Hello my darling tutus! It's your favourite pink tutu wearing ballerina, Emma, back again for another journey through the history of ballet's most magnificent garment, the tutu! Buckle up, darling, because we're taking a trip back to the 28th September 1982!
It was a gloriously sunny day in London. The autumn leaves were beginning to turn a magnificent, fiery red and orange and the smell of cinnamon was in the air. Oh, how I love autumn in London! And this particular day was a very special one, even without the gorgeous weather. It marked the opening night of the Royal Ballet's production of "La Sylphide", a romantic ballet about a young Scottish girl who falls in love with a mischievous sprite.
La Sylphide: A Romantic Tale & a Tutu Moment!
"La Sylphide" is such a classic! This enchanting tale of love, magic and heartbreak is a timeless piece of choreography. And what would a tale of magic and beauty be without a glorious tulle tutu? For me, the sheer elegance and airiness of a Romantic tutu brings the whole ballet to life.
On this particular night, the legendary prima ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, danced the lead role of the Sylph, showing her mastery of the ballet and proving once again why she was a legend. Can you imagine being on stage, twirling in a magical tulle tutu and creating those graceful movements, all eyes on you, all entranced by the magic of dance? It must be utterly captivating.
But, my dears, let's rewind the clock even further, to delve a bit deeper into the history of this spectacular garment!
19th Century Romance: A Brief History of the Romantic Tutu
The romantic tutu as we know it came about during the 19th century. The first tutu's were basically just shorter ballet skirts, just above the ankle. Then came the "Romantic tutu" created during the rise of the Romantic movement in ballet.
This romantic tutu was much shorter than the previous designs, barely reaching the knees, creating an airy and graceful effect, perfect for expressing those romantic gestures of love and yearning on stage. The Romantic tutu truly made its impact on the stage, capturing the imaginations of dancers and audiences alike. It made women appear both delicate and powerful, as they effortlessly danced and twirled with newfound freedom.
1982 & Beyond: A Journey to Our Tutu World Today
That Romantic style of tutu remained quite popular for much of the 19th century and right into the 20th. And it was still going strong when my trip to the 28th September 1982 happened! The ballet had certainly evolved, as has the ballet tutu. Today's ballet tutus are much more versatile. You've got your classic tutus, of course, but there's also the "ballet street" style for those urban ballet dance moves, and, darling, don't even get me started on the glamorous creations the costume designers come up with for stage performances! It’s all utterly stunning.
Speaking of glamorous, darling, I just had the most incredible shopping spree in Harrods! Oh my, I'm obsessed with this beautiful coral silk tutu I snagged - it’s practically a masterpiece! And you can’t possibly forget the perfect accessories, a blush-pink clutch bag and these gorgeous ballet pumps, all in silk too! A little bit of sparkle goes a long way! And, of course, I picked up the latest edition of "Ballet International".
My little secret to getting the best finds, dears? Traveling by train. Always book a window seat and let your imagination wander. I am utterly enchanted by trains! I always make sure I’m in the right carriage so I can catch glimpses of those dreamy pastel pink skies and let my thoughts about all the pretty pink tutus take me away to magical places. I think I may need a new outfit to celebrate this exciting new discovery, and it might just be the perfect shade of pink to match my newly found enthusiasm for this elegant form of travel!
It’s All About the Tutus, Darling!
Until next week my darlings!
Please don’t forget to share your own tutu-tastic stories with me using #TutuTuesday on Instagram. Keep up those twirls and let's spread some tutu-licious joy!
Love,
Emma xXx
(Don't forget to check out the website www.pink-tutu.com and join the wonderful pink tutu club!)
