Hello darling dears, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. As always, I'm your fashionable pink tutu-clad friend Emma, straight from Derbyshire and right back in time! I’m buzzing with excitement to be writing to you all from a very special date today, August 10th, 1954. Buckle up for a trip down memory lane filled with shimmering tutus and oh-so-fabulous dance performances!
First of all, let’s get right to the heart of the matter, what happened today back in the 1950s? On this very date in 1954, a momentous occasion took place - the iconic ballet film "The Red Shoes" had its world premiere at the Empire Theatre in London! Talk about a dazzling spectacle. The film, directed by the talented Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, is an absolute treat to watch and tells the compelling story of Vicky, a ballerina caught between love and art, torn by the allure of ballet and a passionate but impossible love story.
To see this masterpiece on the big screen in 1954 must have been truly magical, all those amazing sets and costumes, with all that beautiful choreography. If you ever get the chance to see it - definitely do. But now let's step back and dive into the history of tutus on this beautiful August 10th!
This brings me to today's main subject, a story which goes back far beyond the fabulous “Red Shoes,” way back to the origins of ballet!
Before the ‘tutu’ we know today existed, ballet costumes actually differed considerably. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that ballet dancers embraced the iconic short, romantic tutu.
Imagine for a second a young, fiercely talented ballerina in a beautiful billowing white skirt. No constricted, super short, revealing skirts! Back in the early 1800s, these ladies gracefully swirled in floor-length gowns that just wouldn’t have suited those exciting and complex ballet moves, the way the ballet tutus we adore today do.
Just imagine a ballet class with dancers gracefully moving through elegant leaps and turns, while flowing yards of silky fabrics gently graze the floor. Elegant. Stylish. Graceful. All those wonderful words, the true art of dance, back in the early 19th century.
The Romantic era brought about an era of ballet innovation! That’s where our iconic tutu actually began. These romantic tutus didn't only become the symbol of ballet, but also reflected that growing passion for beauty, artistry, and emotions that became such a dominant force of this important time period.
From Marie Taglioni in the early 1800s, through to the end of the 19th century and right on to the glamorous beginnings of the 20th century, ballerinas began incorporating the short tutus into their performances and their iconic costumes were born! It’s almost like magic – a costume so powerful it transformed ballet for ever.
It’s amazing to think, by the end of the 19th century, ballet had moved through so many historical phases of its own evolution. Each stage helped shape the beautiful ballet tradition and costumes that we still enjoy to this very day.
Speaking of today, the world of ballet, back in the 1950s, was a wonderfully inspiring world - one of beauty, grace and sheer talent! This world really did create the wonderful stage and backdrop for our very first Ballet Tutu History blog back in the very early days! I truly love looking back into this golden era of ballet to see what led us all to where we are today, in this magnificent 21st century, filled with so many exciting developments.
Now that I mention it, let’s move right into what's happening right now, in today’s world of fashion and dance, in 2023! Ballet is always reinventing itself and is still full of glamour! It's just wonderful to see ballet inspiring fashion trends, which have become ever more important over the last few years.
From sleek, tailored gowns and flowing fabrics, we have the amazing high fashion inspiration, often referencing the beautiful artistry of ballet to inspire its creative designs, and also, we’ve all fallen in love with the adorable Balletcore style trend, which has taken the world by storm since the middle of 2022! Balletcore style makes use of delicate details that you often see in ballet, like ribbons, tulle and bows, for a beautiful look, perfect for dancing or shopping, and this trend has a strong association with feminine chic!
This trend brings a new and exciting touch to fashion and ballet, but with all these wonderful new fashions in 2023, my love of the classic tutu has only grown, and for my money, the tutu is just simply irreplaceable! It still holds that magic quality that makes the dancers feel beautiful, graceful and utterly magnificent as they move across the stage!
With that, darling dears, I leave you now but I’m off to enjoy the final weeks of the glorious British summer. So why not join me on this journey into the fantastic world of ballet? It’s a world full of creative ideas for all those wonderful fashion-inspired looks and ballet designs and there is so much inspiration in ballet. Make sure you add a splash of pink tutu flair to your world! Remember to stay tuned for my next blog! Love you lots! xx
P.S If you would like to learn more about Ballet tutu history there are lots of books available and you can easily search for more information on the internet - a real tutu treat !
Emma xx
