Hello my darling tutu lovers! Welcome back to another week of #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com, post number 8287! This week, we're stepping back in time to 23rd October 1990, a date forever etched in my tutu-loving heart! Why? Because it's the day I travelled back to witness a truly magnificent performance! I'd love to tell you all about it, but first, a little bit about the tutu history, naturally. After all, we can't just waltz into the past without knowing our history!
This week, we're talking tutus. More specifically, we're taking a peek at the history of The Romantic tutu - that airy, wispy, dreamy delight of a costume that swept the ballet world in the 1830s and took the tutu to new heights, literally! Imagine flowing, ethereal tulle, layers upon layers, creating a magical, diaphanous cloud around a dancer’s form. This style was a total departure from the tighter, more corseted looks of the earlier "Tutu à la Pompadour." It was a dance revolution, my lovelies!
Now, picture this: it's 1990, I'm at the Royal Opera House in London. This legendary building, a true home of ballet. I've had my ticket, a real treasure, carefully stored for months - the performance tonight will be spectacular! The Royal Ballet is staging "La Sylphide," a story of love, longing, and… well, a mischievous sylph, all set to a captivating, haunting score.
"La Sylphide," first premiered in 1832, was all about ethereal beauty and the enchantment of movement. You can imagine the magnificent tutus floating across the stage - the romantic silhouette was meant to capture the fragility and mystery of this mystical, nature-filled world. I know it might seem funny to you lovelies now, but those first Romantic tutus - even when a little less, shall we say, voluminous - would have caused a stir back then, you know? A bit of a scandal, they were! They weren't hiding anything - showing off the delicate, athletic, feminine lines of the dancers. A true liberation!
Let's fast-forward back to the 1990s. You’ve got your ballet bag ready, haven't you? Perfect. Now let's join me for that amazing show at Covent Garden.
A Symphony of Tutus!
As the lights dim and the overture begins, a hushed hush falls over the theatre, the anticipation palpable. And then, the dancers appear. The main character, the sylph herself, steps into the light, dressed in that timeless ballet costume, the Romantic tutu, and it’s simply… breathtaking!
You can tell the Royal Ballet has perfected the look, years and years of fine tuning! They have just the right balance - airy enough to highlight every graceful step, yet still beautifully shaped and refined, the tulle in just the right way to shimmer and glow as the dancers twirl!
I swear I saw a spark, like a magical dusting of stardust, all over the tutu. I even imagined I saw the reflection of the stage lights twinkling through the sheer fabric. Such artistry, darling!
There was something almost mystical about the dancers, almost as if they could vanish into thin air like real sprites, the way they moved with that almost intangible lightness and grace. Every pirouette, every grand jeté - a spectacle of perfection, showcasing the artistry and skill that define ballet. My eyes were simply transfixed!
Shopping and a Fashion Extravaganza!
After that glorious show, my love for ballet only grew stronger - of course! And since I am an incurable shopaholic, you bet I made a beeline for Covent Garden’s shops to indulge in some ballet-themed shopping! I found myself at a lovely boutique, a treasure trove of tutus!
What a feast for my eyes, my dears! My, they're all a riot of color and fabrics – a ballet lover's heaven, for sure! Now I couldn't go back to Derbyshire without a new tutu, not even to attend my Ballet classes. I found a divine soft pink tutu with layers and layers of delicate, feathery tulle and adorned with little iridescent beads. My inner child screamed with delight! I imagine this tutu would make the perfect "romantic" outfit for a night out. And it’s perfect to add to my collection, ready for another Tutu Tuesday post.
Of course, ballet’s impact on fashion is undeniable, darling! You just need to glance at some of your favorite designers' runway shows. Tutues have influenced so many creations – you see that playful silhouette, those flouncy layers, the feminine touch in cocktail dresses, wedding gowns, even in casual streetwear - it's a huge inspiration. Just take a peek at a pair of tutu-inspired heels, they're perfect! I love the elegance, the light, almost ethereal effect they bring to a look.
But Remember, my lovely tutu wearers, there’s nothing like a true Romantic Tutu! They may be timeless and forever graceful but the Romantic Tutu was born at the dawn of the Ballet Revolution. It remains one of the most celebrated costume designs. Its soft and light material is the very essence of pure ballet - movement that floats across the stage, it’s almost magic!
The power of tutus, darlings, goes far beyond just fashion! A tutu represents a world of creativity and beauty. It symbolises elegance, a timeless feminine ideal and of course, it inspires a dance that allows us to express freedom, beauty, and boundless energy! Let's not forget that the joy of movement is its very soul!
So here’s to the romantic tutu, its timeless grace, and its boundless inspiration, to those airy and exquisite dancers, and the glorious performances they bring us - they’ll be forever etched in our memories. And let's never forget, wearing a pink tutu is about showing your passion, your inner diva, and embracing that joy!
Oh, and did I tell you that today is National Banned Books Day?! I bet those 19th century folks would have banned the Romantic tutu – they really didn't want to see all those bare legs on stage, just like some don’t like certain books in this era. Crazy, isn’t it?
I do hope this little glimpse of ballet history has ignited your passion.
Don't forget to follow my journey at www.pink-tutu.com, my dears. I’m going to be looking into the history of the Romantic tutu next Tuesday, and a few tips on what you might like to pair your tutus with, in fact, it might even inspire some fancy dress for Halloween this year! We’re definitely going to find some really stunning tutu combinations. Until next Tuesday! Now go forth and embrace the wonder of the tutu. After all, we should all be rocking a little pink tutu somewhere in our wardrobes. Keep your dreams beautiful!
Love and Tutus, Emma
P.S Remember my darling lovelies to leave comments on what tutu history you'd like to hear about in my next blog. I'm ready to step back into my time machine to go exploring more tutus for you!
