Welcome, darlings, to #TutuTuesday, post number 8095! Today, we're swirling back to 1987 - a year that had me hopping from Covent Garden to the Bolshoi like a giddy schoolgirl! This week's tale is a bit of a 'dress' code, for we're diving deep into the world of the tutu - its origins, its evolution, and of course, how this magnificent garment continues to dazzle on stages across the globe!
Now, I can hear you whisper, "Emma, why are we starting from the 1980s when tutus are, well, practically ancient?" Excellent question, darlings! I'm beginning at this point for a reason! It's when we start to see a revolution in tutu design! Think bright colours, unique shapes, and some truly dramatic outfits - perfect for showcasing that beautiful combination of athleticism and artistry that is ballet!
I've always found it a touch perplexing that this enchanting, feather-light garment has only really been around for about two hundred years! In my own head, I imagine tulle as old as the hills - perhaps even older - fluttering around the ancient Greek dancers. (Although, with the 'free movement' nature of Greek dance, that doesn't quite fit, does it?)
The story begins in the early 19th century with, dare I say it, a slightly 'stodgy' ballet scene. Ballet dancers were wearing layers upon layers of fabric, sometimes over 12 layers! Talk about an unfortunate dress code for such a fluid form of dance! Thank goodness, the great Marie Taglioni - a Parisian ballet icon and practically the OG of tutus - decided to shed the bulk, literally. It was she who sparked this trend! She asked a designer named Charles Worth to create a lightweight skirt for her ballet. He made her a dress, you see, of a sheer cotton mesh that had been developed for ladies' undergarments! Well, what was intended for modesty turned out to be a true revelation for the stage! It gave the dancer movement and airiness, like a breath of fresh air on the stage - no more swaddling oneself in yards and yards of silk!
Fast Forward to the '80s
And that, darlings, brings us to the fabulous eighties! A decade that dared to be bold, and with ballet following suit! Gone were the rigid classical tutus - a silhouette made for romantic, ethereal ballerinas! This new generation of dancers was keen on movement and expression! The rise of Balanchine - a revolutionary figure in dance, known for his neoclassical and modern style - helped inspire this change. His choreographies often used colourful and creative designs - tutus were made to be expressive and bold, capturing the story behind each piece of choreography! It was almost a celebration of movement - and the human body!
And wouldn't you know it, a real trend emerged - the tutu began making its way into street fashion! If there's one thing that gives me joy it's that feeling of confidence - like a blossoming flower reaching for the sun! With so much inspiration, street-wear and catwalk couture started taking cues from the theatre - think feathered boas, sequins, and of course, those fabulous tutus! It was a real fusion of cultures, fashion and performance!
And speaking of street fashion... insert gasp of excitement You know that we just HAD to have a spot of high tea here in Covent Garden this Tuesday! My oh my, the afternoon tea here has become a must for any visiting ballet aficionado, darling. The most charming tradition! There was an intriguing debate going on around my table. My neighbour had told her granddaughter to dress 'fancy' for her visit! Imagine the joy! She'd come all the way from Derbyshire (just like me!) for a weekend of dancing! That lovely little darling told her grandma she wanted to wear a tutu to tea...but to make it 'different', a red one with stripes. The perfect blend of fashion and personal style - the little ballerina just knew! She had that unique spark about her. I mean, let's be real, how can you argue with red stripes! She knew exactly how to get her grandma giggling! Squeals in delight I had to go out and buy some red, stripy tulle ribbons from Liberty after our delightful cuppa - can't help but admire that playful approach to fashion!
Now, if you're still with me after this delightful side-trip (because, well, that little anecdote had to be shared, didn't it? What a lovely thing, seeing that spark in her eye!), I shall continue our exciting trip through history! We have another exciting event today! We are looking at the rise of the Pointe Shoe! This invention was a game-changer - and is STILL being tweaked to this day - but we're not going to dive into those tweaks right now! Let's focus on the pointy toe footwear, the epitome of feminine elegance!
I often think that a good pointe shoe has an air of magic. I've spent my life at ballet classes. And yes, darlings, there is a distinct sense of magic when a dancer makes the transition to pointe! It takes hours of training, hard work and discipline to glide across the floor! A very beautiful, elegant, and powerful symbol! That was why we went on a journey to Russia, all the way to the Bolshoi Theater in 1987. And did I mention that they were holding a production of The Nutcracker - in pointe shoes, no less? sighs I can just close my eyes and picture it all again! It was breathtaking! Every movement felt effortless. The dancing, it was a true celebration of the body - not only the female dancers! That strength of form... and such fluidity. A breathtaking experience, I must admit, I could have sat in that theater forever. I do feel so fortunate to have experienced it, and with the backdrop of such incredible architectural detail too! There's truly nothing like it.
Speaking of the Bolshoi, let me introduce you to Maya Plisetskaya, one of the most prominent figures in the ballet world. She was absolutely captivating in every performance! You can still watch her videos! And she's a real inspiration! But beyond the sheer beauty of ballet and its artistic movement, we mustn't forget, this is a highly technical form of art. Each ballerina has to be highly conditioned, physically and mentally strong to endure the rigorous hours of practice that are the true essence of performance! I can assure you, it's a dance from dawn til dusk for most ballerinas, as well as some very demanding techniques and rules. So to this day, we see incredible physicality in the performances.
That said, darling, let us move onto something a little less intense...the clothes! While on the train back to Derbyshire this time, insert *whimsical giggle the train just so happened to be taking us straight through the heart of London! We passed Victoria's Secret, gasps, I could feel the need to shop...I almost hopped off! And in all my excitement about finding pink tulle ribbon I just HAD to make a stop! Let me tell you - I didn't leave empty handed! I came home with bags bursting! This is where the world of tutu comes into its own, with a touch of pink for good measure! The tutu, at its heart, is simply about creativity, expression, and, well, just being your gorgeous, glittery, sparkling self! What is more exciting than wearing pink tulle! That's the spirit! The spirit that moves us! So this trip through time reminded me - what is fashion if it's not something personal! What a glorious year 1987 was! I mean, let's be honest, there was just so much fabulous colour in those eighties styles, don't you agree?! The best kind of pink for the perfect tutu! We could go on all day, I am sure, darling...
Remember to pop by every #TutuTuesday for more stories and adventures, fashion and ballet fun. Oh, I nearly forgot! We also had a glimpse at the costumes that would soon be dazzling us in productions such as Cats - how incredibly colourful and iconic!
Let's meet again next week for a deeper look into the fabulous fashion of the nineties, my lovelies! Now, excuse me, darling, I think a dance rehearsal calls my name - time to whirl myself across the stage!
Stay glamourous darlings,
Emma
