Hey lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another thrilling edition of #TutuTuesday! Today we're taking a whirl back in time, all the way to 25th July, 1882. Can you imagine life without tutus? Shudder - I certainly can't. Today we're diving into the fascinating history of the tutu and finding out just how much they have changed. Let's go!
It’s so hot here in Paris, but I'm positively swooning over the latest fashion in the opera house - I do love to see an audience full of beautifully dressed women and handsome men. I’ve been travelling all over, enjoying ballet performances and performances of operetta, a real treat after all those rehearsals at the ballet studio. I’m even heading out to a party at the Moulin Rouge this week, oh, darling! I just love these grand buildings in Paris, full of so much history, and of course they have a delicious cafe where you can have the most exquisite chocolate croissants in the whole world! It’s simply delicious!
Oh, but I’m digressing again! The reason I’m here in the French capital, in addition to all of these wonderful things to do, is to discover more about the story of the tutu! It is such an incredible fashion accessory - if I were to give it a name it would be the ‘most romantic invention in fashion’. The tutu can bring both grandeur and frivolity, and a beautiful, ethereal air of femininity! Oh, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Let's take a stroll back to the 1880s, darling. The tutu's journey has been one of continuous change and evolution. In the mid-1800s, it was a fluffy, romantic affair – gasp, you can still see the early influences in modern styles, but oh my goodness have things changed since then!
Back in 1882, the most prominent ballerina to grace the stage, Marie Taglioni, was one of the first dancers to sport the tutu in all its romantic glory! (She just had to show off in a perfectly pink one at her most famous role as La Sylphide.) Just imagine a diaphanous cloud of tulle that flowed around her, the kind of look that would make you weep with the sheer artistry. It is almost like the ballerinas had taken the fabric of dreams themselves and created these little magical dancing gowns. Sigh...the sheer artistry.
But, oh the drama, lovelies. Some folks just had to change things up. The arrival of the Romantic tutu came at the same time as, for example, more practical skirts, the kinds that were used to play ball with, a real contrast in the ethereal world of ballet. But then there came tight-fitting pants - yes, I can’t believe it either! It was like a whole rebellion against the delicate world of ballet - although they have come back into style for male ballet dancers now - those who like tight-fitting trousers can't complain that those costumes look uncomfortable now!
Oh, the romance. It's worth thinking about how our little tutus have managed to remain in the limelight for so many decades - in the Victorian Era and the decades before and after. Ballet is something to hold close. Something to be proud of - I remember wearing a dress made by my great grandmother for my ballet performances - I didn’t realize back then just how special that dress was. It was just about to start falling apart at the seams but she mended it - she was so sweet. Ballet was very special to her as it is to me.
The beautiful thing about the tutu is how it makes every performance different, no matter how similar the routine. The shape can be quite simply magnificent. From romantic classics like "La Sylphide" to dramatic works like "Swan Lake", tutues have graced countless iconic dance routines. And yes, darling, the tutu is ever-evolving, constantly offering up new shapes, sizes, and lengths to showcase a ballerina's grace and strength - what a spectacle!
Oh darling! Did you see "The Nutcracker"? The Sugar Plum Fairy was just heavenly - there is just so much going on in those tutus, they are so intricately designed. But the dancers move with such skill that you forget you are watching clothing being worn; it looks as if they are floating like a beautiful ballerina fairy. The design, the grace, and that heavenly lightness of the tutu is absolutely mesmerizing! It was like the dancer was suspended between time and space; it is so dramatic, it is captivating, simply breath-taking,
If you’re reading this and you want to experience a tutu for yourself you have to check out your local ballet studio or theatre. It is amazing to me how these dancers get ready for shows. Sometimes there’s not so much going on with the outfits and makeup. I actually bought one of my favourite tutus - in the color pink - from my favourite little vintage clothes store, "Vintage Belle", in the lovely town I come from called Bakewell in Derbyshire. My family were shocked but they all come to my ballet shows - I really think my mom, Dad, my siblings and even my grandfather have been swayed. I think that ballet will have its comeback in Derbyshire!
It really is amazing to me, as a person from Derbyshire to see how the tutu has traveled the world to be loved, enjoyed and respected! Even in Paris, they love a good ballet - a good tutus are everywhere on the dance stages - the fashion here is just so delicious. This wonderful little garment really does connect people! We even go to watch a little dance troupe in our small village, Bakewell, they are rather amazing; we try to attend their shows in the Town Hall whenever we can! Ballet isn’t just for cities, no sir, the art form reaches all corners, but yes, a trip to Paris is great too!
What do you say, loves? Join me in celebrating this iconic piece of fashion history, one spin and leap at a time. Maybe one day we’ll all be able to go for tea and chat while wearing our own pink tutus. I might even organize a tutus tea party at the ballet studio and get a beautiful big vintage tutu made, that would be an ideal thing for the tutu enthusiast! If anyone knows where to buy one or wants to create something like that let me know. If you find anything great just send a photo to my blog.
Stay tuned, loves, as we embark on our tutu time travels together!
Much love, Emma x
