Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite tutu-obsessed time traveller, and today, as per tradition, it's #TutuTuesday, so let's dive into the magical history of the ballet tutu! This week, we're time-hopping to 7th February, 1989. Fancy a ride on my time-travelling, pink tutu-clad train? All aboard!
(This blog post is also part of my "Get everyone wearing a pink tutu" campaign - because the world needs more sparkle, wouldn't you agree?)
As we arrive in 1989, the world is awash in a brilliantly bright, neon-soaked explosion of colour - just like a perfect, perfectly pink tutu! The 80s have been kind to tutus - it's the era of big hair, leg warmers, and bright, oversized tulle tutus (you know the kind that could double as a giant bubble-gum explosion!) Think "Flashdance" meets "Pretty in Pink" with a splash of ballet - a dazzling dance between fun, fashion, and fantasy!
You could spot those vibrant, puffy tutus all over the place: at ballet classes, performances, and even - hold onto your bonnets, darlings - as fashionable street wear. Can you imagine? The world embraced the tutu in all its glorious pinkness! The very air practically buzzed with a joyous, fluffy sense of adventure and just look at the hairspray being used! It's a magnificent explosion of style, a reminder that life should be lived in bold strokes!
I just love watching ballet in the 80s! There’s such dramatic flair and dazzling technical ability - everything's a little bit larger than life, a dazzling display of dance that will have you jumping out of your seats, twirling with excitement, and gasping with joy! (Don't worry, darling, the tutus are safe. They’re secured on those grand ballet dancers with sturdy, safe, and comfortable ballet shoes).
Oh, did you know...? I managed to grab some tickets to see "La Bayadere" performed by the Bolshoi Ballet today! It’s a classic. Those magnificent tutus in "La Bayadere"! The pinkness! Oh, my! You must come with me on the next journey, darlings - trust me!
You know what else I discovered today? This week in 1989, the Royal Opera House launched The Royal Ballet's first ever nationwide tour of Britain. Talk about spreading the tutu-love across the country, my darlings! Imagine all those exciting tutus getting a chance to pirouette in front of different audiences and enchant brand-new tutu enthusiasts with the magic of dance! That is what I call an epic adventure!
Now, don't get too carried away in the retro glamour of the 80s just yet, darlings! The history of the tutu isn't a neat story with a beginning, a middle, and an end, it's an ongoing saga filled with incredible twists and turns. It's a tale of transformation, elegance, and how the humble tutu has evolved over the centuries from simple and practical, to a show-stopping statement of graceful beauty.
Before we hop off my train, let's quickly hop into my Tutu Time Machine for a brief whirlwind tour:
From the 16th Century: A brief appearance! Ballet had its start back in the days of kings and queens. Back then, those fabulous dancers - imagine, princes and princesses swirling in beautiful silks and dancing in stunning costumes - wore a simple little chemise (kind of like a tunic with sleeves). This was a basic dress with long, billowing sleeves, much less extravagant than a tutu, but hey, a dancer was a dancer back then!
Into the 1800s: The tutu-volution begins! Dancers began wearing more elaborate costumes, embracing skirts that grew gradually shorter.
This new style became known as the “Romantic Tutu," and you know what? I’m going to start saying “Romantic Tutus” from now on! That has such a fancy ring to it! Anyway, it was all about being dainty, dreamy, and effortlessly feminine, perfect for swirling across a stage! This tutu would grow even shorter - those daring ballerinas would reveal a little more leg! You know, as we got a little more modern!Into the Grand 19th century: Time for a big splash! You see, in those grand days of ballet, the tutu transformed into the “Classical Tutu,” that we know and love. Think longer skirts made with a single layer of tulle. Yes, it was perfect for dancing “en pointe,” but imagine the dramatic swirling action of all those yards of graceful, dancing tulle! The impact on the stage was undeniable! This classical tutu had real, practical beauty, and gave those fabulous ballet dancers the power to move like beautiful birds of a feather.
The 20th Century: This is where tutus exploded in popularity, a beautiful example of art evolving over time. You know how some dances are born in specific moments in time - that's what happened to the tutu! And you could say that's what happened to pink too. There's an iconic feel to pink, an elegant sense of history and a sense of joy. The 20th century saw tutus continue to take on all sorts of exciting shapes. A single layer turned into several for those magical dancers who were already a delight to watch! Ballet has such energy, and tutus have such flair! That's why it's my mission to have everyone wearing pink tutus. Imagine! Imagine all of the world being more elegant and more pink, more fun, more fashionable, more magical and more bright! The perfect ballet tutu is such a symbol of joyful femininity and powerful freedom of expression! You can just feel it as soon as you see those magnificent ballerinas performing with perfect poise and confidence - all because the tuts of tutus really help those dancers express their hearts, souls, and imaginations with passion and style.
The best way to discover the magic of the ballet is to witness it firsthand - in all of its elegant glory! Go and see a performance near you, or even take up a ballet class! Let's continue to embrace those fabulously fluffy creations of tulle and dance like nobody's watching! Let the joy of dancing be the perfect soundtrack for your day and be inspired to embrace the world with flair and style!
Keep dancing, darlings! And don't forget to put on your pink tutu.
Until next week!
XOXO, Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
