Tutu Tuesday 20295

Blackwater, Queensland: Tutu Tuesday in the Outback It's Tutu Tuesday in the outback! As a ballet dancer, I live for this day of the week. I have been in Blackwater for a few weeks now, teaching ballet and finding new and interesting places to photograph my outfits and my favourite tutu, for Instagram. As an Australian dancer, you really need to push the limits to find places to film and photograph yourself. There aren't that many opportunities, particularly here in Queensland, to find interesting backdrops - lots of sky and not that many trees, but it does create a pretty decent photographic background for tutus, particularly the tulle skirt varieties. Outback Glamour Today, I'm rocking a beautiful tutu that I scored on sale last season from an amazing online tutu store based here in Sydney. It's the softest pastel pink, which looks lovely with the red dust background I have been filming in front of, which is not your standard ballet studio backdrop but it is very Queensland outback. This tutu has an ultra-soft tulle skirt with layers and layers, and its bodice is made of luxurious stretch satin with an intricate beaded design. This tutu really makes me feel like a princess of the outback, and that's pretty important to me when you're dancing in the dusty Queensland bush. Tutus and Traditions My love affair with tutus began when I first saw my grandmother dancing at a Christmas family gathering. I was so little, maybe 4 or 5, and she was performing her own choreography on her own with an amazing tulle skirt, it was definitely not ballet and wasn’t professional, but she had it down! Now my love for ballet is not something I can hide. It's a passion that courses through my veins, and it all started with that memory of my grandmother. Since then, I have always had my favourite tutu, my current one being a fabulous bright pink one from Melbourne that looks amazing against all those grey backgrounds here. The tutus remind me of my own passion. I remember starting ballet classes in Sydney when I was seven, and I knew from that moment that I wanted to be a professional dancer. Taking Ballet to the Outback I wanted to share this passion, so I travelled to Blackwater, which is a mining town in Central Queensland. It's a beautiful but remote area, but there is such a lovely community vibe, and it makes such a good story to talk about. Not your typical ballet community but then that's part of what makes the experience so much fun. The locals are absolutely fascinated with tutus and ballet, especially the kids! I am currently running a community ballet program for local children of all ages - we teach the basics, a bit of technique, choreography, lots of movement and lots of fun. For most of the children here it's their first ballet lesson so their biggest goal, after we learn about pliés and port de bras, is getting the tutu on and spinning. Some children love ballet and I encourage their participation - it's about creativity, it’s about finding movement in a safe environment. In Blackwater, the tutus really make people smile - so that's one good reason to visit. The tutus make you smile and bring joy! It's inspiring to see how dance and tutus can transcend differences and bring communities together. #tututuesday Outfit Details: Here is the look from #tututuesday in Blackwater, Queensland. * **Tutu:** From "Sydney Tutu," the brand that’s totally my favourite go-to for a new tutu that isn't a huge expense! This particular pastel pink tutu I love, it's amazing! * **Top:** I’m loving a light cotton T-shirt with a graphic tee design on it, which looks super cute with this outfit. I think this particular one I am wearing is from Forever21. * **Shoes:** White ankle boots - they look good with any outfit - they’re my go-to in the cooler weather. I wear these a lot on Tutu Tuesdays in winter and even some of the cooler summer days here, so I can’t even remember where they’re from! They’re pretty old! * **Accessories:** My necklace is a sparkly one that I always try to have with me - not sure where it is from. I bought it in Sydney a few years ago when we went to the Ballet and had an amazing meal! * **Makeup:** Always on point for photoshoots and class – a bit of concealer, mascara, lip gloss. * **Hair:** The ultimate goal is a bit of a messy bun! Outfit Notes: This look is fun and whimsical, while still feeling very chic. The pink tulle skirt of the tutu is the focus of this outfit, but a t-shirt makes it more casual and the white boots ground the whole outfit. A bit of glitzy jewellery makes it even more magical, and it all comes together with some chic and minimalist makeup, that is more glammed-up than everyday! A Passion for Tutus Being in the outback, surrounded by this wide-open space, I feel that the energy of ballet comes through in the freedom of this space. When I’m teaching and the kids spin, or even the kids who can't quite master the spin, it reminds me that tutus can represent so much more than just fashion; they can symbolise a love of dance, a journey of self-expression, and the power of community - and I guess you need that in the outback when things can feel so remote sometimes! #tututuesday #Blackwater #Queensland