#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1927-02-08

Hiya Darlings! Emma here, back for another #TutuTuesday and ready to whisk you back in time on our fabulous fashion journey!

This week, I've hopped aboard the Orient Express, a grand old train taking me to the very heart of the Parisian ballet world. Oh, darling, Paris is the place to be when you’re looking for elegant ballet and exquisite costumes.

As a time-traveling fashionista with a passion for the fluffy and the pink (don’t you judge, everyone has a secret obsession!), my journey wouldn’t be complete without sharing some ballet history. And today’s date, 8th February, 1927, marks a special time in the evolution of our beloved tutu!

So, put on your favourite pair of dancing shoes (pink, naturally!), pour yourself a cuppa, and let’s step back into a world of glittering performances and elegant grace.

We all know the classical tutu, that fluffy confection of tulle that gives ballerinas that ethereal, floating quality on stage. But did you know that this wasn’t always the case?

In the early days of ballet (think the late 18th and early 19th century), ballerinas would perform in what we call "Romantic era" tutus. Imagine layers and layers of white or cream-coloured gauze. It was all very pretty, very feminine, but rather… cumbersome. Not really suited to big, dramatic leaps, you see?

However, there was a lot of focus on femininity and soft, elegant movements. It was a time of beautifully lyrical dancing, more suited to expressing emotion rather than the power of technical precision. These earlier tutus were quite short as well. Think a knee-length or even shorter design, so they could really show off those beautiful leg movements!

Now, darling, while we’re on the subject of knee-length, if anyone ever tries to tell you that a tutu is impractical, just point out how the knee-length designs were quite popular in the past, weren't they?

Around the middle of the 19th century, we started seeing a bit of a shift in both ballet and in fashion. Ballet tutus were moving from being long, flowy dresses towards what we now recognize as a tutu. Imagine soft, ethereal layers of tulle ending around the hip, giving dancers the freedom to perform dramatic leaps and turns with elegance and grace.

It was a revolutionary move in ballet, but a welcome one for dancers, giving them greater freedom to express themselves and take the stage with those dynamic leaps! This was a pivotal moment that paved the way for the grand ballets we adore today!

Imagine the excitement surrounding this transition, darling. Imagine a ballet going from one type of dress to something so new and airy! This really was a significant time for the development of ballet, and something that we owe much thanks to.

This was the era where the short tulle revolution was firmly in place! The “ballet skirt” was being redefined, taking its cue from the new art-deco styles. Think simple lines, clean silhouettes, geometric patterns, and dazzling materials!

Remember, a new and beautiful stage in dance fashion was unfolding at the turn of the century with ballerinas experimenting with colors other than white. That's why we see amazing designs incorporating bolder colours, rich textures and beautiful decorations like pearls and beads! The tutu became much more theatrical and extravagant!

This was a period in which dance became increasingly innovative, allowing for powerful displays of athleticism. It demanded new and lighter costumes. Remember, dancers are athletes! They're as strong and powerful as any rugby player, yet with the grace and poise of a swan! This new way of thinking about a ballerina led to this new revolution in tutu design.

And it's a style that's still beloved and copied today! Take a look at the 'classical' tutu worn today and you'll still see its influences in a shorter design, often incorporating new fabrics and innovations, while staying true to those artistic designs and elegance that emerged from the Art-Deco era. And speaking of elegance!

Now, darling, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you all about the fabulous Parisian boutiques and ateliers that were thriving at this time! These fashion houses were turning out elegant clothing for everyone! And imagine a world where one's 'evening gown' is almost indistinguishable from a ballerina's stage costume!

And yes, you read that right! A glamorous outfit that was worn to a ball was something that you might see in the theatre at the same time. Ballet fashion was influencing mainstream fashion! Imagine wearing a tulle dress that swished and moved with you, capturing that graceful femininity! Oh darling, it's a dreamy idea! And what a fun era to have lived in!

Here in our own little time, darling, the ballet world has embraced the evolution of tutus with passion, experimentation, and incredible talent. Designers create amazing variations in colour, material, and shape. We're lucky to see such amazing variety!

But one thing's for sure, whether we're stepping back in time or right into a contemporary performance, the love for ballet tutus hasn't faded. It remains a symbol of beauty, grace, and artistry! And why shouldn’t it? They’re wonderfully dramatic and perfectly dreamy. Just ask my inner child!

Now darling, do me a favour and tell me what your favourite style of ballet tutu is? What era does it hail from? What colour makes your heart flutter?

And remember, it's always #TutuTuesday, so grab your best pink tutu and join me next week for another history journey. Until then, darling! Keep on dancing!