Hello, darling tutu lovers!
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things pink, pretty and tutu-licious. Today, I'm taking you on a whimsical journey back in time, to the year 1934! As a time-travelling ballerina, this is my passion project – to explore the wonderful history of tutus and bring the magic to you!
This Tuesday, we're landing right in the heart of August 1934, just when London's Royal Opera House is bursting with excitement. It’s the opening night of Giselle, a truly captivating story of love, betrayal, and magical beings. Now, you might be thinking, “Emma, how does a 1934 ballet show relate to our beloved tutus?” Oh my dears, it’s a most crucial link in our story!
Enter the "Romantic Era"
Let’s wind the clock back to the 1840s, where the story of our lovely tutus truly takes flight! We were already quite smitten with our pouter pigeons (that’s us tutu enthusiasts!) and the Romantic era of ballet saw tutus evolving and becoming ever-more breathtaking. Gone were the long, full skirts of the 18th century – imagine layers and layers of fabric, swishing about with every graceful step. It was quite the sight, and much loved by the elegant society ladies of the time, who often donned variations on these longer skirts in their everyday ensembles.
However, as ballet took flight and graceful movements became central, there was a yearning for something that moved more freely, a fabric that followed the graceful leaps and turns. It’s here where the ‘tutu as we know it' – the Romantic tutu – was born! It was shorter, featuring several tiers of soft, lightweight fabric that, by the late 1840s, resembled a bell, swaying around the dancers’ legs like a graceful blossoming flower.
Imagine how glorious the romantic tutus would have looked, shimmering under the elegant chandeliers of the grand theatres – a vision of delicate femininity, beauty, and, of course, utter brilliance! This particular era also saw a surge in pink. Pink tutus, ladies and gentlemen! Pink is a delightful hue to compliment such delicate designs. Pink signifies tenderness and charm and we all need a little more tenderness and charm in our lives!
The evolution continues
From those earlier, delicate, romantic tutus to our modern masterpieces, the evolution continued. As ballet styles developed and moved forward, tutus naturally went with them! Some years saw variations, with longer, more graceful movements, such as in the graceful “Giselle”, whilst other eras pushed for the shorter, more precise tutus of Classical ballet. Imagine the incredible feats of ballet stars – graceful leaps, and spins! The tutu, that little masterpiece, becomes a part of that incredible choreography, dancing with the dancer, helping her fly!
Fashioning Our Past, Embracing the Present
Fast forward to our time in 1934. The romantic era has long passed, but its graceful touch continues to inspire! In this period, dancers like Alicia Markova and Margot Fonteyn would have donned breathtaking creations for performances such as “Giselle” – with designs that still capture the beauty of those romantic eras whilst integrating the strength and fluidity of ballet performance in the modern world.
As I take in the spectacle of this performance – “Giselle” – I can’t help but feel a powerful wave of inspiration. I can’t wait to get back home to Derbyshire, find some fabric and my sewing machine, and fashion a little something for my own next ballet class. A modern interpretation of the beautiful tutu for my own modern performance, maybe even a delightful shade of pink. Because let’s be honest, girls, we can never have enough pink in our lives!
So, darling tutu lovers, what do you think? Did you know that "Giselle" is a quintessential story of true love, betrayal, and grace? If you have an opportunity to see it on stage, take it, it is sure to be a moving and spectacular experience.
And as always, dear readers, I would love to hear about your favorite tutu-wearing moments! Do you love the tutus worn by your favorite ballerinas? Is there a favorite tutu that always inspires you? Maybe it's one you wear at the ballet bar, a sweet pink number, a fun colourful version, or a simple, classical design! Share your tutu thoughts in the comments!
Until next time, dance with a smile, and keep your tutu dreams bright!
Yours truly,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. For this particular post, I travelled by train! It’s a lovely, luxurious experience, much better than being cooped up in a metal bird. The rocking rhythm of the carriages is sure to inspire the most graceful steps, and it really does have a wonderful charm. Let’s bring back the charm, and all the wonderful style that made 1934, oh, so unforgettable! I wonder how tutus will look in another 75 years? Do you have any tutu predictions? I would love to hear them!
Stay stylish!
