#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1989-05-16

Blog Post # 8212

Hello dearies, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-licious! It's #TutuTuesday, which means it's time for another whirlwind journey through ballet tutu history. I'm Emma, your resident pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, and I'm ready to whisk you away to the world of tutus, fashion, and all things lovely!

Now, where were we? Today's date is 16th May 1989 - such a beautiful Springtime day, don't you think? And guess what, lovelies? We're right in the heart of London, surrounded by the sights and sounds of one of the most exciting ballet seasons in history! It's the Royal Opera House, where magic is born on stage every night, and every dancer steps onto that grand stage in their own glorious, twirly tutu.

Remember those long, billowing skirts of old? Forget them, darlings, because it's the year 1989, and the tutu is well on its way to becoming the ultimate symbol of grace and beauty!

We've been on quite the adventure together, haven't we? From the very first wispy tutus, designed to resemble classical Grecian dress in the early 1800s, to the structured, romantic tutu's we're starting to see now. This period was all about refining the tutu.

And honestly, can you even imagine a dancer performing without one? Imagine trying to move like a swan, like the graceful ballerinas in Swan Lake (oooh, how I love Swan Lake)! You need a tutu to float, to dance, to capture the imagination. And the ballet world has realised this too. Tutus are in – and everyone knows it!

I just saw a fabulous show, dearie. A little Giselle, performed by the glorious dancers of the Royal Ballet, wearing tutus so fluffy, I almost wanted to snatch them and wear them myself. Honestly, you wouldn't have believed how those dancers floated across the stage, swirling like whispers in the wind, their tutus making those ethereal shapes like the most beautiful works of art! Sigh! It truly was divine, darlings, simply divine.

Speaking of divine, let’s get back to our journey through the world of tutus! Back in the 1800s, these twirly wonders were still quite modest - skirts with only one layer, and they didn't go all the way up to the knee! They'd probably look pretty quaint to us today, and certainly a far cry from the fluffy clouds of tulle we see on the Royal Opera House stage now!

Then came the reign of the tutu: In the late 19th Century and into the 20th Century, the tutus started to really become what we see today - multiple layers, made of those beautiful sheer fabrics, so lightweight and elegant! The 'tutu revolution', darlings!

I love the stories behind the tutu designs! The famous Romantic Tutu, a swirling vision of lightness, designed by Carlotta Grisi - the star of Giselle – what a pioneer! You see, ballet is not just about the dance, it’s also about fashion and artistry, a visual spectacle just as breathtaking as the moves. Those first tutu designs, with their long, floating skirts, took our breath away, but those days are gone, darling. It's all about short, tiered skirts and bold, glamorous creations!

Yes, darling, this is my favourite colour, the colour that truly represents ballet! Why? Because it evokes such femininity and grace, it makes me feel confident, powerful – exactly what a ballerina wants to feel, wouldn't you say? * Pink just twirls right off the tutu, making you *feel like a princess, a beautiful butterfly fluttering in the air - pure delight. I think every tutu should have a touch of pink in it, just a little pink shimmer, wouldn't that be lovely?

Speaking of tutus... *Let’s chat a little more about the history behind the tutus that are worn by our beloved dancers today, shall we?

There's this thing about tutus that makes them almost… magical, don’t you think? The simple construction– layers of tulle - makes each one truly unique. Think about it! Every layer can be sewn to be slightly different from the next, to create an exciting effect. Some designers use lots of ruffles, some use sleek, streamlined lines, some use shimmering metallic thread – the creativity has no bounds!

It’s a beautiful process to watch, darling!

Take the tutu for Giselle, for instance, designed for Maria Tallchief in 1958 – it was a masterpiece of simple, lightweight tulle that embodied both innocence and sensuality. Each movement of this tutu became its own performance! Imagine all those different looks that we see on stage, those exciting fabrics. Each tutu is telling its own story, like a tiny, whispering voice! *Tutus: It's art you can wear! *

And let’s not forget the colours! A good tutu needs a beautiful colour. Think about it - a simple black and white Swan Lake tutu - it's elegant. But imagine Giselle, that softest shade of pale pink, and The Nutcracker's sparkling candy pink! They bring out the sheer poetry of those timeless classics. It’s not just fabric, darling, it's an art form!

Remember that 1980s' tutus, with their vibrant hues? Lime Green, shocking Pink? Now they just make us giggle. I mean, wouldn’t that have been quite the shock if it happened on Swan Lake, that big Tutu Makeover? Oh my! They wanted a strong, daring aesthetic, like a statement on stage, don’t you see? Dare to be bold - and they did! So dramatic, it actually took the audience’s breath away!

It's been such a fabulous ride for the ballet tutu. And now? Now it’s a mix, a beautiful blend! Sometimes sleek, sometimes dramatic, and sometimes it's classic – just like our hearts.

I’m thinking of a lovely new tutu for the next dance class… a stunning turquoise blue, a pop of lime, or a gorgeous lavender! Can you picture it, darlings? A little dance in those shades, on a stage lit up by spotlights – heavenly, just heavenly!

Now, I simply must head off to the ballet studio for a quick practice! It’s all about balance, darling. A mix of artistry and style!

Let me know if you have any #TutuTuesday requests or any thoughts on today’s blog. I can’t wait to hear all about your ballet tutu thoughts.

And always remember, darling… Every girl needs a pink tutu!

See you next week for another #TutuTuesday Until then, keep twirling!

P.S. Be sure to check back for my next blog post about tutus and the best way to make a ballerina outfit complete with beautiful matching shoes!

Your Time Travelling Ballerina, Emma. xoxo