Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed time traveller. Today, we're going to step back in time to a very special date: 25th December 1984. This day isn't just any old day, though. This was a Christmas Day – and in the world of ballet, we were all hoping for one special gift: a magical tutu.
A Christmas Day of Nutcracker Delights:
Before we get into the fascinating history of tutus, let's talk about where the magic truly is: on stage! I was lucky enough to catch the Nutcracker on Christmas Day at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Can you imagine?! The lights were glittering, the snowflakes twirling, and those darling sugar plum fairies...oh, it was absolute perfection!
Speaking of the Nutcracker, let’s talk a little about the tutus in the ballet. These aren't just any old fluffy creations! In the 1980s, there was a shift in costume design with more focus on movement and flow, allowing for some absolutely beautiful lines and movement. Just seeing the pointe shoes glided through those shimmering tutus – sighs dreamily - absolute bliss!
Now, let’s journey back to a time when the tutu wasn't so glamorous…
We're going to rewind all the way to 1832! And no, there were no sparkling pointe shoes or beautiful tulle yet. Ballet dancers in those days wore something called “Robe a la Polaire", basically a dress! You'd think it would have been lovely to twirl in, but it was actually very constricting. And can you imagine doing a grand jeté in it? Disaster waiting to happen, darling!
It wasn't until the *1840s that tutus truly became a "thing". Enter Carlotta Grisi - she was an absolute star of ballet, and she was known for her graceful, effortless style. But imagine, with her dancing prowess, she wasn't wearing a beautiful flowing tutu! Nope! She wore a dress - like *really wearing a long, flowy skirt while doing the splits! This inspired her costume designer to make something lighter, creating a dress that stopped mid-calf, with several layers of soft fabric beneath the outer layers. This was a true turning point!**
Fast forward a few decades to the 1900s, and the iconic tutu style you see today – the "Classical tutu" – is born! Think Swan Lake with its stunning fluffy layers or the Sleeping Beauty where they flow so effortlessly. That multi-layered beauty you see on stage now comes from the ingenuity and the desire to show off the grace and athleticism of ballet.
But our tutu journey doesn't end here!
As the 20th century progressed, there was a real evolution in the shape of tutus. Gone were the ultra-fluffy shapes, replaced with simpler and more sleek lines. This allows for even more intricate footwork and movement, perfect for highlighting the speed and precision of modern dance. Imagine those sharp lines and those intricate, detailed movements, like you're watching a ballerina dance on air! And let’s be honest, you’d probably need a whole lot of fabric to hide that kind of talent!
Fast forward to today…
In 1984, tutus were evolving even further, and they continued to throughout the 1990s! More modern styles emerged with different materials like stretch nylon or the now very common “double voile” (superlight and strong!), and we saw new tutu shapes - with more volume and movement. There was a real sense of experimentation in tutu design – from the full classic tutus of traditional ballet to more minimalistic, streamlined tutus in modern dance. We’ve gone from long dresses to short dresses and now we have the most glorious tutus. Each evolution and style represents how we see dance today.
So what can we learn from this journey through tutu history? First, that the beauty of dance is often captured in the dance itself, with the tutu enhancing, but never overshadowing the artistry and technical brilliance! Secondly, that fashion changes constantly and so do our attitudes and perspectives. And just like a ballerina constantly evolving and pushing boundaries, the tutu evolves too, adapting and innovating to reflect new interpretations of dance, new styles of choreography and the ever-changing spirit of dance.
Now, go on then, you fabulous ballet fans, and remember…
*There's a ballerina inside of you, ready to bloom! Go find that sparkle in you and get ready to twirl! I dare you - wear a pink tutu today. 😉 *
Until next week, darling,
Emma 💖
