subject: How Did The Ballet Bunnet Originate? [print this page] How Did The Ballet Bunnet Originate? How Did The Ballet Bunnet Originate?
Dancers have long known that hair flying about their faces is dangerous. Imagine what would have happened if Legnani allowed her flowing hair to stray across her field of vision in the middle of one of her famous 32 fouettes en tournant? Or Pavlova's amazing "Dying Swan" crumpling in a heap of her generous tresses? You get the picture.Ballet dancers have always known that hair flying about their faces is dangerous. Imagine what would have happened if Legnani allowed her flowing hair to stray across her field of vision in the middle of one of her famous 32 fouettes en tournant? Or Pavlova's amazing "Dying Swan" crumpling in a heap of her generous tresses? You get the picture.Tying hair into a tight little bun at the nape of the neck prevents accidents. This is just as important in dance classes as it is during performances. In traditional ballet, a tightly wound chignon is just as important as proper placement of the feet and arms.Where Did Ballet Bunnets Begin?Young dancers tend to have very, very fine strands of hair. So, even a tightly wound bun at the nape of the neck can come undone easily or will end up being straggly and unsightly.Ballet teachers are very keen on a neat look. Every toe in line, every facial nuance perfect and not a hair out of place for any student in their classes. Back in the early days, professional ballet dancers spent a lot of time learning how to crochet their own leg warmers in order to save money.It wasn't long before someone figured out that a lacy, crocheted bunnet could be as effective as a hairnet for keeping the bun in place. Although hair nets have been around since the days of Rosie the Riveter, those were too large in size to fit a small bun hairstyle. In addition, a bunnet could be crocheted in about 5 minutes and the crochet wool was taut enough to keep hair in place perfectly. Voila! A net for a bun that didn't slip off easily and did the job so well most dancers forget they are wearing them. Thus, a jazzy new name, "bunnet", was born.Today's BunnetsBallet still requires traditional buns for classes and performing. However, with today's hair gels and hair accessories , it's easier to buy a ballet bunnet in colors to match the haircolor. This allows the dancer's bun to appear perfectly coiffed at all times, even during adagio lifts with a partnering dancer. The materials from which ballet bunnets are made are nylon, similar to the old style hairnets of the 1940's and have stretchability so that one size fits the youngest dancer to the oldest. Bunnets are relatively inexpensive and dancers love to keep a half dozen at least in their dance bags.Other Uses For Ballet BunnetsA ballet bunnet can also be used as part of costuming. Many dancers just add coin-sized sequins to a bunnet and create glittery accessories. This is preferable to wearing cumbersome tiaras and other head pieces.
