Tutu Tuesday in Derby, Western Australia: A Dance with the Kimberley #tututuesday
Hey darlings, it's your girl, Lily, here! The sun's shining, the air is buzzing with cicadas, and it's a brand new week in Derby, WA - the perfect excuse to celebrate #tututuesday with some serious tulle love. As a ballerina with a passion for fashion and a heart set on bringing a touch of elegance to the outback, there's no better day than Tutu Tuesday to make a statement.
Now, when we talk tutu, we're talking seriously diverse styles - from the classic romantic, with its delicate layers and graceful silhouette, to the dramatic and edgy, perfect for showcasing those powerful leaps and turns. Itâs all about finding a tutu that suits your own style and brings your inner ballerina to life. Youâve got your poetic, romantic tutu. Or the sleek and chic contemporary tutu, with clean lines and minimal adornments - perfect for modern interpretations of classical ballet.
So, what's Tutu Tuesday all about? It's simple, really - It's a chance for all of us to let loose, channel our inner dancers, and celebrate the magic of this iconic garment. In Derby, that means strutting your stuff in the colourful markets, or popping down to the picturesque harbour and taking some killer selfies, tutu and all. Whether youâre a seasoned ballerina or just someone who loves a good dance (or a good twirl, we're not picky), Tutu Tuesday is an invitation to express yourself through your wardrobe, unleash your inner grace and beauty and, well, just have a good laugh!
I know what you might be thinking â âBut Lily, a tutu in the outback?â - But let me tell you, a touch of tulle amongst the red dirt and eucalyptus trees is just the thing to remind us that beauty exists everywhere, even in the wildest, most unexpected places.
I remember when I first moved to Derby, a couple years ago, and everyone thought I was bonkers for taking ballet lessons in a town that seemed to breathe red dirt and cowboys. I remember seeing the look on some peopleâs faces when they found out I danced ballet - kind of a 'well, this is a long way from Swan Lake, love!' kinda look.
It was all a bit challenging at first, finding someone who understood what ballet meant to me. It felt like I had stepped onto a different planet - a planet where everyone spoke the language of dust and cattle, and not pliĂ©s and port de bras. But, wouldnât you know it, I discovered that I wasnât the only one who loved ballet.
Just last week, I ran into a young woman, named Mia, who was in her final year of high school. We struck up a conversation, and she told me about a local community project theyâre working on called âDancing Down Underâ. Itâs an initiative that brings together ballet and traditional Aboriginal dance, fusing those two incredible worlds through movement. Miaâs group has a performance planned for the Derby Festival next month, with costumes and sets designed by artists and performers, with all proceeds going towards local programs to get young people interested in ballet and performance art. Theyâre using contemporary dance and modern movements to celebrate both their own stories and the stories of Aboriginal dancers who have come before them. Mia explained how she always thought ballet was just for people in cities, like Perth or even bigger cities like Sydney. I could tell she was starting to feel confident, her face glowing as she told me about how the performance was going to celebrate the beauty of this diverse landscape - the outback, and its many amazing communities. It's an inspiring example of the beautiful connection that can exist between our art and our community, reminding us that passion and beauty can blossom even in the most unexpected places.
Itâs those kinds of moments that I live for - finding that kindred spirit who understands that passion can bloom anywhere. Because the reality is, ballet is not about some mythical city far away, or a specific group of people who âgetâ it, it's about that moment you feel your own heartbeat echoing with the music and feel like you can take on the world.
Derby has this unique vibe. Youâve got the red dirt, the dry season, the salty breeze off the Indian Ocean and the breathtaking scenery of the Kimberley region - and if you look closely, it also has its own grace and elegance. We are the women who work the land, who raise their children on it, and who celebrate it, and a little bit of tulle doesnât hurt!
And remember darlings, the only way you can rock a tutu is with confidence. Let's embrace that inner grace and tutu pride â and spread the love for ballet all over this amazing state! Because at the end of the day, the best thing about Tutu Tuesday is reminding ourselves that it doesnât matter where we are or who we are - we can all dance!
Now, go forth and spread the #tututuesday love, darlings. And letâs see some killer tutu pics from Derby! I want to see them all!
- #TutuTuesdayDerby
- #DerbyWA
- #KimberleyTulle
- #DancingInTheOutback
- #BalletAnywhere