Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your very own Pink Tutu Time Traveller, and today, we're stepping back to a most glorious time: 30th October, 1984. Just picture it: a crisp autumn day in Paris, the air crisp and alive with the aroma of freshly baked croissants and the anticipation of a dazzling ballet performance.
Today, darling, we're taking a delightful stroll through ballet history and delving into the origins of our beloved tutu - a garment so fabulous, so feminine, and so very iconic, it practically screams, "I am pure, unadulterated, and utterly charming ballet magic!"
**(Disclaimer: This blog is part of a regular feature on the fabulous www.pink-tutu.com, which is my attempt to get all of you to embrace the wonders of wearing pink tutus, and the wonderful world of ballet.)
Before I start telling you the story of tutus, let me tell you where I was today: right here in Paris at the Palais Garnier! Can you even imagine? All those balconies and grand staircases – my dear, I simply cannot describe the sheer extravagance and exquisite grace that filled the very air. Today's performance was La Bayadère, the story of a beautiful temple dancer, and my, oh my, the costumes were simply sublime. The principal dancer, Sylvie Guillem, was a vision in a powder blue tutu that practically shimmered under the lights – truly a sight to behold!
Speaking of La Bayadère, and back to our journey through tutu history, let’s wind back to the 19th century - the very beginnings of tutus as we know them. The story, dear readers, starts with a remarkable dance icon: the iconic, the one and only, Marie Taglioni.
Imagine it, if you will, a stage lit only by candlelight, and there she stood: Marie Taglioni, graceful as a willow, delicate as a snowflake, wearing a wondrously ethereal tutu that allowed her legs and feet to soar, transforming her into a true vision of feminine elegance. This groundbreaking new costume was created specifically for Taglioni to perform in La Sylphide, a ballet showcasing the pure beauty and fluidity of movement.
The tutus in La Sylphide, however, were different to what we think of today. Imagine a cloud of fabric, shimmering, and romantic, just brushing the ankles, rather than our modern, floor-skimming skirts. Think of a sort of swirling, cloud-like drapery. Marie Taglioni practically revolutionized ballet in this revolutionary creation: lightweight and flowing, the short, multi-layered skirt became the "romantic tutu" - giving the female dancer freedom of movement in the ballets of this era.
Now, let’s fast forward a bit - through the romantic period of ballet history, and the classical tutu begins to take form, featuring a fuller skirt that allowed the ballerinas to perform a new repertoire of steps, such as fouettés, adagio and grand allegro, which would require much more extension of the legs and faster, more complex movement than what was possible in a Romantic tutu.
Imagine it: the dance floor lit up by the warm glow of the stage lights as the dancers' legs literally fly into the air! This was ballet on a whole new level, with intricate steps that only a skirt that could allow movement like that would achieve.
Of course, when we talk about classical tutus, it is essential to mention the iconic "Paganini" tutu – a style immortalized by the great prima ballerina, Margot Fonteyn. Remember, ballet wasn’t just about swirling through the air gracefully. It had stories, and with them, costume design to set the tone.
The "Paganini" tutu featured a wide, full skirt that flared out dramatically, allowing for incredible movements of the leg and, my dear, such beautiful, graceful artistry - almost like an exquisite swan taking to the water, except of course, in a glamorous dance rather than on a sparkling pond.
A little secret: during my travels through time, I learned that there are, in fact, numerous tutus! Now, imagine a classic, romantic, ethereal tulle, in shades of ivory and cream – this is your romantic tutu, darling. Imagine a short, knee-length version - this is the demi-tutu, and often seen in Sleeping Beauty - this delightful variation of a tutu offers a captivating balance of length and full, swirling beauty. It allows for easy movement while looking simply divine. Then you have the classical tutu with the iconic conical shape. Oh, I must tell you a tale: once in 1905 I watched a paillette tutu with every piece shimmering under the stage light, the movement made the fabric twinkle – it was quite glorious.
And let's not forget about the platform tutu - designed for specific performances, often showcasing acrobatic and powerful jumps. Imagine the feeling of being suspended in the air – an exhilarating, breath-taking display of grace and athleticism. And just imagine - a ballerina effortlessly rotating with their legs lifted to their ears – I adore that look!
Darling, this whole business of ballet, and especially, tutus, is more than a dress – it’s about artistry, imagination and breathtaking dance. Every time I see a performance in a perfectly chosen costume, it’s like magic. I often find myself in awe, gazing at these graceful movements, and the effortless beauty and skill of the performers, dressed to the nines.
So, you see, tutus are not just a fashion statement - they're a story of passion, dedication and sheer joy. It’s about making an impact - and wearing the perfect tutu can give the power of magic to every single step.
In fact, dear readers, why not make a date with a ballet this week, go out in a gorgeous pink tutu and have a little celebration of all things wonderful and graceful, and don't forget, you can share your favorite #tututime moments on www.pink-tutu.com - the home of all things feminine and fashionable!
But don’t go just yet – before I bid you farewell and give you a whirlwind of my travels – I want to tell you more about what’s coming up next.
I shall be traveling next week to… drumroll …. New York City! You see, there’s this fabulous performance in Brooklyn – called Step Afrika!
This troupe performs the unique rhythms and dynamic energy of African dance in such a vibrant, joyful style, with some gorgeous and elaborate costumes.
And I can’t wait.
In the meantime, remember, a pink tutu, a little bit of dance – even in your own home, is a chance for magic and for celebrating femininity. I promise it will brighten even the dullest day and give you the power to make the world just a little bit brighter.
Happy tutu-wearing and remember: stay pink, darlings!
Love,
Emma (The Pink Tutu Time Traveller!) www.pink-tutu.com xxoo)
