Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, my darlings! This week, I'm taking you on a whirlwind journey back to 1885. Grab your best pink tutus (because who can resist a good trip to the past in a pink tutu, right?), hop aboard the train, and prepare to be whisked away!
This week's #TutuTuesday blog is extra special, as it's number 2774 – can you believe it? It feels like only yesterday I was a tiny Derbyshire girl with a love for pink and tutus, and now I’m gallivanting around the world, exploring ballet history through the ages! I can't think of anything more fun.
Today's adventure takes us to…drumroll Paris! Ah, the City of Lights, the hub of style and sophistication! Where better to talk about the evolution of the ballet tutu than the heart of the fashion world itself? I’m imagining myself waltzing down the Champs-Élysées, a shimmering pink tutu fluttering behind me. So dreamy!
Fashion and the tutu: 1885 was a fascinating time for fashion, a period of delicate flounces, extravagant ruffles, and corseted waists. It was a world where fashion designers were true artists, pushing boundaries and exploring new shapes and silhouettes. In fact, we see a similar theme in ballet.
The "Romantic Tutu": In the ballet world, we're moving through the "Romantic era" which brought us the first iterations of the tutu! While today's ballerina is often seen in the more practical and lightweight "Classical tutu" or "short tutu", the Romantic era focused on "The Long Tutu." Picture this: a breathtaking gown of delicate tulle, layers upon layers cascading to the ballerina's ankles, perfectly showing off the elegance of movement. A dream of layers and soft tulle – absolutely divine!
Inspiration from nature? Some ballet historians speculate that the Romantic era’s “long tutu" drew inspiration from the flowing petals of a rose – the romantic era's flower, after all! Just picture a graceful ballerina swirling across the stage, mimicking the beautiful, natural movement of a rose, the perfect symbol of beauty, romance, and artistry. Now that's poetic, don't you think?
The tutu's journey towards brevity: But why, you ask, did the romantic tutu, in its exquisite, floating form, have to morph into the more condensed tutus we see today? The answer, dear reader, is simple: a matter of movement!
Ballet, at its heart, is an art form of grace, poise, and, yes, incredible physicality! Over time, as ballet evolved, choreographers began incorporating complex movements that demanded flexibility and lightness of form. The voluminous Romantic tutu, as graceful as it was, could sometimes restrict the movement. This led to the introduction of the more practical "Classical" or “Short Tutu.” A tutu designed to allow the ballerinas to jump, spin, and glide effortlessly, without restriction.
Tutus on the Stage: 1885 witnessed some incredible ballets! I’d have loved to travel back in time to see the “La Bayadère”, choreographed in 1877. It’s the perfect example of how the tutu is more than just a garment. It’s an essential component of creating the magical world of the ballet, the story unfolding on the stage. I just can’t wait to be swept away by the beautiful music and to see the ballerinas swirling in their romantic, delicate tutus!
But 1885 is a special year in the world of ballet for another reason. On February 24th, it was the birthday of none other than Anna Pavlova, a legend whose influence on ballet is undeniable. Now, this is someone who could make any tutu look ethereal! Her graceful movements, her innate artistry, and her ability to connect with her audience made her a ballet icon! It’s no surprise, then, that Pavlova’s performances often served as an inspiration for a multitude of dancers. Even today, her name is synonymous with the elegance and refinement of ballet, which I’m so proud to be a part of!
Tutu Time! While it may not be exactly like those iconic ballerinas of the past, you can find your own special tutus to wear in our pink-tutu.com shop . I have so many colours and styles of pink tutus in stock - something for every ballerina, whatever your age or style. Just remember: there’s no time like the present to embrace your inner ballerina!
Until next week, happy tutuing!
