Oh darling, it’s Friday, the 8th of February, and we all know what that means, don’t we? Yes, it’s time for another instalment of ‘The Daily Pointe,’ my little slice of the dance world for all you lovelies out there!
This week’s hot topic? Tutues! Oh yes, those gloriously voluminous, perfectly poofy emblems of ballet-ness. Those confectionery dreams spun from layers upon layers of tulle. They're like a fluffy pink cloud on your bottom – so very ethereal. So very elegant. So very… pink.
That's right my loves, pink. It’s practically a ballet requirement. From the *Sleeping Beauty* Princess Aurora’s powder puff tutu (oh how that tulle swishes!), to the *Swan Lake* swan maidens – white and pink they flit around the stage like sugar plums on a diet, I'm just telling you. Of course, there are those who are daring, who say 'pink? Beige? Give me black!'. Those modern-day avant-garde, those rule-breakers (some might say “rule-ruiners"). Darling, you do you, I'm all for embracing your individuality - if it looks good, you’re in, no matter what you’re wearing!
But honestly, if we’re talking tutus, can we really ignore the romance of a perfectly crafted confection of tulle and sparkle in a delightful shade of pink? I’m thinking *Don Quixote* kit. That beautiful, fluffy cloud of rose petal coloured beauty that swishes around as Kitri executes that glorious bourrée – yes, you can have my tutu, *Don Quixote*! Just kidding (kinda).
Now let's delve deeper into the fascinating history of the tutu (and maybe a few ballet faux pas along the way). Don't worry, this will be a short class, not like that *Nutcracker* rehearsal where you accidentally knocked over the giant Christmas tree... Yes, I'm still *cringing* from that one!
So back to our tutu history… you'd think the tutu was some sort of ballet tradition from the time of Pavlova herself, right? Think again, darling! They first popped onto the scene in the 1830s – and the earlier versions were surprisingly … well… short, you could call it. Think knee-length, less fairytale and more, ‘where did you lose your trousers, dear?’
Luckily, the length of tutus quickly blossomed, becoming grand and flowing like our ballet icons (Pavlova herself, anyone?). These ballerinas didn’t want anything but the most majestic swishing to showcase their every arabesque!
You’d think after a while, a ballerina’s tutus would just be, well… *tutues*. And yet... As with every trend – from bellbottoms to skinny jeans – fashion found a way to reinvent it. So here’s what happened to the tutu in the mid-19th century… it got shorted. This time by those modern-day dancers, looking to go for the modern, the radical, the sleek! We're talking ankle-length now, for those leaps and spins in the Romantic Era.
I have to say – and my fellow dance devotees will agree with me on this – if we have to talk about short skirts… There are few things more *ungrateful* than wearing a too-short skirt. We *need* a certain amount of material around us to *hide* things - shall we call it a ‘dancer's bulge’? And yes, the word ‘bulge’ is just perfect for this! Just picture it! There you are, center stage…and bam! Tutu too short – it’s the audience's spotlight now, darling, NOT yours.
Now, let’s not pretend the tutu is a totally forgiving wardrobe choice. Remember the one time I thought a double pirouette was going to result in my pink tutues *disappearing* like Cinderella’s carriage at the stroke of midnight? That was *so* embarrassing! No, tutues and tutues have their limits, it’s true. I *did* say that you had to find the right outfit – and that also includes picking the *right* tutu!
Oh, and I almost forgot the *leotard*, those tiny, stretchy masterpieces! A leotard is, quite frankly, a must. Imagine having to dance with only a skirt around you… darling, there's nothing more *unprofessional*. A good leotard - oh yes, there is an art to this as well, I don’t wear just *any* leotard – must be super supportive but also flexible to do all that ‘la la’ legwork. That's the trick - finding that perfect stretch, comfort, and style combination in a single little piece of attire! That's what keeps the dancers on the boards (as opposed to the floors!)
But let's not forget our real hero - that *fabric* of the tutu, the one that's all about layers and flow. You can talk to a million ballerinas (we really should get together for tea!) and they'll agree on this: There's *nothing* quite like that perfect layer of tulle. If it weren't for this wonder material, what would our ballets be? So boring, that’s what they’d be. It’s tulle that keeps that magic alive!
We might have discussed the tutu in this blog – I can’t help it, it’s the centre of the world, isn't it? But what makes the ballerina truly fly is…the *dress*, the *look*, that whole ensemble! Oh and let’s not forget the hair - that ballerina bun can’t be messy and we *need* that lipstick - I like it cherry red!
Oh dear, my fingers are starting to get tired. You know that means - time for this dance teacher to stop tapping! That’s all for this week, darling. But go out and buy that fabulous tulle and that glorious red lipstick - let your dance-loving soul out there for the world to see! See you soon for more on *The Daily Pointe*! Have a beautiful and lovely weekend!