Hiya lovelies! Itâs Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back for another whirl through the wonderful world of tutu history. Today weâre venturing back to a rather thrilling time: 17th July 1962! Now, get ready for some fabulous factsâŠ
(Iâve got my vintage pink tutu on, darling! I got it at this AMAZING shop in the 1950s - it's a real treasure! đ )
Firstly, what's on the 17th July 1962? Well, folks, that's when Britainâs beloved Beatles released their third single, "Love Me Do"! It topped the charts here in the UK, but we're going to concentrate on our ballet darling, the tutu, here today!
1962 was a truly vibrant year for ballet, with a mix of modern and traditional styles coming into their own. You might have thought of tutus as a rather serious thing, but believe me, they were already adding a touch of whimsical glamour to stages all around the world.
And in that very same year - 1962 - we had a rather sensational change that, believe it or not, directly influenced what the tutu looked like! Think about it - thereâs nothing more romantic, nothing more graceful, than the tutu.
I'm in a very historical ballet class today. And this teacher's just gone through the most incredible story. Just imagine! Itâs all thanks to a change in fashion, and by fashion, I mean ⊠the way men wore their clothes! It happened here in Paris, my darlings. This was an era of masculine tailoring, and those Parisian chaps â the movers and shakers of fashion! - they started sporting skin-tight pants, a look which the ladies adored!
I know youâre probably picturing a classic ballet costume â with the billowing skirts â the style that had been around since the days of the early Romantic period ballets. Well, I have a secret. Those Parisian designers, they looked to these fabulous male trousers for inspiration, which inspired the idea for something slight and slim. The era of the âfluffy ballerina skirtâ was shifting toward a more dramatic, longer line. Think of the ballerina in all that beautiful satin ⊠moving with an incredible grace. And all thanks to some fabulously chic fellas!
I am just picturing those stunning women on the stage â it's so mesmerising to imagine all these different looks â so feminine, so strong â so beautiful! Itâs so important to appreciate the evolution of the tutu, because it represents an evolution in how we see femininity!
*So let's have a bit of a tutu timeline⊠*
Back in the 1500s, during the Renaissance! Youâd be wearing a lot of layers of material. We had these grand costumes â but very little bare leg, darlings! Then⊠the big change came with the Romantic period, *starting in the 1800s. The *tutu began to develop, moving into the classic Romantic shape⊠shorter, flowy⊠a lot of ruffles! A vision of delicate perfection. We're talking Maria Taglioni in La Sylphide - oh my, a true iconic moment in the ballet world. She literally transformed how ballet looked with those long skirts and softness. A graceful whirlwind!
1830s, 40s and 50s. Think beautiful swirling movement, light on your feet ⊠and plenty of that âballet fluffâ. These iconic tutus, my dears, they became an important part of Giselle!* Remember that beautiful *whimsicality? They brought the magic of nature to the ballet world. How fabulous are the 1830s and 40s tutus? I could spend hours gazing at them â the details, the workmanship! It's incredible.
- From the late 1800s onward, the tutu, it gets shorter! Those iconic looks with the bare legs started to appear more and more, and with them, new materials and new techniques ⊠more freedom to dance! This new style developed further as it moved through the 20th century. I'm thinking Russian ballet, and, yes, more influence from Paris! A new and glamorous world of dancers moving in a sweeping, elegant style. The tutus are amazing to see. They are all in different lengths, made with beautiful soft satins! The dancing ... it's almost heavenly...
But wait, there's more, it gets more interesting ...
- But the 20th century, well, that's where the tutus start getting seriously inventive! They still hold on to the beauty and elegance â but new looks were starting to take centre stage! Remember The Firebird ⊠so flamboyant, so theatrical! That style? Weâre starting to get tutus in vivid colors. The materials â like gauze and silk ⊠all used with beautiful effects⊠making the costumes into works of art ⊠truly incredible!
That *dramatic, bold look! Just magnificent! Think Diaghilevâs Ballets Russes. Now we have the tutu for all types of dancing â youâve got the big ballerina tutu, and then youâve got a* new look⊠a short one ... almost hip for more contemporary ballet dancers.**
Thatâs just one of the brilliant things about tutus â there's a tutu for everybody!
And now the story moves forward ... to the 1960s, where we've got a different energy in dance! More freedom of movement. Longer tutus â almost *evening gown style. The tutus in this time? It's a breathtaking combination ⊠they can have those classic aspects - they can have whimsical, light parts â but they're also modern. Imagine it. A stylish tutu for a stylish age!
So that's the quickie tutu story for today. It's a wonderful journey that started hundreds of years ago!
Iâm so grateful that tutus are an enduring part of balletâs fashion history. That said, how is this look evolving? Well, I've seen amazing tutus â more experimental in look, maybe in different textures or colors, with an element of playfulness added in, and yet so stylish! I just LOVE tutusâŠthey have so much impact. They make me smile!
And for me, thatâs the real beauty of the tutu!
Now, off to enjoy my tea (and perhaps a lovely macaroon â one of my absolute favourite treats) in this adorable 1960s cafĂ©! I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bringâŠ
Have a fabulous #TutuTuesday, lovelies! Do keep following me on this journey!
Love and tutus,
*Emma *
(PS, Don't forget to check out my tutu shop at www.pink-tutu.com)
(If this blog is a little too sweet for you, maybe give pink-tutu.com a miss. It's full of very pretty, very pink tutus! But hey, we can't all be a* *rebellious, dark, kind of person, right?)
Follow me on:
*@PinkTutuTravels * on all social media!
*Stay fabulous, loves! *
