Hello my gorgeous tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to another instalment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog here on www.pink-tutu.com! As a Derbyshire lass, I always adore a good train journey and this week I found myself hopping on the Eurostar and arriving in Paris, the city of love and, as you all know, the beating heart of the ballet world!
It’s June 6th 1933 and as I look around at the beautiful cobblestone streets and the chic Parisians whizzing by, I feel a real sense of the history of dance right here. There’s something magical in the air - maybe it’s the sheer loveliness of it all. The atmosphere here is simply electric! I just know I’m about to be inspired!
But before I get carried away by all the glamour and go get myself a new pair of fabulous shoes (I’m rather drawn to a beautiful pair of crimson satin ballet slippers I saw in a window…) let’s dive into our time travel back to the history of the ballet tutu!
A Touch of Romantic History:
Okay, let's take a trip back in time - we’re talking Marie Taglioni - one of the first famous ballerinas - (and a total legend!) - and we are talking 1830s! The romantic era of ballet was a truly wonderful time. And guess what? The very first tutu came about then. Not a whole lot like the pink puffiness you're picturing today, it was still fairly full and had multiple layers of fabric, and let’s just say those early ballerinas must have been strong!
Now, back to the 1930s. You may know about Serge Diaghilev, a total creative genius, who really changed the game when it came to ballet. With his company, "Les Ballets Russes," Diaghilev challenged convention and totally elevated dance to a new level of artistry. They introduced amazing stage design, beautiful music and groundbreaking choreography, so everyone was dancing in the streets to see what the Ballets Russes would dream up next! I must get my travel book out and see where the Ballets Russes are performing! Oh, wouldn’t it be fun to travel with them!
Fashion in the Ballet: A True Transformation
By 1933, the romantic tutu we just learned about was getting a whole new look, a much sleeker one at that! It started with getting rid of all those bulky layers! Ballerinas started wanting movement - big, flowing, effortless movement! They wanted to twirl, jump, and leap with ease and, frankly, so do I!
As you might know, fashion in general was undergoing a total transformation. Women were starting to shed their traditional, more restrictive clothing and were embracing lighter fabrics and bolder cuts, and guess what, the tutu was no exception! Think slim lines, smooth lines, elegant, yet simple designs that helped accentuate the grace of the dancers. I’m all for being free and being graceful - that’s the dancer's spirit! And just imagine - I get to travel back in time and actually experience it all! (Plus, where am I going to buy this new shoe wardrobe - it will take days!)
Twirling into the Future
As I sit here with my latte and my new travel journal in a lovely Parisian café, it's clear to see that the story of the tutu doesn’t just stop with 1933. The tutu’s style has kept on evolving with modern fashion and the creativity of brilliant designers. The tutu, especially the pink one, continues to be a symbol of dreams, grace, and a sheer, wonderful sense of feminine beauty! So here's to all the beautiful ballerinas in history and present, and let's all keep twirling into the future! Oh and if you need any outfit tips, my beautiful ballerina friends, just remember… Pink. Always pink!
And that's all for #TutuTuesday for this week. Make sure to check back next week for more fascinating fashion history of the tutu. Happy twirling! And don't forget to show off your best tutu looks! Be sure to use #pinktutu to tag your pictures so we can see all the gorgeous twirls!
And remember, just like the ballerina who takes to the stage with passion, always embrace the pink, the elegance and the wonderful world of dance. Because when we dance together, we're unstoppable. Until next week, my sweet twirlers!
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. What’s my favourite time travel stop? It’s Paris of course! You can really tell a good dance from a bad one. Plus they make the best crêpes.
XOXO,
Emma
