets and whispered stories about family traditions and tutus as legacies… What could be more delightful?! Imagine, if a tutu could actually have its own stories...
I’m practically in tears imagining it!
Well, dear friends, It’s time for me to take a trip to the theatre to find out if it’s true! It's my duty to bring you all the hottest ballet gossip and maybe get a glimpse of this glorious vintage tutu myself... Will this little darling and her tutu break out of this sea of fashion follies and prove that good taste, timeless beauty and classical designs will never go out of fashion?! Tune in next week, darling, for a sneak peek!
I’ll leave you with this darling, the lesson to take home here is: It’s not always the big and bold that steals the show! Sometimes, it’s about finding the classics, embracing traditions, and just allowing the magic to unfold, like a perfect tutu swishing through the air. Now I'm off, darlings, Have a fabulous week! You’ll hear all about it next time...
Stay Chic and Swish!