Hello, darling dears, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday, the 7,812th post on my ballet-tutu-tastic blog!
It's been another busy week for me – so many fabulous ballet shows to see! And shopping, of course, I always have to sneak in a trip to Liberty's when I'm in London. But you know what always gets me going? That feeling of twirling around in a gorgeous pink tutu. It's just the best, isn't it?
So today, as it's September 15th, 1981, I've taken a trip to the wonderful, vibrant city of London. Oh, how I love London. Such beautiful ballet performances and amazing shops, and of course, the grandest train station, King's Cross St Pancras! But that's a tale for another time.
Today, we're going back to the 19th century, when the tutu as we know it really started to come into its own. And no, I'm not just talking about romantic tulle! I mean the shape, the structure, the whole thing!
From Bustle to Tutu!
Picture this: 1830s, the height of the Romantic era. Think Marie Taglioni, the legendary ballerina who redefined the image of the ballerina with her ethereal grace and flowing tulle skirts. You can see the influence of her performance La Sylphide on fashion, even on the streets. Imagine that - the elegance of ballet influencing fashion everywhere.
These romantic tutus, all billowing tulle, really emphasized the dancers' movement. Like a ballerina floating, you could hardly see their feet they were so ethereal! The focus was on graceful movement, almost floating through the air – truly magical. But then came along a brilliant (and dare I say, somewhat dramatic) French fashion designer – Charles Frederick Worth. Now, Charles knew fashion, he knew theatre, and he knew how to make a woman feel beautiful. He went all the fitted, which was a daring departure from the free-flowing fashion of the day, and this style started to appear in ballet, creating a stunning, graceful and fitted look. This revolutionized ballet costume design - *bye-bye big, bulky skirts, hello sleek and form-fitting looks.
And can you believe, my lovely dears, that even in 1850, there was still a lot of resistance to these tutus, or 'ballet skirts', as they were known? Think about it. At the time, even dancers themselves struggled with their stiff corsets and cumbersome, long, fabric heavy skirts, just getting onto pointe was an accomplishment!
But in 1858, at the height of the Romantic era, the French Academy of Dance, in all their glorious authority, said, "You know what? We've seen the light." And what did they say? Well, they officially decided that "ballet skirts" or tutus were indeed, fashionable, and encouraged their use for the female ballerinas. This was the catalyst for ballet dancers embracing this silhouette.
This time, darling dears, wasn't just a breakthrough in fashion but a breakthrough for the role of women in dance! The short tutu with its tight-fitting bodice meant dancers could move freely, and for the first time, show off the beautiful lines of their bodies and legs, bringing out the beauty of movement!
So, imagine that, my loves, even the most stylish of dancing trends have been subject to serious debate – it’s totally true! It wasn't until the late 19th century, when tutus, like those that we know and love today, became a standard for ballet performances. The long skirts that were the norm during the earlier decades gave way to shorter, layered skirts. This move made the dance look lighter, more expressive. And all of this happened with a certain level of elegance, wouldn’t you agree?
The Tutus that Caught Our Eye:
What really got my time machine motor running this week was seeing these incredible costumes in Giselle, and let me tell you, they truly captured the essence of the era - it was utterly sublime. Every single detail – from the delicate embroidery to the layered ruffles – just exuded the charm of the 19th century, and yet at the same time, was timeless. This ballet was all about grace and beauty, a reminder of why the tutu will forever remain the epitome of feminine allure. It really put the dancers' strength and movement into the spotlight – just mesmerizing!
As always, this week I'm all about reminding you to embrace your own inner ballerina! I know some of you might be hesitant about the whole tutu thing, and I completely understand – after all, sometimes life isn't a ballet, is it? But think of it this way: even the smallest touch of pink in your wardrobe can help bring out the ballerina in you – it’s so simple. If nothing else, a ballerina inspired scarf or a little pair of pink shoes can give your everyday look that extra spark. Trust me, my darling dears – it truly makes a difference, and you might be surprised at how it can brighten your day.
Now I need to dash, I’m off to the theatre, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Keep twirling and dreaming, my loves. Until next week, I wish you all the happiest #TutuTuesday!
XOXO,
Emma
(P.S., You can catch my journey at www.pink-tutu.com, and don't forget to follow my hashtag, #TutuTuesday! And don't forget to check out my YouTube channel for some fun dance tutorials - and yes, I will definitely have some pink tutus involved!)
