Tutu Tuesday in Huyton: A Day of Swirls and Twirls
It's #tututuesday and Huyton is where I'm at. It's the birthplace of a fabulous new trend in this once quiet town: a celebration of the tutu in all its glory, thanks to the vision and energy of local entrepreneur, Mary Jones. Mary has launched a weekly market, right here in Huyton, dedicated to showcasing everything tutu related, from antique tutus to modern ones that look more like fashion than dance. I went down yesterday to have a peek.
I’ve been a professional ballet dancer for over ten years, performing on stages around the world. But honestly, it's in places like Huyton where you witness the power of dance. A lot of folks associate tutus with ballet and rigid, structured, classic shapes. But on Tuesday in Huyton it's clear the tutu is going mainstream. Let's be real, a tutu can be whatever you want it to be. In Huyton, it's about creativity, colour and having a little bit of fun.
So, I donned my favourite black tutu – a classic romantic one with a modern edge - and set out to meet Mary. Here’s a glimpse of what caught my eye:
- A symphony of colours: Imagine walking into a rainbow! That's what it's like to be surrounded by tutus. Think pinks and purples, reds and oranges, a touch of navy blue – the spectrum of life and style!
- For Every Taste: We’ve got vintage ones - with beautiful lace - and even ones made from denim and recycled materials! From classic layered ones for dancing to mini-tutus - perfect for a night out.
- A Tutu for Everyone: From fluffy pink tulle for the kids to the super short tutus – for those wanting to make a statement on the dance floor. There's literally something for everyone, whether you’re a dancer or simply a fashion fanatic.
There was also live music - some amazing cello music – it sounded so pretty - and there was even a live demo by a local dance company who put on an absolutely phenomenal show. And then Mary and her crew organised some free ballet lessons. The energy was amazing - it's such a feel-good vibe.
Here's a look at the different types of tutus I saw – so much choice:
- Romantic Tutu: My favourite kind! Delicate tulle with romantic layers. Ideal for classical ballet or for adding some feminine touch to a simple outfit. This classic style is so versatile.
- Layered Tutu: Imagine a beautiful soft layer of tulle that’s layered and layered – it's dramatic! If you want to make a statement, this is it.
- Contemporary Tutu: For a contemporary dancer this style really allows for movement. This is the one that really brings the modern look to a tutu – it has clean lines, edgy colours and a lot of energy. So fabulous for a dance performance or for evening wear!
- Short Tutu: So trendy, and I mean it! This is like a little dress made out of tulle – perfect for the street and for nights out.
Don't get me wrong – it wasn’t just about tutus! You know what else was fabulous? The people! Huyton is known for its community spirit and it showed. There was a mix of people from all ages and backgrounds. It was so inspiring to see all of them enjoying a day in celebration of something beautiful.
It's the perfect example of how community and culture come together. It was all so magical and beautiful! A few more impressions of Tutu Tuesday, which I’m proud to have been part of :
- Tutus as Art: A display of handmade tutus and accessories! I loved the thoughtfulness that went into them. These are real works of art – each piece so unique and inspiring.
- Fun and Creativity: A real focus on celebrating dance and arts. And who knew Huyton would be the place for this new wave? Mary Jones’s energy is contagious and people from the whole community are getting involved and loving it! There was also a great workshop where kids got to design their own tutus, they were all so creative! I really enjoyed seeing this!
- Huyton is the Place to be on Tuesdays: It’s a great little market and Mary's planning on making it bigger, with more stalls and maybe even a dance competition, all of it themed around the tutu! What's not to love about that?
- #tututuesday is going global! It's amazing that this started in Huyton and is already making headlines, I’m getting loads of queries on social media about what it's all about! #tututuesday Huyton. It shows how community spirit is making a huge difference.
What can I say? Huyton has got a new buzz and a new kind of glamour! I can't wait to see what Mary Jones does next – I love what she's created and I know it's going to get even better - she's even talking about opening a tutu shop - watch this space – there's going to be a lot of swirling and twirling happening in Huyton, that’s for sure! #tututuesday #Huyton