Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back for another #TutuTuesday! Today, we're venturing back to a rather spectacular date: February 9th, 1993.
London Calling!
I just arrived in London, by train, naturally! It's absolutely brimming with excitement ā the kind of bustling energy that only a city can provide. And my little pink tutu is absolutely feeling it, just twirling with the cityās pulse! This weekās time travel adventure finds us right in the heart of the London ballet scene, with several spectacular performances happening across the city!
The Royal Opera House is calling!
Just a little flutter in my tutu as I step inside the Royal Opera House, the hallowed halls where legends are born and ballets shimmer to life. Theyāre staging āSwan Lakeā this week and I can't resist joining the queues outside to grab tickets. The atmosphere is electric with excitement as theatre goers chat about the latest dance productions. Everyone is in their finest attire! Thereās a whisper of satin and silk in the air, with a hint of ballet slipper. My pink tutu, perfectly complementing the scene, of course. Oh, to be amongst such an adoring crowd! It truly gives me the feeling that ballet, the love of the tutu, the artistry - it is alive and well in the hearts of people here.
A Tutu Timewarp!
Before I dive into the history, it's amazing to be back in 1993. Just the mere fact that my phone isn't exploding with social media posts makes me want to do a pirouette. But this journey's all about tutus and that magical ballet history, so let's jump back in!
The Tutu Takes Shape!
In the grand scheme of dance, balletās still a relative newcomer in the world of dance styles. But tutus, in all their beautiful glory, already have a long and rather dramatic story to tell.
Letās rewind our ballet time machine a few years back to 1830s France and those spectacular ballerinas at the Paris Opera. It was there, amidst swirling tutus and the grand tradition of ballet, that a little change started to shape what would become the signature tutu that we know and love today.
You see, in the 1800s, ballerinas wore heavy skirts with an underskirt that didnāt exactly encourage pirouettes, high kicks, or even elegant steps! The French dancer, Marie Taglioni, was the revolutionary force of change ā a real trailblazer! This vision of a tutu that moved with her dance and gracefully unveiled her movements? Revolutionary! And thanks to her artistic innovation and a clever seamstress who understood how to adapt clothing to dance, we now have that beautiful layered, graceful, tulle skirt that allows for such beauty in movement. The āRomantic Tutuā (as it is aptly named), created by her tailor was not as bulky, but instead airy, and made with layers of tulle ā that signature lightweight design!
From the Romantic Tutu to the Bell Tutuā¦and Everything In Between!
By the time 1993 arrived, there were all sorts of delightful versions of the tutu to admire: the Classical Tutu, a short tutu, much like the Romantic, but designed to sit right above the hip; and the āBell Tutuā, that beautifully gathered skirt, looking like the bell of a flower! So in a ballet performance from this era, we might find ourselves being wowed by ballerinas with all sorts of different tutus! The Bell Tutu was really in style by this time!
But thatās not the only fascinating bit about the history of the tutu in this era! You know what is really cool? The invention of *the tutu as a symbol! *
Balletās Dance With the World of Art
Remember that iconic artwork? Degas's "La Classe de Danse"? Degasā paintings really pushed forward the idea of tutus as a powerful symbol ā the tutu was an emblem of the ballerina and her beauty, a visual shorthand for this magical world of dance. Even more impactful was that, in Degasā time, he painted those dancers and their amazing costumes during the shift between classical tutu styles and new romantic styles - all the beauty, passion, grace and movement. A fantastic glimpse into that creative energy!
From Derbyshire to the Worldās Ballet Stagesā¦ One Tutu at a Time!
There is so much magic in this dance of time ā I always get such a rush seeing the world unfold through the history of the ballet tutu! Each era brings with it unique designs and innovative spins on the tutu, each with their own personality and sense of artistry! And my dear, my mission remains constant - inspiring a tutu revolution ā a world where everyone, in every era, embraces a little bit of tutu magic. Itās all about celebrating creativity and beauty and feeling just a touch more magnificent with every twirl!
So, whether it's watching an awe-inspiring ballet, or getting your hands on some tulle and DIYing a beautiful creation of your own (the internet has so many creative DIY guides!), the love for tutus truly never ends! Until next time, tutu lovers! Let's twirl our way into a beautiful, vibrant future, filled with all sorts of magical adventures!
P.S. I'll be twirling my way through Paris next week. Can you guess what amazing historical ballet events await me there?! See you then!
