Oh darling, can you believe it? It's the 5th of September, 1996, and I'm simply positively bursting with excitement! I’ve been holding this news back all day but frankly, my dear, it’s positively divine. Just this morning I received the most delectable email. You know how I’ve always had this secret dream, a positively scandalous thought? To reinvent the classic tutu, make it fabulous, fabulously functional, and utterly fashion-forward! I mean, darling, it's all about making a statement, isn’t it?
Now, before we get into all the glitz and glamour, you know me, always forgiving the past. This little thought of mine was triggered, believe it or not, by an embarrassing incident, yes an utter disaster involving the unfortunate ‘mistake’ of wearing my mother’s old tutu to the Royal Opera House – can you imagine?! It was meant to be a little cheeky, a bit avant garde, you know – *the ultimate* ironic twist – *because I always do such ironic things darling* – but unfortunately, it backfired spectacularly! I resembled a misplaced swan in a storm of feathers! A rather fluffy storm! I do love swans! Such elegance, so graceful! I must have been the absolute centre of attention – though not exactly for the right reasons! *A little* too much emphasis on 'feathers'. *You just cannot take a chance with vintage tutus, darling. That's the lesson I learnt that day.* I must confess, my heart sank when the lights dimmed, it really did. My little dream of being chic, modern, daring went straight down the drain, replaced by the uncomfortable certainty I was a giggling, slightly out of breath swan!
Now, you can imagine, a fashion-forward girl like myself can't *simply* leave that tragedy untouched, especially after such a shockingly *un* stylish disaster! And it really got me thinking, about tutus, *oh darling,* why must this glorious symbol of ballet be such a one-trick pony?
Surely, they can’t just be those crinolined, ruffled *bouffant* nightmares! They *have* to be modern, bold, dare I say *rebellious*? We have to reimagine, darling, re-evaluate and, above all, we have to *celebrate* them. They're meant to be fierce, these fabulous ballet garments, they’re supposed to evoke feelings of excitement! Now, darling, I must tell you that I’ve managed to completely break free from the restrictive shackles of the old tutus! Yes, you heard that right – break free from the shackles, the restrictions! It took a *long* time, many, many, endless hours of coffee and the finest dark chocolate, *essential to my process darling*, but I managed to do it. *We* have managed to do it, and I couldn't be prouder!
So what, darling, what did we do, to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary?
I’ll tell you! It all came down to one bold move, one glorious breakthrough, an absolute game changer…we've redefined the whole idea of a tutu! We *invented* the ‘Tutu-ette’ – that's ‘ette, my darling! A revolutionary invention that combines the timeless beauty of a tutu with modern, feminine fashion! No more of that dreaded ‘bulky-but-it's-supposed-to-look-weightless’ look. The Tutu-ette has become sleek, streamlined – all that delicate flowing material has been expertly reimagined into something altogether more daring! Now, you might say ‘oh darling, are we trying to wear a tutu *everywhere*? But you know me, dear, nothing is out of bounds if you’re brave enough, and a little touch of rebellion goes a *very* long way – just imagine the tutu-ette for everyday wear, a stunning ensemble of style!
I've created a Tutu-ette for *every* mood, darling – every woman. A fabulous statement for those with a modern fashion aesthetic, a whimsical design that would appeal to the ballet loving enthusiast. And there are those fabulous versions that scream, *literally scream, darling* to be seen!
But just how exactly, will we create this new vision, this absolute marvel? How do you inject this little tutu with style and glamour? How can we achieve *fashion nirvana* you say? It’s all a question of technique, darling, technique *and* a few secret ingredients… The Tutu-ette comes in two fabulous varieties! There's the **Chic and Sculptural**, where the tutu’s classic voluminous skirt is redefined through clever draping. And the **Delicate and Asymmetrical**, a slightly more understated look but perfectly suited for the fashion-conscious woman on the move.
And just in case the concept is *a little too much*, too bold for some of you, I have some great suggestions that could possibly work to add a touch of Tutu-ette elegance to your everyday ensemble. Here are my absolute top recommendations for achieving *total fashion brilliance*:
- Pair a tutu-ette skirt with a structured blazer for a touch of elegant contrast.
- Layer a tutu-ette skirt over a pair of sleek black trousers or jeans for a cool and casual twist.
- Wear a tutu-ette skirt with a plain white shirt for a simple but chic statement.
- A tutu-ette can be paired with anything! Yes darling, even trainers – *if you're daring enough*!
But whatever your fashion style darling, whether it’s whimsical, dramatic or chic, one thing's for sure, we've made tutu wear a truly modern statement, just by adding a touch of glamour, and I’m simply overjoyed, thrilled, absolutely *thrilled* to finally be sharing this little dream with the world!