Welcome, darlings, to #TutuTuesday! It’s me, your favourite pink tutu-wearing blogger, Emma, coming to you live (well, sort of, since it's 1983 and time travel's still a bit experimental), from…wait for it… New York City! Yes, my darlings, I’ve hopped on a train (it was a really fancy one - they do trains rather differently in America!) and travelled across the Atlantic for a little tutu-themed escapade. It’s all in the name of research for my darling #TutuTuesday followers, of course!
And what a treat I’m in for! You see, the American ballet scene is a real hive of activity this February. Today, in fact, is the 22nd, and it’s opening night for the New York City Ballet's Winter Season. Swoon! They’ve got a fantastic line up of classic ballets, from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake (always a favourite) to Balanchine’s Serenade. My goodness, the costumes are just everything, darling, especially the Swan Lake tutus, such fabulous feathered frocks!
Speaking of feathered frocks, let's rewind the time machine a bit to our #TutuTuesday history lesson, shall we? It’s a curious thing, how the tutu has evolved through the years. This Tuesday’s #TutuTuesday is a little bit of a deep dive, because you see, 1983 is kind of the middle of an amazing era in ballet fashion.
Before the mid-1900s, ballerinas weren’t swirling around in those delightful airy tulle masterpieces you know and love. Back then, their outfits were quite different. Picture this - stiff, heavy, almost medieval gowns made of multiple layers of satin, adorned with endless embellishments and embroidery. You wouldn't be able to leap very high in those things, would you? And certainly, no spinning to speak of!
Then came along a dancer who knew a thing or two about movement, a woman named Marie Taglioni. Her name should be in your dancing dictionaries, dear ones! In 1832, she stunned the world by taking the stage in something quite different for the time - a white tulle dress that allowed her to move gracefully, with an unprecedented lightness. Gasp! This single revolutionary act was a real game-changer! It truly helped launch the era of what we recognise as the tutu today.
For about 30 years after Marie’s amazing achievement, tutus stayed rather plain and simple. Then, enter the big name in ballet - the Russian Ballet, headed by Serge Diaghilev! You see, this charismatic man didn't just love ballet; he wanted it to be spectacular and eye-catching. So he commissioned costumes from fashion giants like Coco Chanel (oh la la!) and Leon Bakst, leading to some wonderfully extravagant creations! Imagine colourful fabrics, exotic embroidery, sparkly embellishments - all things we love, my darlings!
Diaghilev brought something else into the mix – the classic short tutu. Now, for any real tutu lover (and you know you are!), you need to understand that there are basically two main types: the Romantic Tutu, that’s the long one with multiple layers, reaching down towards the ankles - swoon - and the Classical Tutu, the shorter one that usually ends at the knee, often with the iconic bodice and matching skirt combo. It’s like a magic dress - as you twirl, those layers of tulle swish around you and create that incredible ballerina magic.
Fast-forward a bit and, by 1983, we find ourselves right in the middle of a tutu explosion! The 80s saw a blossoming of experimentation, mixing those elegant ballet-style silhouettes with trendy fashions, and - guess what - even *a bit* of colour!* Can you imagine that? We were entering the world of the *Pink Tutu! Just think of the incredible possibilities of bright colours on the stage, sparkling tutus, bold fabrics and exciting movement. Oh, to be a dancer in this period! I mean, even now, in our 21st Century fashion world, I find myself just longing for those wonderful vibrant hues, for more colour in ballet tutus! It really is the pinkest era!
And let's not forget the fab modern ballet stars who took centre stage, inspiring dancers to this day. We had Gelsey Kirkland, whose stunning performances on stage were both ethereal and strong! And Mikhail Baryshnikov, a dancer of immense talent and captivating stage presence, always bringing such dynamic and engaging performances! Then there's Natalia Makarova, with her incredibly graceful movement and impeccable technique, making every performance a sheer delight. And let’s not forget Dame Margot Fonteyn, the ballerina who gracefully twirled her way through over 40 years on the stage! She was absolutely mesmerising!
It is in this context, dear ones, that the world of tutus really blossomed! What a vibrant era, what amazing movement, such captivating performances and what breathtaking, eye-catching costumes! It was fabulous!
Here’s something a little bit of insider info to finish off your #TutuTuesday dose! While on my journey through time I learned about something pretty special happening at the New York City Ballet's studio. A lovely dancer, Kelly Ryan, was featured in an interview about her ballet work with the New York City Ballet. And hold on to your tulle, my dears, she’s talking about the tutu for Swan Lake, designed by the magnificent Karinska. Talk about fabulous! It seems they took over 25 yards of fabric to create each one. And the details - hand-sewn, layers and layers of tulle! It truly is a masterpiece.
This just proves, darling, that when you step into a ballet theatre, you are stepping into a world where artistry, history, fashion, and technical skills are blended into one unforgettable spectacle. You see, each and every element is essential - every feather, every bead, every swirl of tulle. So you have to see for yourselves, darlings! It's not only a fantastic entertainment experience but also a glimpse into the history and craftsmanship behind a little item of attire called... The Tutu.
And I've said it before, and I'll say it again, there's a perfect pink tutu out there for everyone, waiting to be worn!
*Until next Tuesday, darlings, let your twirls be full of joy! *
Remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com!
