#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1982-12-14

Hello my gorgeous Tutu Twirlers!

It’s Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, coming to you live from… well, actually, I'm not live, I’m back in time again! My time machine (it’s actually a vintage train carriage that magically transports me through time, I found it at a bargain price at a flea market – never judge a vintage carriage by its rusty exterior, darlings!), brought me to a rather delightful December 14th in 1982. I’m currently situated in New York City, which, even in 1982, is just overflowing with tutu-tastic vibes!

This week, for our #TutuTuesday, I’m delving into a bit of ballet history, specifically how the tutu, our favourite swishy companion, evolved in the decades leading up to 1982.

Before I whisk you through a captivating history lesson on the tutu, I just have to share my personal observations of this enchanting period! 1982 was simply fabulous for ballet. Imagine – the iconic “Ghostbusters” came out that year, reminding everyone that even a paranormal investigation is more glamorous in a tutu!

I’ve spent the day swooning over the fantastic costumes and sets of “The Nutcracker.” The ballet is in full swing across the city! My favourite performance? Absolutely "La Bayadère" with its breath-taking costumes, especially the pink ones, and an absolutely magical ending. Did I mention that Mikhail Baryshnikov was making an appearance? A divine dancer and my very own personal favourite!

New York City is abuzz with everything dance-related and the whole city feels alive with music and passion. The atmosphere is just infectious, and, darling, let me tell you, there is a rather delightful amount of pink on display, though a little less frilly, than you would expect now!

Of course, we've got to remember the very origins of the tutu. Before 1830, ballet dancers wore long, floor-sweeping dresses that, you know, made leaping and pirouette-ing a little bit of a chore! Can you imagine a grande jeté in that thing? A complete disaster! Thank goodness Marie Taglioni, a brilliant ballerina from Italy, decided that a change was needed. She cut away those cumbersome skirts, leaving just a loose and airy little skirt, allowing freedom of movement and showcasing the elegance of the legs. Talk about a fashion revolution!

And speaking of revolution, let's rewind to the early 20th century, a period known as the Golden Age of ballet, and when the “Romantic Tutu”, a soft, bell-shaped design was the standard for all ballerinas, a real tutu darling. It’s a classic design with several layers of tulle cascading beautifully around the dancers legs, perfectly embodying the romantic grace of classical ballet. This tutu design continued its dominance for decades, a lasting ode to a timeless look.

In the 1950s, ballet fashion started to play around with new trends, just as I'm always doing with my tutus. This was the era of the “Modern Tutu,” designed to complement new and more dynamic dance forms, featuring shorter skirts with minimal layers. It offered flexibility and expressiveness to dance, reflecting the growing experimentation and evolution within the art form, all while still retaining a classic air of ballet elegance.

1960s? Darling, this was the decade when we saw the tutu explode! I mean it, the ballet world was exploding with fashion. With the dawn of the “Post-Modern Tutu,” ballet broke free from the restrictions of convention, embracing variety, and expressing artistic freedom, all while incorporating modern ideas. Think of bright colours, interesting shapes, unconventional fabrics and unique designs.

Now, moving closer to 1982, and the era of the “Neoclassical Tutu.” You could call this the pinnacle of the tutu's fashion journey, as it brought back the emphasis on the classic shape while simultaneously incorporating modernity and sleekness with minimal embellishments. It allowed for beautiful dance lines while looking incredibly sophisticated and sleek, think sharp and clean edges - darling, this tutu knows how to make an entrance!

Let’s talk a little about how the tutu has changed through the ages and what made those changes happen! The first tutus were all about beauty and grace and they really emphasized the dancer's figure. But with time the design and function changed, reflecting different styles and dances. In the past few decades the tutu evolved, the design reflects what we see in today's shows – elegant, bold, modern, always with that gorgeous romantic, flowing, graceful style!

But this blog isn't about fashion history alone, it's also about expressing yourself. This is your invitation to join the pink tutu movement! No matter how big or small your tutu is, what color it's dyed or whether it's ruffled, beaded or decorated with feathers, put it on! The power of a pink tutu isn’t just in its aesthetics, it's in its feminine power to spread joy and kindness! It says, "I'm free, I'm joyful, I'm confident!" Don’t forget to grab your tutu and join me next Tuesday as I continue my tutu time travels to explore even more fashion history!

Until then, twirl happily, darling!

Emma xxx

Don't forget to check out more tutu tales on www.pink-tutu.com. Follow us on Instagram @PinkTutuDiary