#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1995-08-29

Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing ballerina, back with another blast from the past! This week, we're taking a twirl back to the magical summer of 1995. It's hard to believe it's been nearly thirty years since the Spice Girls stormed the charts and grunge was still a thing.

But you know what never goes out of style? Ballet! So buckle up your dancing shoes, grab a cup of tea, and get ready for a whirlwind journey through the history of the tutu. We'll be stepping back in time to discover how the tutu evolved and its role in ballet.

Remember to check out the website www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest fashion trends and tutus to wear!

The 29th of August 1995. Ah, summer! In the UK, the weather's usually fantastic this time of year. I imagine the air is thick with sunshine and the smell of freshly cut grass. Now, what else happened this day?

• A brand-new series of "Friends" aired for the first time in America! How much fun to watch with my girlfriends. Can you believe this hit TV series was still running when I travelled back in time?
• Remember that absolutely epic dance sequence from "Clueless?" * The iconic 90s chick flick! My darling friend and I went to see it at the Odeon. I don't think we stopped dancing all night!
• The Rolling Stones had a big concert on, so my boyfriend and I made a dash to London from Derbyshire to catch it.

Ah, 1995. You certainly knew how to party! I wonder what else I got up to? My diary always comes in handy. It's not digital, of course. Just the old fashioned notebook I've been writing in for years, which helps with my time travel journeys, especially for dates! Let me have a little look at what happened on this date in my old diaries…

…Okay, I was lucky to catch "La Bayadère" at the Royal Opera House on the 28th August 1995, but I had a date lined up, and so my dear friend and I went to the pub instead to celebrate her birthday. However, that's how it goes!

As a seasoned time traveller, you never know where you'll end up. But one thing remains a constant - my love affair with ballet, and especially with the beautiful tutu!

This Week's Tutu Talk

Speaking of tutus, what better time to delve into the enchanting history of this dance garment? You'd be surprised how far back the origins of the tutu stretch. So buckle up and join me as we trace the tutu's evolution from its humble beginnings to the exquisite, gravity-defying masterpieces we adore today.

A Glimpse into the Origins of the Tutu

In the early days of ballet, dancers donned long, flowing skirts, which resembled ball gowns more than the tutus we know and love today. The original name for a tutu was "jupe" which translates to 'skirt'. Can you imagine those long heavy fabrics flying around on stage? It would be challenging enough on a regular stage, let alone if you're in the middle of an icy cold outdoor arena, with a big gusty wind!

Thankfully, ballet wasn't stuck in that era for long! The mid-19th century witnessed a monumental transformation. It was then that Marie Taglioni, the celebrated ballerina of her time, decided to create something more form-fitting and easier to move in. It was then that a tutu's popularity really exploded!

Romanticism was a driving force in dance. Dancers needed costumes to reflect the style and freedom of romantic expression.

That's why Taglioni embraced a skirt with a shorter length that would allow her to show off her feet and delicate movements, like fluttering a ballet shoe. With shorter lengths came greater freedom to move! And, she even shortened it further, adding it into a light, flowing fabric and added the famous, romantic tutu with a very short, airy and almost wispy layered skirt, in stark contrast to the long gowns.

What did we learn from this historical ballet revelation? Change! Sometimes all you need to do is embrace change. Think of the iconic designs by Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes from 1911!

By the end of the nineteenth century, ballet took on its more modern style with tutus now reaching all different shapes and styles! Think short tutus and long tutus. The classic tutu has since become part of our fashion history.

Whether it's the romantic "swan lake" tutus, the layered, short ballerina costumes in a pas de deux, or the longer fifi tutus we associate with "Giselle", each tutu is designed to showcase and amplify the ballerina's grace, elegance and incredible technical skill.

For ballet enthusiasts like me, it’s always magical watching how different choreographers have inspired so many ballet designers to create spectacular tutus over time. Let’s not forget the dazzling tutus designed by Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Valentino and even Jean Paul Gaultier who are known to make the most fabulous costumes for ballet productions today.

The world of the tutu is truly fascinating! These tutus are a testament to artistry and creativity and I'm fascinated by their impact on the dance world and fashion! It's more than just an outfit; it's a work of art.

Each time I jump back into history, I love discovering all the unique and innovative tutu designs that influenced the development of ballet itself. I am constantly in awe of those talented choreographers and designers who, as the years have gone by, have created timeless looks, even back in the nineteenth century.

Today, the tutu continues to evolve. With modern styles of tutus on stage, and dancers adopting their own signature, edgy tutus, the ballet world keeps surprising us with more new fashion choices. It's more than just ballet history to me - I feel a bit more like I'm actually going on a fashion adventure, like going on a buying spree at the designer boutique I love most!

Who knows where my next Tutu Tuesday post will be?!

Next time, we’ll venture through time to a ballet performance on the 29th August, 1995. We’ll see the stars on stage whirling in their tutu’s for all those amazing audience members - from little princesses to fashionable theatregoers! Who knows where it will lead, though… I love my travels - maybe I will be able to visit Russia, just for one day, to experience a whole other ballet culture. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!

Don't forget to share your favourite Tutu Tuesday blog post in the comments below! Until next time, keep dancing and keep those tutus twirling! And check out my ballet tutu website for more fab tutus that are totally fit for a queen.

Keep spreading that tutu love!

See you next Tuesday!

Love, Emma