Hello lovelies! It's your favourite tutu-loving blogger Emma here, back for another whirl through time with our beloved tutu history! I'm popping in from sunny Paris today, the very epicentre of tutus and style. Can you believe we're now in September 1980?! How exciting, and guess what's happening tonight? The Bolshoi Ballet are performing here in Paris at the Théâtre de la Ville! A total dream come true, I'll be sure to share a photo on Insta - gotta show off the latest Parisian trends (tutu, obvs) 😉
Today, we're delving into the fascinating world of the tutu! It's an absolute must-have for every budding ballerina (and frankly, everyone!) It's no secret I love all things pink, but tutus, oh my, they really take the cake! 💖 This week, we're venturing into a very special date - September 9th, 1980. I can feel your inner fashionista buzzing! This date marks a milestone, darlings! Not only is it a Tuesday, a perfect day for a twirl in a pink tutu, but this date marks the very beginning of something exciting...
From Bustle to Ballerina: The Rise of the Tutu!Firstly, can we take a moment to appreciate just how fabulous tutus are?! They're practically an extension of our ballerina hearts! 💃💖 It all started back in the romantic era of ballet, circa 1830s. Think Maria Taglioni in "La Sylphide" - graceful, airy, with a skirt so delicate, it's practically floating on air! ☁️ Before then, ballerinas were quite literally held down by bulky skirts and heavy fabric. Talk about an inconvenience for pirouettes, right?!
The early tutu, known as the "Romantic tutu", was this beautiful, billowing, calf-length dream, designed for showing off those leggy ballerina moves! Imagine that: being the first woman to show off such beauty, the ultimate in graceful movement! And that's not all - the tutu signified a radical shift from rigid court dress, a true statement of individuality and freedom.
Fun Fact: It's believed that Marie Taglioni, the star of La Sylphide, actually wore her dad's linen tablecloth to showcase that delicate, airy aesthetic we adore today! Now THAT's a tutu story for the ages, don't you think?! 😉
Tutu Transformations: From Classic to Modern!Over the years, tutus have gone through incredible transformations. Think the shorter, knee-length tutus popular in the late 1800s, ideal for the growing range of leaps and jumps in ballet. Then came the 1900s with its more intricate variations:
The "Classical Tutu": A beautiful, perfectly tiered creation of tulle, all billowy and fluffy. A true classic!
The "Platter Tutu": Designed for contemporary dance, featuring a wide, pancake-like shape, perfect for modern movements!
The amazing thing is that September 9th, 1980 wasn't just any date, but a date where these stunning transformations of the tutu reached a new peak, thanks to the genius of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.
A Fashion Revolution: Karl Lagerfeld and the Ballet World!This Parisian maestro (yes, maestro is right) totally blew our collective minds! For a Chloé show, Lagerfeld showcased tutus like we'd never seen before - all modern and edgy! Gone were the classic romantic forms, instead he unveiled this totally new, dynamic, and powerful vision: long, layered, asymmetric designs, playing with shapes and volumes in a bold way that truly embodied the new wave of ballet movements! It was like a futuristic twist on the traditional, perfect for the new generation of bold ballerinas.
Imagine the shock and awe in the fashion world - Lagerfeld creating for ballet? Tutus taking centre stage?! You could literally see the future of the tutu change before our very eyes! 💖
Think of it like this: In a world where everything is moving at a hundred miles a minute, the tutu had become this timeless icon, a piece that transcended decades, trends, and even art forms. Now with Lagerfeld's reinterpretation, the tutu had gone from a graceful icon to a powerful statement, reflecting a world full of change. We're talking a revolution in fashion and the way we see ballet, darlings!
And for this incredible ballet aficionado? It meant that my tutu collection was about to get a whole lot more interesting! 😄
Tutu Tips: Making it Work!Right, let's talk practicality, shall we? We wouldn't want a tutu emergency, would we? First, don't be shy with that fabric! Choose a fluffy tutu with several layers, making it super swishy and whimsical. 😉 Think delicate, wispy tulle for maximum twirling effect, but a more structured taffeta layer is fab for a more classic vibe!
When you find yourself rocking a tutu, pair it with a bold crop top for a fun contrast - a little touch of the 80s - and accessorize with pink, pink, and more pink! Think a bright pink cardigan or even a bold pair of ballet flats! If you're feeling a little shy about the "all-out tutu look", start with a pink tutu-style skirt! This gives a hint of the iconic design, making it more wearable and seriously cute!
As a rule, when rocking the pink tutu, be bold and don't be afraid to show off your individual style. And remember: Confidence is key! 😄💖
Travel Time! ✈️🩰Right, now, this London lass needs a little train journey - off to another ballet adventure, this time to Florence! But I promise to share all about it with you lovelies next week. In the meantime, show me your twirls! What's your favourite tutu style? Tell me everything in the comments below!
Don't forget to check back for more Tutu Tuesday blog posts - your favourite history of the most stylish fashion icon of all! 😉
And for a whole lot more tutu fashion inspiration, don't forget to head to www.pink-tutu.com.
Until next Tuesday,
Lots of love,
Emma 💖
P.S. Have you ever danced to "Swan Lake"? Let me know in the comments! I'd love to hear your ballet stories! 🦢
