Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu aficionado, and welcome to my #TutuTuesday! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to travel through time and discover the fascinating history of the ballet tutu! Today, we're venturing back to the 12th of December, 1950, a truly iconic year for the dance world. Let's step onto the platform and head back in time together!
As my trusty vintage steamer trunk bursts open, revealing a plethora of fluffy pink tulle and glittering sequins, I feel a familiar excitement bubbling within me. It's time to transport ourselves back to 1950! My time travel plans this week are made even more delightful by the knowledge that "The Sleeping Beauty" is being performed tonight in Covent Garden. Now, we all know a ballet isn't complete without a dazzling array of tutus.
Picture the scene, darlings. London in December 1950. I've just arrived in this magical city by train. The city sparkles with Christmas lights and festive cheer, the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air, and a whisper of excitement ripples through the city – for the Royal Ballet is set to perform "The Sleeping Beauty," one of the most iconic ballet productions of the era. Oh, the tutus in "The Sleeping Beauty" – utterly divine! The flowing lines and delicate tiers of the ballerina's tutus capture the grace and ethereal beauty of a classic fairytale.
For the women, I'm dreaming of the sheer romanticism of a delicate tulle confection like Princess Aurora's pink tutu, the absolute epitome of ballerina chic. There's nothing quite like a tutu to make a girl feel like a fairytale princess! And for the men, I picture those iconic tight trousers and graceful leotards! They are just the thing to allow for movement in a traditional, yet dynamic style!
But hold on, darlings, our exploration of ballet's past isn't about admiring the beauty of those perfectly spun tutus – it's about understanding how these wonderful garments evolved! I must share a secret: the tutu, like all of our favourite fashion icons, has a rich and complex history!
Imagine a time when a ballerina would simply wear a long, flowing, romantic skirt on stage. Imagine, a ballet where there wasn't a perfectly crafted, fluffy, romantic cloud of pink or white tulle to see. That, darlings, was a time before the tutu. It's simply inconceivable! I mean, where would we be without them? No graceful pirouettes, no leaps with seemingly magical effortlessness – it simply wouldn't be ballet, darling!
In the early 1800s, Marie Taglioni, a true ballerina pioneer, broke free from the confines of those long, heavy skirts. This daring dancer donned a shorter, lightweight, romantic skirt and this gave rise to the tutu. But don't let that word "short" fool you. These early tutus, darlings, reached to about the knees, and they were adorned with beautiful ornamentation, layers, and delicate fabrics. It was a new age, a new silhouette and it ushered in a truly exciting era for ballet.
But the real innovation, my dears, happened about 50 years later! I'm talking about the tutu we see today. This was the romantic period when ballet truly blossomed. In 1870, the tutu transformed once more, taking on its iconic form that we are still enthralled by today. Gone was the longer version – a ballerina was able to leap higher, turn faster, and perform more intricate choreography. A true testament to the beauty of a practical innovation. Oh, the romantic period, what a delight to look at! What grace, elegance and movement! I love the look and the feel of the Victorian and Edwardian era. I mean, this is a look which still inspires fashion houses around the globe!
And what a change in fashion! That's where I truly feel inspired, darlings. I just love taking ideas from ballet and fashion and bringing them together. So what a fabulous opportunity! The tutu, my dears, has served as a canvas for brilliant creative designers throughout history. I love that! The 1950s saw a revival of a soft, billowing silhouette, bringing that traditional, dreamy romanticism back into focus. In 1950s ballet, a sense of drama returned to the tutu – it became grand, opulent, with large layers of tulle and gorgeous detailing. These romantic masterpieces, darlings, are the reason why we’re still obsessed with ballet, even to this day. They were as dramatic as a Hollywood costume! They weren't just a costume – they were an incredible, dazzling artwork!
Now I must confess, a trip back to the 12th of December 1950 makes me dream about ballet classes and my ballet lessons here in Derby, England. Ballet has changed and it's such a gift to be able to combine my passion for ballet with this wonderful history! There is so much I can glean from the past and apply to my own dancing.
The tutu may be a symbol of grace and elegance, but it's also a reminder that every garment in fashion has a rich history, it's a historical thread woven into our culture! But enough about tutus, darlings! I know how you love to join me as I make my way to a show in Covent Garden. A truly unforgettable event! Let me fill you in.
London's Covent Garden Theatre in 1950? Absolutely stunning! We're in the heart of a buzzing theatre world with exciting ballet and opera. Tonight’s performance? It's "The Sleeping Beauty" – I simply cannot wait! We’ll have an extraordinary array of tutus on display! Just as in a glamorous film, it’s a true spectacle.
I know just what I'm wearing, too, to fit in with the dazzling display. I have a brand new pink tutu! With its three tiers, soft, dreamy tulle, and delicate pink sequins. What better choice, darlings, than to embrace the beauty of those enchanting days? My time machine may run on an incredible invention, but a time traveller must stay true to the latest trends in fashion, so of course, I need the perfect dress and a fantastic tutu for this journey back through the decades. As you can see, darling, I’ve got all my travelling essentials!
But this doesn't mean we don't appreciate all the fantastic styles throughout the ages. The history of ballet shows that each generation reinterprets the tutu in its own style! Ballet, just like life, darlings, is full of twists and turns and exciting moments! The tutu is constantly evolving! We can see how ballet, just like all forms of art and culture, is always inspired by a different generation. You will notice new and innovative choreography as well as tutu styles with more contemporary lines and interesting detail.
This weekend, take time to admire these lovely costumes, especially the ones in our classic performances. And let us celebrate those ballerinas who've brought the art form to life, with the most incredible designs!
Darling, until next Tuesday when we venture through time to see another fascinating aspect of ballet, don’t forget, fashion is for everyone! Every day is tutu time! So grab a beautiful pink tutu and get twirling! Now, if you'll excuse me, it’s time to go and see “The Sleeping Beauty!” And perhaps try on some of those exquisite, dazzling, sparkling tutus. I hear the theatre shop has the most magnificent collection – with so much inspiration to take us on to another exciting Tuesday. I’m absolutely convinced, darlings, the tutu can help make the world a more fun, and much prettier place! Let’s spread some joy with the colour pink, and of course, that tutu magic.
Bye bye now and see you next week, my lovely readers.
