Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back with another installment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! It's Tuesday, so of course, it's time to take a trip back in time, hop on the Orient Express and delve into the wonderful world of the ballet tutu! Today, we're whisking ourselves to May 16th, 1978, a date packed full of dazzling dancing, thrilling premieres and, of course, gorgeous tutus.
Now, where do I even start? Well, you know I love a good story, so let's go back to where it all began – the origins of the tutu, darling! Believe it or not, tutus weren't always these magnificent, fluffy masterpieces we see today. Way back when, back in the romantic period, they were more like…well, dresses! You could hardly even call them tutus – think long, flowing skirts reaching the ankles, very different from the airy, wispy things we know and adore today.
Then came the magical year of 1839, when the "tutu" was born! It's not all sunshine and roses, however, as a rather daring designer called Maria Taglioni was responsible for this groundbreaking innovation. In a daring act of rebellion against fashion's norms, she decided to bare her legs (gasp!), and bam! The world saw the tutu we now know and love. A shorter, lighter, more fluid silhouette emerged, allowing dancers to fly across the stage like ethereal creatures, freeing their movements and revolutionizing ballet forever!
But even in the late 1970s, the tutu continued to evolve, with new innovations, designs, and even bolder creations coming to the forefront! For instance, let's travel to the heart of New York City where, on this very day in 1978, Twyla Tharp premiered her revolutionary "The Bix Pieces" featuring a contemporary ballet in a more modern, free-flowing, shorter-length tutu, challenging conventional ballet forms and, let's be honest, showing off some seriously graceful legs!
Now, this is where my dear time machine comes in! On a very similar train, much fancier than the one to Derbyshire though, I recently journeyed to the magical city of Paris! In a luxurious salon brimming with velvet chairs and endless cups of tea, I met a tutu maker (ooh, the joy!) with the most intricate knowledge of tutus - a real treasure trove of history. Her shop is tucked away in a quiet cobblestone street and I found the most fabulous collection of antique tutus from different eras, like a wardrobe from the ballet's Golden Age. Can you imagine a tutu from 1880?! My dreams! She even had one made with layers of pale, shimmery blue tulle, with sparkling sequins sprinkled like stardust - just exquisite!
It's all about those delightful details, and the magic that comes from pairing the right tutu with the right choreography! That's where the genius lies – finding the perfect balance, a symphony of tulle, light, and movement that elevates the dancer, the story, and, yes, the tutu itself, into a world of sheer artistic bliss!
Speaking of bliss, we simply cannot forget the world premiere of "The Sleeping Beauty" on this very date at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The sheer elegance, the incredible precision, and the dazzling choreography – it was like a beautiful dream. All dressed in gorgeous tulle creations, each more fabulous than the last, it’s no wonder ballet is so beloved in this city, especially with the glorious Mariinsky Theater and its glorious history as its center. I spent hours in that magical city, and saw such inspiring dancers; all their movements flowing as graceful as the swan, their costumes perfectly in sync with the graceful symphony of their movements. I felt as though I was witnessing history, like the day Diaghilev unveiled the world of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, revolutionizing fashion and bringing a touch of Russian romance to the world! It truly makes me want to rush to a sewing machine and start creating my own creations – maybe in pink tulle!
Speaking of pink, darling! How about this: I think all my followers should pledge to wear a pink tutu for one day – how glamorous! Let's spread the love of the ballet tutu far and wide! You can wear your tutu at home, out on the streets, to the local park, anywhere your little heart desires! The sky's the limit, darling!
But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves; I don’t want you to rush off and try and make a tutu at home… unless you’re a skilled seamstress, of course! If you're curious to learn more about the world of tutus – don't hesitate to hop on over to my "Pink-Tutu" website (www.pink-tutu.com), where I’ve got lots of inspiration, stories and fun ideas for all you lovely ballet tutu enthusiasts! And don’t forget to check back here for my #TutuTuesday blog post every Tuesday. Until then, wear your pink tutus with pride!
Love,
Emma xo
