#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1967-12-05

Hello my darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things pink and tutu-licious. It’s Tuesday, so you know what that means… it’s #TutuTuesday!

I’ve just arrived back in London from a whirlwind trip to Paris, darling! There’s just something about the Parisian ballet scene that gets my heart aflutter - the iconic opera house, the elegant costumes, and of course, the exquisite dancing. You wouldn’t believe the adorable little tutu I snagged at a vintage shop near the Champs-Elysees!

Speaking of tutus, this week’s #TutuTuesday blog post is all about the incredible evolution of the tutu, so strap in, my dears, for a trip through history!

The Tutu: A Star is Born

So, the iconic tutu – that whimsical, billowing piece of fabric that lets us ballerinas dance like ethereal creatures. Its origins may surprise you. Believe it or not, the tutu as we know it wasn’t always a symbol of ballet. In fact, it only gained its unique shape in the mid-19th century.

The first ballerina outfits were quite… practical shall we say. They were more like long, flowing skirts, barely hinting at the freedom of movement we have today. However, a significant shift occurred in 1839 when Marie Taglioni – an absolute icon of the ballet world! - performed the revolutionary “La Sylphide.”

She introduced a new style of skirt – one that stopped at the knee, showcasing the graceful movement of the dancer’s legs and revealing her slippers. This, my loves, was the moment the tutu began its transformation into the marvel we adore today!

A Century of Evolution: From Romanticism to Modernity

The late 1800s were an exciting time for the tutu! It blossomed from its practical, modest beginnings into a truly iconic symbol of ballet. You see, during the Romantic Era, the tutus became increasingly sheer, fluffy and – dare I say – flamboyant.

In 1886, the "Russian style" tutu was born, featuring a dramatic layered structure – a masterpiece of tulle and fabric artistry!

These designs weren’t just visually captivating – they highlighted the grace and strength of the ballerina's leaps and twirls. Think graceful figures pirouetting on pointe – breathtaking, isn’t it?

But tutus weren’t always all frills and flounces! As the 20th century arrived, they began evolving in a modern direction. Think about the “Classical tutu”, it still held its layered appeal, but embraced a more fitted and streamlined silhouette, allowing for greater range of movement.

It's been fascinating seeing the tutu’s metamorphosis through the years – it reflects how dance has also been in a state of constant transformation!

1967 - A Time for Progress and Tradition

Well, today's the 5th of December, 1967 – and you know what’s exciting? It’s the day the legendary American ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, received an Honorary Doctorate in Music from the University of London, which is, coincidentally, very close to Derbyshire, my home town, darling. Talk about a star-studded moment in dance history, and oh, how I just LOVE celebrating other ballerinas' triumphs.

But that’s not all, folks! Today also marks the 30th anniversary of the “Margot Fonteyn Ballet Foundation”, an organisation that aims to preserve and promote the legacy of ballet by offering training and performance opportunities to budding dancers across the globe! Talk about a testament to Margot’s extraordinary commitment to the world of dance.

*My Darling, Today's Tutu Tip: *

If you want to get your heart truly pumping, hop on a train down to London today. * Why? Well, the Royal Opera House, right in the heart of London, is putting on a special ballet performance “Giselle”. It’s a masterpiece of Romantic-era ballet that I personally love to watch, especially on my time travelling trips, to see what changes, and also, what remains the same.

It’s sure to be a magnificent display of talent and beauty - the costumes, the dancing, and oh, the music – it will whisk you away, my lovelies, to a magical world where tutus rule and dreams take flight.

Until next time, darling! And remember: "Wear a pink tutu, and be your best self."

With all my love and tutus, Emma

P.S. Don't forget to share your own tutu adventures using the hashtag #TutuTuesday. I want to see you all dancing in those pink beauties! 💕