Tutu Tuesday 22251

Tutu Tuesday in Pakenham, Victoria: A Celebration of the Pointe Shoe #tututuesday Hey fellow ballet lovers, It's Tutu Tuesday and you know what that means – time to celebrate our love for tutus! I'm here in Pakenham, Victoria, a little further out from the big city but close enough to feel the buzz of dance. The Pakenham Ballet School, is a little hidden gem and it’s such a beautiful studio. As a dancer, I absolutely love that no matter where you are in Australia, you can find a beautiful space to unleash your inner ballerina. Now, let's talk about tutus. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the classic Romantic tutu with its billowing layers of tulle, to the more modern and minimalist contemporary tutu. Today I’m in a Romantic style, so very traditionally beautiful, but in a contemporary fabric, a little more comfortable. For a dance class tutu you want something easy to move in but with the classic dancer shape. But enough about my personal choices - let's explore the magical world of tutus in a little more depth. A Brief History of the Tutu The tutu's evolution reflects ballet’s transformation over the centuries. Did you know? The early ballerina's attire was very, very different, it was loose and flowed, more akin to contemporary dance today. But imagine this in the 1830s, Marie Taglioni a celebrated ballerina changed things! Her vision for La Sylphide - this ethereal forest sprite in her groundbreaking romantic ballet – was something magical and a little out of the world. She took on the challenge, changing to something new and groundbreaking and, Voilà! The Romantic tutu. And she's not the only one. A handful of famous ballet dancers in the early years of ballet shaped the iconic tutus of today - ballerinas like Carlotta Grisi who brought in even shorter and more elaborate tutus. But the romantic, short-layered, dreamy tutu made its first big step, becoming synonymous with ballet and still, to this day, features in productions from around the globe. Tutu Styles: A Symphony of Shapes * The Romantic Tutu is, for me, the most iconic - it's what you’d call ‘classical’, layers and layers of tulle flowing with movement and usually featuring a short, bouffant shape. * The Classical Tutu – while still retaining that dreamy Romantic quality, it tends to have a bit more of a full skirt, and more layers, with a structured waist and a less pronounced bodice than the Romantic. * The Contemporary Tutu: This style offers a new look and often uses simple and often minimalist, forms - I adore these because the movement is allowed to shine. These often involve new and sometimes revolutionary fabrics. Tutu Tuesday: More Than Just a Day Tutu Tuesday in Pakenham has been incredible! This dance studio really goes above and beyond with its community spirit. It's not just about the beautiful tutus though, although they certainly are amazing, it’s about that unique sense of shared love, passion and dedication to this magical form of expression. And don’t get me started on the ballet slippers and their iconic satin - they’re almost as amazing as the tutus themselves! The whole Pakenham Ballet community knows it and the fun is palpable. From a casual beginner's class to professional ballerinas, there’s always an air of exhilaration that wraps around the studio, a vibe that comes with sharing a space and our love for the same dance form. I know, the whole world should celebrate Tutu Tuesday. Here’s some Tutu Tuesday inspo! • Join a local class or open a class at your local dance studio and be surprised, a sense of community will just radiate from those beautiful spaces! • Post your favorite tutu shots with the hashtag #tututuesday, tag your dance school or community, or tell us why you love tutus and how your favorite tutu makes you feel! • And don’t forget to have some fun! Dance to your heart's content and let your inner ballerina shine through. Let's keep the love for ballet and its glorious fashion – from pointe shoes to that breathtaking Romantic tutu, alive and flourishing! And for that we say cheers to #tututuesday!