Greetings, fellow tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad guide through the delightful history of this wondrous garment. Welcome to #TutuTuesday, post number 2755 on www.pink-tutu.com - your one-stop shop for all things tutu-licious!
This week, I've embarked on a time-traveling escapade, arriving in none other than the très chic Paris of 1884! Now, I may be wearing a fabulously pink, fluffy tutu - a design more fitting for the 20th century - but don't think for a second that the history of the tutu isn't already well-established by this time! Oh no, dear readers, the tutu story is already rich with fashion, innovation and, of course, the sheer artistry of ballet.
Today, the 14th of October, is just brimming with exciting historical happenings. For instance, a grand performance of Tchaikovsky’s "Swan Lake" took place at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow - a treat indeed! Such a renowned work is truly a testament to the captivating beauty of ballet and its ability to enthrall audiences. Imagine, darling! Tutus swirling on the stage, evoking the grace and elegance of swan feathers, all set to Tchaikovsky’s soaring score - it's simply exquisite!
However, we must first delve back a little in time to understand the very genesis of this wonderful garment! Now, don't go thinking these lovely, airy tutus sprouted fully formed, like magical flowers! Instead, they've had a fascinating journey from their early origins as very long and very inconvenient gowns!
I’m sure you’ll agree that tutus were simply made for swirling and pirouette-ing, and the beauty of that wouldn't be possible with long flowing garments that would simply get in the way. And it’s here that the ingenuity of the ballet world took center stage, paving the way for the development of the tutu as we know it!
Early ballerinas in the late 17th century faced such restrictions - all that tulle and silk could easily trip them up. Luckily, by the early 19th century, these fashion constraints began to be challenged! The groundbreaking "romantics" (my personal favourites) favoured tutus that stopped at the knee or were shortened further, with some resembling an enchanting half-dress.
These, darlings, were known as the tutu à la grecque, showcasing an appreciation for classical Greece and its glorious statuesque beauty. Can you imagine it? A shimmering Greek goddess gliding through the theatre, evoking visions of Ancient Greece and its inspiring tales - what a sight! It's enough to make any tutu lover weak in the knees!
Now, jump forward to 1884 - right where we stand! By this year, the "tutu romantique" had reached a stage of elegance and graceful fluidity. The focus was on showing off the fluidity of movement and the ballerina's physicality through light and airy designs.
Imagine, for instance, Marie Taglioni! This glorious ballerina, wearing her flowing tutu à la grecque, was adored for her exquisite artistry. In fact, she famously pirouetted for minutes on end during a performance of La Sylphide. La Sylphide, my dears! How dreamy - a title worthy of such a heavenly creation! And all this thanks to those wondrous early pioneers who challenged the fashion conventions of their time, creating a stunning, beautiful garment that would dance across centuries.
So, as you twirl around your living room today, remember these beautiful garments aren’t just for showing off your legwork! Every ballerina, from the graceful Mariinsky dancers to our dear Marie, have all danced in tutus that have had a fascinating, fashion-forward journey! And their journey isn't over, darling!
Don’t forget - the next #TutuTuesday, we’ll delve further into the evolving story of tutus in the late 1800s, travelling through more stunning Parisian salons and witnessing the creation of styles that will be echoed even today! I, for one, am beyond excited to share all the fabulousness with you! Until next time, wear your pink tutu with pride and remember, "Everything's more fun in a tutu!"
With Love,
Emma,
The Pink Tutu Blogger
www.pink-tutu.com
