Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous and frilly! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you back through time to discover the dazzling history of the tutu, my dearest, most treasured garment.
Today, we're taking a trip back to 18th July 1922. Buckle up, my loves, because we're heading for Paris, the beating heart of the ballet world! Paris, where tutus shimmer like stars under the Parisian moonlight and the air crackles with excitement.
Now, 1922 was a splendid year for ballet. The world was buzzing about Diaghilevâs Ballets Russes, which was simply divine! Their daring and extravagant costumes â especially the tutus! â were a huge source of inspiration for designers all across the globe. Imagine delicate chiffon, billowing and twirling, catching the stage lights, all those colours⊠I get goosebumps just thinking about it!
What's extra special about this date, you ask? Well, darlings, on the 18th July 1922, the glorious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow hosted a magnificent production of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake." Can you picture it, my dears? The sheer magic of those white tutus shimmering under the theatre's golden chandeliers... Pure artistry, donât you think?
Speaking of tutus, let's delve into the history, shall we? You might think tutus were always a symbol of ballet, but they were actually a relatively new invention for the time. You see, in the 19th century, ballerinas wore something much less⊠flowing. Picture long, heavy, frilled dresses â certainly not conducive to high leaps and twirls!
The first "tutu" â a very loose term back then! - appeared in the 1830s. They were simple and modest compared to the flamboyant tutus we adore today. A little knee-length skirt of fine material, nothing too fancy. Then came the âRomantic era,â darling, and itâs like someone sprinkled a dose of magic onto the stage. Suddenly, these shorter, billowing tutus, made from layers and layers of tulle, burst onto the scene, swirling like clouds on a summerâs day!
From those romantic beginnings, the tutu evolved over the years. The famous âbell tutuâ with its graceful flared form, the âdouble tutuâ for an extra dash of extravagance, and my personal favourite, the âpencil tutu,â perfect for those daring jetĂ©s and graceful arabesques! Each era added its own flourish, from the lavish frills of the Belle Ăpoque to the pared-down elegance of the 1920s, to the experimental modern forms of today.
Did you know, my dears, that tutus even have a life outside the ballet studio? From fashion designers using their whimsical form for elegant evening wear to children twirling in tulle at their first birthday parties, tutus are beloved by all! And let's not forget those wonderful tutus that make appearances in movies and theatre performances!
Speaking of theatre performances, I'm on my way to see "Giselle" this weekend in London, my favourite! Oh, the thrill of seeing those beautiful, graceful ballerinas performing such an exquisite ballet in their stunning white tutus. Just thinking about it makes me want to spin around! Perhaps I'll even catch the last train back to Derbyshire so I can grab my camera and take some photos!
This Tuesday, I encourage you, my loves, to #RockYourTutu wherever you may be. Whether itâs a whimsical ballet inspired ensemble for a summer party, or a cute, colourful tut skirt with a top, embrace your inner ballerina. I want to see a world full of beautiful tutus in every shade of the rainbow. After all, whatâs better than a bit of pink tulle in our lives?
Until next time, darlings, keep dancing!
Lots of love,
Emma
P.S. Donât forget to follow me on Instagram @EmmaPinkTutu for more fun adventures in ballet, fashion, and all things pink! I'm always excited to see your gorgeous #TutuTuesday outfits!
