Hello fellow twirling enthusiasts! 🩰 Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutus and ballet. It's Tutu Tuesday, and I'm Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on another fabulous journey through the wonderful world of ballet history. This week, we're waltzing back to the 19th century to delve into the origins of that iconic symbol of grace: the tutu! Today's blog is #2013 - what a milestone! Let's begin our history lesson.
It's 26th July 1870, and I've just disembarked from the train in the dazzling metropolis of Paris. Imagine, a city full of magnificent shops brimming with exquisite fashion! Oh, and of course, breathtaking ballet! To get here I've danced in a show or two - a travelling troupe really does come in handy for a fashionista with wanderlust, don't you think? 😉
But, you might be asking, what's the deal with tutus? Well, let's take a trip back in time! Ballet has always been about graceful movements and flowing lines. However, those early ballet costumes weren't quite the wispy masterpieces we see today. Imagine layers and layers of petticoats and heavy silks, great for swishing and twirling, but not exactly ideal for leaps and high kicks! That's where the revolutionary "tutu" came in, although not quite the frilly, frothy, and fabulous ones we adore today.
Our little ballet tutus can trace their ancestry to the early 1800s, in France. The first "tutus" were quite different - more like loose, gathered skirts reaching just above the ankle. The "tutu" was a new development in dance costumes. It provided dancers the flexibility to move with ease, and finally allowed them to show off their elegant limbs and beautiful legwork - all thanks to this amazing garment.
Our favourite romantic ballerina, the beautiful Marie Taglioni, is one of the stars who popularised these early tutus, and she certainly rocked them with effortless grace. Imagine seeing her twirling on the Parisian stage! Just divine. As the romantic period in ballet evolved, tutus became more dramatic, with delicate designs and layers, even incorporating lightweight netting - it must have been a sight to behold!
Today, 26th July 1870, is a historic day! It is the date of a monumental premiere of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' in Moscow. This famous ballet tells the story of the transformation of Odette, the Swan Queen, and Prince Siegfried. It’s full of delicate choreography, and is famous for it's beautiful tutus. I simply have to see this show for myself.
Back to those enchanting tutus! Now let’s skip forward to the end of the 19th century. Imagine the tutus that would make a modern day ballet lover swoon: The famous tutu style known as the “classical tutu” emerged as dancers needed even more flexibility. The tutu began taking its familiar shape. Think full, circular and puffy, made of several layers of stiff netting! This style, known as the "Classical" tutu, gave those dramatic pirouettes, impressive jeté jumps and breathtaking grand jeté movements the grand look we know and adore. They are almost a dream-like sight on stage. They give a whole new definition to the meaning of “whirlwind of a performance”!
What would life be like without tutus? They are essential in the world of ballet, allowing those dazzling leaps and arabesques! They showcase those breathtaking legs and gorgeous body line! These amazing costumes let every ballet dancer shine bright on the stage, becoming an integral part of their grace, artistry, and power.
Now for a little dose of fashion from a pink tutu wearer: You simply must incorporate some pink in your wardrobe, dear readers! I love wearing ballet inspired clothes. A delicate tulle skirt paired with a flowing silk blouse can transport you to a fairytale ball, even in the middle of London, wouldn't you agree? I love finding unique designs from those vintage stores in the heart of Kensington. Think swirling fabrics, a beautiful blush tone, that delicate pink. Add a pair of pink ballet flats - sigh they are absolute perfection!
I can’t wait to see more amazing ballets in this wonderful city. Maybe I can even convince someone to try wearing a tutu with me on my next journey around the world!
Until next week, darling readers! Happy twirling, and stay chic,
Emma x
P.S. Make sure you don’t forget to visit our website, www.pink-tutu.com, for even more fabulous blog posts and insights into the world of tutus! Do remember to share your own tutu inspirations and style on our website and across social media with the hashtag #pinktutu. You’ll find all our tutus from all different ballet periods!
TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #Ballet #Fashion #Travel #History #Paris #Tchaikovsky #SwanLake