Hey everyone, and welcome back to Pink Tutu! This is post number 7652, and I’m your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, bringing you the very best in tutu history – and believe me, this week’s post is a doozy!
We’re hopping on the time train and heading back to August 22nd, 1978 – a fabulous date for a ballet enthusiast like me! Now, I can hear you thinking: "Emma, what happened on that very specific date?" And I’ll tell you, it was the opening night of The Sleeping Beauty at The Royal Opera House in London. A glorious production, performed by some of the greatest ballet dancers in the world!
The Big Night Out:
Imagine, a balmy summer evening, I’m sitting on the red velvet seat in Covent Garden, all sparkly and ready in a beautiful silk pink tutu. I'm so excited I can barely contain myself! My pink satin shoes match my perfectly-pink ballet dress and all the gorgeous shades of pink in the stage lighting are reflected in my jewellery - a magnificent pink pearl necklace and earrings. Even the programmes were beautifully pink – can you imagine?! It’s the perfect setting for a fabulous ballet night. My friends are all in pink as well – some with tutus, some with glittery pink tops and sequinned skirts – there is such excitement and magic in the air. It was the perfect evening!
The magic continued throughout the entire production. The Royal Ballet Company – the pinnacle of dance – they brought the magical world of Aurora and her sleeping beauty to life. The artistry, the grace, the stunning costumes – oh, and speaking of costumes… let’s dive into the history of this wonderful bit of dancewear:
A History Of The Tutu – Part One:
I simply love this magnificent piece of clothing! And like all great creations, it's had quite a fascinating history. The first tutu, as we know it, wasn’t what we think of today, not the pretty ballerina outfit that takes center stage in modern ballet. No! It all started way back in the Romantic Era, right around the 1830s – you might say it was a Romantic Revolution!
This era celebrated all things light and delicate. Think fairies, butterflies, and everything ethereal – the ultimate ballerina dreams. And in a burst of creativity, the big, heavy dresses of the day – think flowing, layered gowns, even in a variety of soft pink – became an awkward constraint. So, with a visionary flash of inspiration, the tutu was born. The ballerina Maria Taglioni revolutionised stage dress, stepping out in a knee-length, flowing, light tulle skirt designed to accentuate the delicate movement of a ballerina. This simple shift gave birth to the style that would become an integral part of classical ballet, revolutionizing ballet dance fashion and allowing dancers the freedom of movement that we now see on stage.
I am still trying to find some gorgeous romantic era pink tutus – can you imagine! The thought of my beautiful pink tutus standing proudly with such important history beside them fills me with so much delight – just imagine, that would be amazing, Wouldn’t it?
Now let’s fast-forward through a whirlwind of ballet styles – think of some of the brilliant ballet stars like Anna Pavlova and Tamara Karsavina. I even got to see Pavlova when I went back to the 1910s! She was truly amazing – a great performer, but most importantly the most lovely and elegant ballerina in history! Of course, ballet and tutu fashion continued to evolve throughout the twentieth century. The knee-length tutus of the Romantic era gradually gave way to the longer tutus seen throughout the early and middle 20th century, until finally, by the mid-1940s, the classic short, full tutus we see in today's ballet productions were introduced, creating a fresh look that emphasizes the beauty of a ballerina’s line, shape, and artistry, giving an almost ballet sculptural impression.
Let's Discuss The Tutu:
There's something special about the tutu, isn’t there? I always say it's like an edible cupcake for a ballerina. It’s not only pretty to look at - oh, it's so pretty! – but it's also about the ultimate comfort, freedom and support – like a cupcake with icing. And did I tell you, pink is one of the very best tutu colours – oh, there’s also beautiful, glorious pale pinks and all those lovely pale shades! And just imagine that gorgeous light blush pink, oh just imagine, darling! It is simply sublime and looks so great on all of my pink ballerina dresses! It would look amazing in a Victorian era theatre… just imagine! Oh, but there’s no time to daydream right now. Let's continue the tutu tale!
And for this 70s time period, we had the magnificent, graceful style of Margot Fonteyn - such a classic performer - oh! she was simply outstanding. I think she made every tutu look exquisite, and her ballet choreography made the whole experience magical! I love Margot's tutues and the elegant design. She was a true classic. What’s your favorite tutu style? Tell me all about them in the comments below – I just love hearing your fashion ideas, as much as I love listening to you talk about the Ballet.
And we haven't even touched on the rise of tutus in everyday fashion - I know we love ballet! – let's take a peek. We have those incredible tutus and skirts - all shades of pink, all shades! – that gave every fashionista that beautiful, graceful look in the 1970s – a little touch of Pink Tutus, eh?
Ballet And Travel! My Travels And Ballet Show Adventures:
There is so much to do when you have a pink tutu on – you just cannot sit still! My biggest love, aside from tutus, has to be traveling. What’s better than exploring new places, meeting new people and going to amazing ballets – the very best performances the world has ever seen - all around the globe - I simply love it all so much!
From the cobbled streets of Paris, where I saw the stunning Swan Lake at the Palais Garnier – oh! just imagine! – and London’s West End where I recently enjoyed the wonderful Romeo & Juliet, oh the story was just so moving, the drama, and the amazing tutus! The performances, and all the amazing choreography, have made my trip a wonderful whirlwind of color, excitement and elegance, it has been amazing!
And I’m just getting started, my journey isn't over. There’s so much to see and explore. I can’t wait to go on a big American adventure next! I’ve heard the American Ballet Theatre in New York is the very best ballet company in the world – I will see it myself very soon. New York – I am coming! Just imagine that, what an experience that would be. And don’t even get me started about my latest finds for the new Pink Tutu collection in all shades of pink – pink sequins, sparkly pink tights, and, of course, all those exquisite tutus. We need a tutu collection and dance class, oh we do. Don't worry, you can shop it soon – I will let you know. I am not one to be quiet on all my lovely pink-tutu ideas!
A Final Word Of Ballet Tutu Magic!
So, what can I say? The magic of tutu history goes on. Whether you're a balletomane, a lover of fashion, or simply enchanted by all things sparkly and beautiful – you will agree that ballet has it all! Next Tuesday I will be writing a new #TutuTuesday post – all about the fabulous tutu designers and the ballets in the 80s. Join me for all the excitement on www.pink-tutu.com . We can chat about all things ballet. You can also connect with me on social media at #PinkTutu. Now, until next time – keep it tutu-fabulous. Goodbye, my dears.
