Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your tutu-loving time-traveler, and today on #TutuTuesday we're taking a trip back to December 13th, 1988, for a peek at the glorious history of the ballet tutu!
You know I love nothing more than swirling through time, watching ballerinas flit across stages in the most fabulous of tutus. This week, I travelled all the way to Paris - that iconic city of fashion and flair! Can you imagine, my dears? My pink tutu just twirled and swirled with all the excitement of this beautiful, historical place! I must admit, the Eiffel Tower does look awfully dashing when viewed through a swirling tutu.
Today, December 13th, 1988, there’s a wonderful ballet going on at the Paris Opera. I’m so lucky to have a ticket - they always go quickly! It’s the ballet "La Bayadère" and just knowing that legendary tutu-clad ballerinas have danced this very piece fills me with joy.
But before I rush off to catch the show, let's talk tutus! The history of these fabulous garments is just as delightful as they are themselves!
The Beginnings of the Tutu:
It all started in the early 1800s when the Romantic Era was blossoming in dance. The ballerinas, those graceful nymphs, needed to move freely! You know how much I love that ethereal movement – swirls, jumps, leaps! So, to give them the freedom to express their beautiful moves, they began to replace the long, cumbersome skirts with the shorter, airier, tutu!
Imagine my excitement, discovering those early tutus! You see, my darlings, these weren’t the big, frilly tutus we love today, oh no! They were closer to calf-length, quite simple really, with just a few layers of fabric. Can you believe it?
The Evolution of the Tutu:
Now, over the decades, the tutu has transformed just as much as fashion itself! We saw the Romantic tutu grow even shorter, the tutus getting tighter and more structured! We even had the "pencil skirt" tutu - oh so chic! It really felt like each ballerina was writing their own unique chapter in the history of the tutu.
In the 20th century, we had those wonderful layered and frilled tutu’s which are the most recognizable form today, even now. What I love is, with every ballet piece, each choreographer adds their own creative flare to the design of the tutus, making every performance a special and beautiful experience.
Now, I have to dash. My cab will be here soon and I wouldn’t want to miss the opening scene! You see, this performance features the famous "Kingdom of the Shades," which has those gorgeous tutus. They really capture that essence of angelic, haunting beauty - something quite captivating!
It’s true, my dears, even though fashion changes and times change, one thing remains constant - the glorious ballet tutu!
I promise, tomorrow I'll share all about my experience at "La Bayadère" - my fabulous seat, the spectacular dance, the beautiful costumes... And, of course, I’ll be telling you all about my little shopping spree for the perfect pair of pink shoes to go with my own tutu!
Don’t forget, darlings! This Saturday we'll be exploring the colourful history of tutus, as I head over to Derbyshire’s fantastic new ballet school, where I’m set to perform a special piece, just for the kids. Who knows? I might even find myself getting them hooked on a lifetime of twirling and dreaming. And, yes, that means you, girls, and all the boys too! It’s the pink-tutu revolution, darling!
Until next Tuesday, let your spirits soar! Remember, every day is a new adventure in a pink tutu.
Yours in all things pink and fabulous, Emma
P.S. Be sure to check out www.pink-tutu.com for all my latest posts and adventures! You can also follow me on social media @pinktutu_adventures - because a world filled with pink tutus is a world I just have to share!
