Hello my gorgeous tutu-loving lovelies! It's your favourite Derbyshire ballerina, Emma, and I'm so thrilled to be back for another edition of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History. As always, my darling tutu is shimmering like the best champagne, and my head's full of all the gorgeous history and glitz and glamour of tutus through the ages.
This week, we're jetting back to July 15th, 1969. Just think about it, darlings! The whole world was mesmerised by the first moon landing! Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the surface of the moon! Can you imagine? I would've loved to be a little pink ballerina twirling under the moonbeams at that very moment, it'd be a dream come true!
But whilst all those brave men were making history up in space, let's look down at what the ballet world was up to on July 15th, 1969...
It was a Tuesday, so all the brilliant ballet companies around the world would have been working hard in rehearsal - stretching their muscles, learning new steps, perfecting those graceful pirouettes. Perhaps there were a few tutus on the rails at the ballet shop awaiting their beautiful ballet dancer to wear them for a magical show.
We must remember that this year saw the iconic, the fabulous, the magnificent Rudolf Nureyev dance the title role of Le Corsaire for the very first time, on February 17th, at London's Covent Garden. The dance world, from London to Moscow, would have been buzzing about it.
And who knows, perhaps on this very date, a talented young ballet student somewhere was having their very first tutu fitted! That moment of putting on that tutu for the very first time? Pure magic! I remember it so vividly. My first ever pink tulle tutu - I was about four, and it made me feel like a little ballerina princess!
I bet those aspiring ballerinas in 1969 were full of excitement for what the future held, dreaming of performing on the most dazzling stages! Some of those young girls may even be celebrated prima ballerinas now!
A glimpse into the history of ballet tutus
Now, as you lovely tutus know, the tutu is a big part of ballet history, a staple! It's come a long way since its debut! In fact, ballet clothing, even those amazing tutus, started off with very different shapes and styles!
Early ballet dancers performed in long, very heavy, full-length skirts! These skirts, they weren't very conducive to all the graceful twirls and jumps we see today! Think about it. Those skirts were so heavy, it must've felt like trying to dance in a blanket!
As the 19th century unfurled (no pun intended!), so did ballet's costumes! Dancers started to show off their graceful legs in shorter, more practical dresses. These, as I understand it, weren't exactly tutus as we know them today. The skirts still didn't have those lovely tiers of tulle, the graceful billows and soft curves, that give tutus such incredible flutter and grace.
However, those 19th century skirts were getting closer and closer to the magnificent tutus we see on the ballet stage today.
The big shift came with the Romantic era of ballet. This was a big turning point for tutu history, in the 1830s. It's during this time that Marie Taglioni (the undisputed tutu Queen!) first wore a short, layered tutu. Oh, how I wish I could have seen her dancing in that tutu, in the early 19th century!
These first tutus, I must mention, were still rather modest, just slightly longer than knee-length. But they still made a big statement. They really showcased the ballerina's elegance.
And then there's the famous Romantic tutu. Think, my loves, very full and longer than a knee-length skirt. It really was Romantic in its elegance.
And in the early 1900s tutus really began to evolve into what we know and love today, my loves. Those long and billowing skirts - gone! Replaced by those iconic layered, multi-tiered tutus, that're short, graceful and perfect for showcasing those powerful, graceful pirouettes. It's a truly exciting time for the ballet!
Today, in our exciting and modern world, we have a fantastic variety of tutu shapes. Just look at the iconic paquita tutu! That's short, it's got tiers of tulle, but with that fantastic bustle at the back! A real showstopper!
My loves, if you think about it, tutus have a fabulous, a magical history - from the heavy long skirts of early ballets to the gorgeous modern day creations - it's a fascinating story of style and evolution, just like ballet itself!
So the next time you're watching a ballet, and you see a graceful, beautiful ballerina, twirling and leaping in her gorgeous tutu, just take a moment to remember the evolution of the tutu - its long, magical journey to reach that stage. It really is a testament to imagination, talent and design!
Fashion inspirations from ballet tutus
Speaking of tutus and fashion, ballet tutus are an inspiration, aren't they, my loves? We can see those beautiful tutu shapes all around us, from designer evening gowns, to a little pink dress, and even those lovely, frilly tiered skirts we wear in the summer. Those fluttering layers, the flow, the softness - it's all in the design of a tutu!
I can spend hours browsing those shops for those fabulous fashion pieces, the tutus in every style imaginable. For those elegant soirées and gala performances, you can’t beat a glamorous long layered tulle tutu, but a beautiful, elegant and frilly mini tutu is also fabulous for daywear. I simply love those whimsical, eye-catching pieces.
It's amazing how a tutu, with its tiers and layers, can bring so much sparkle and magic to any outfit, isn't it? It's why my favourite outfit always includes a pink tutu!
Shopping spree at Harrods
This weekend, I’ll be at the iconic, fabulous, beautiful Harrods in Knightsbridge, London. I’ll be searching for my perfect outfit for an opera performance this week, it’ll be Aida. My favourite piece will be that gorgeous tutu with tiers and tiers of fabulous layered tulle. I'll make sure to wear my pink tutu, and I bet I'll see many of my lovely friends, all in the most spectacular fashion pieces imaginable!
Well, my loves, that's all from me this TutuTuesday. Remember to share your own tutu adventures in the comments. I love hearing from all my wonderful tutu lovers! Let’s all keep on spreading the joy of tutus - and maybe even wear one on our next shopping spree!
See you all next week, my loves! Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
