Welcome, darlings, to another glorious Tuesday! 🩰💖
It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-obsessed ballerina, Emma, here, ready to whisk you away on a whimsical journey through the enchanting world of the tutu. I'm so thrilled to have you back on the pink-tutu.com website! We're delving deep into the history of the tutu today, because frankly, how can you dance a graceful plié without knowing the elegant history behind the garment?!
Today's date, 9th June 1987, takes us back to the late 1980s. Fashion was a whirlwind of colour and creativity - shoulder pads were still a thing, and everyone was living for bright neon colours, leggings, and everything with a hint of sparkle! We're lucky to be here now to look back on it all and marvel at the beauty and evolution of fashion through time.
And just like today, we are so incredibly lucky to be immersed in such a magical time for ballet! June 1987 saw the legendary Royal Ballet’s "The Sleeping Beauty," staged at the Royal Opera House (a true must-see, darling, trust me!) But there were plenty of other dazzling shows happening across the globe – from the American Ballet Theatre to the Paris Opera Ballet. It's a beautiful reminder that the passion and magic of ballet never sleeps.
Speaking of beauty and magic, can we talk about the tutu?
The tutu has evolved from the simplest, shortest forms to grand and magnificent constructions of fabric, tulle, and feathers. It’s truly a story worth celebrating!
So, to help us understand how we came to love these gloriously flowing, twirling masterpieces of fabric, I've compiled a timeline of sorts. Just think of it as your own little tutu history lesson for today! 💖
The Beginnings of the Tutu (c. 1830):
Picture this, dear reader, the early days of romantic ballet, where graceful ballerinas performed stories of love and magic, swirling through the air, their airy movements mimicking birds in flight. The skirts of the era, known as "tutus" at the time, were typically long, floor-length dresses that were practical yet unflattering. Imagine trying to leap in those! Not very graceful, darling!
This is where the prima ballerina of the time, Marie Taglioni, stepped in with a revolutionary concept: she wanted something lighter, shorter, something that would let her movements soar and twirl like a fairy! Marie decided to chop off those cumbersome long skirts and replace them with something far more elegant and practical: a short, single-layered, light-as-air garment made of tulle. And just like that, the ballerina became a vision of effortless grace and flight.
The Tutu Gets Its Layers (c. 1880 - 1920):
A little over half a century later, with a strong emphasis on more dramatic, athletic movement, the tutu got its extra layers of tulle, which would soon become synonymous with the style of dancing that swept the stages. We started to see "classical" tutus in the late nineteenth century – what we often think of when we picture ballet nowadays, a bell-shaped shape with a fitted bodice and multiple layers of tulle creating a breathtaking cascade of light and movement. I love to picture them dancing, their tutus rippling and shimmering around them as if caught in a gentle breeze! It’s enough to give me goosebumps!
The "Modern" Tutu (1940s - 1980s):
By the 1940s, ballet was embracing even more exciting and dynamic styles of movement, so the tutu naturally needed to adapt.
Enter the "Tutu de Jour" or “Modern Tutu”, the epitome of streamlined grace, sleek and simple in design. This style ditched the multiple layers for a single, airy layer of tulle. This streamlined look enabled a far greater freedom of movement – just imagine the possibilities, darling! The modern tutu still maintained its graceful form but became slimmer and more aerodynamic, with minimal structure, allowing the dancer to leap and bound across the stage with ease and grace. I must admit, darling, these are my absolute favourites!
Tutus: Fashion and Creativity
Tutus are truly beautiful creations! I know that for a fact – I have so many to choose from! I wear pink almost all the time, and of course, I've found the most beautiful shades of pink tutus for every mood. From the delicate ballet pink to the most vibrant, candy-coloured pinks!
You’d think they only come in ballet pink, wouldn’t you, darling? Think again! There’s a world of colour and variety waiting for you. And I just love finding something unique and truly special! Whether you prefer classic, elegant designs or something more whimsical and extravagant, there’s a tutu out there for everyone!
For example, have you ever seen a tutu made of silver or gold tulle? Stunning! I adore finding a tutu made from fabric that shimmers and shines as I twirl under the stage lights. *And then there are the beautiful hand-beaded tutus…gasps* I simply must visit the ballet shop in Covent Garden this weekend and look at some of these dazzling masterpieces! **
If I’ve learned anything, dear reader, it's that tutus embrace a mix of style, creativity, and a deep passion for the artistry of ballet. They are true works of art in their own right – and not just in terms of the way they move and dance. But, more than anything, tutus inspire!
So go out there, darlings, embrace the joy of twirling, let the world see your pink, let your tutu spirit shine!
That's all from me for today. Stay tuned for my next post next Tuesday, when we'll be travelling through the eras of fashion with another blast of Tutu History. I’ll be looking back on the 1920s – prepare for sequins and sparkles galore! * And be sure to come by *www.pink-tutu.com and check out my latest blog posts!
And before you go, be sure to tell me - what's your favourite style of tutu? Leave a comment below and let's start a conversation! 🩰💖
Yours truly,
Emma
