Hello darlings! 💋
Welcome to another #TutuTuesday here on Pink-Tutu.com, where every Tuesday we dive into the magical world of ballet and, of course, those gloriously feminine tutus! Today, we’re travelling back in time, my train ticket is all set, and I’m ready to share with you the wonderful history of ballet tutus on the 28th January 1997! I’ve got my favourite pink tutu on and my pink shoes – you know I couldn’t possibly time-travel in anything else! This week’s post is number 8614, which feels like such a special number – almost a perfect 10! 💖 I’m so excited to be taking you on a trip through history this week. Grab your pinkest beverage and a comfy cushion, and get ready for a truly magical journey through the past!
Now, let's take a twirl back to 28th January 1997, just a little over 25 years ago. Remember 1997? That was the year the Spice Girls took the world by storm, the time when "Titanic" was the movie everyone was watching, and Princess Diana was still lighting up the world with her grace and style. Fashion was all about grunge and oversized sweaters. And in the world of ballet, oh, my darlings, the tutu was in full swing!
This was the year I, as a budding young ballerina in Derbyshire, fell head over heels for the ballet "Swan Lake". Remember "Swan Lake", a beautiful piece by Tchaikovsky? I watched it at the Royal Opera House, London, and it just stole my heart, you see, it was pure magic. My dearest darling! The tutus in that performance, they were utterly magnificent, with layers upon layers of silk, delicate sequins, and breathtaking design. The principal ballerina who played Odette, you just couldn't take your eyes off of her! She truly captured the spirit of grace and fragility, making that beautiful swan costume simply utterly unforgettable.
So much has changed since then. But one thing that’s remained timeless, my darlings, is the beauty and artistry of the ballet tutu! They're more than just clothing, they’re a symbol of beauty, movement, and artistic expression, you see?
Did you know that in the early years, way back in the 1800s, tutus were completely different? Think loose skirts, lots of flowing fabric, quite heavy too, nothing at all like today's elegant tutus.
But oh darling, time is a wondrous thing and with each passing era, the tutu has evolved! From the late 1800s onward, with the rise of Romanticism in ballet, tutus went from those bulky things to these delicate creations with flowing, shorter skirts.
But darling, things change even more in the 20th century, with fashion influencing every aspect of our lives! The mid 20th century was the golden age of the modern tutu, all sleek and sophisticated lines, all thanks to ballet masters like Serge Lifar and George Balanchine. They took that beautiful design, made it more compact, gave it a structure, and the rest, well, you know, history darling. It changed the game completely, it was a turning point!
This time period in ballet is what I call, the era of “The Little Black Tutu”, think "Giselle" for example, the perfect example of a classic black tutu that I adored, just as much as the long romantic white tutus from the late 1800s. I even went to see “Giselle” with my Mum and Gran on the 28th January in London that very year! We travelled down by train of course - such a treat! My gran and I wore our pink matching outfits and you would have heard our little clicky heels from all across Victoria station - a whole dance floor was just there in the middle of the concourse! And that is exactly what it is like at a theatre performance, just the right mixture of graceful movement, with the joy of shopping - my two most favourite things!
Here’s a little more fun history for you: on 28th January 1997, the tutu was just starting to make its mark outside the confines of the dance floor! That year, there were many talented ballet dancers who became internationally renowned! And the tutu? Oh darling! Well it just spread across all kinds of performance art and the public was obsessed! Even pop stars and musical artists were beginning to wear it as part of their costume design. What’s even more exciting, is that there’s this growing movement where young ballerinas are actually styling the tutu for streetwear.
And the tutus? They weren't just getting more modern, but there were so many innovative ideas being tried, using layers of silk, tulle, feathers, glitter, even sequins! I loved sequins! It was all so new! I’m pretty sure this period had a lasting impact on the ballet world today. In fact, a huge influence on why pink is my favorite colour. The iconic pink ballerina tutus worn in ballets, like the "Sleeping Beauty", I adored the softness and femininity, and they were absolutely perfect. Pink is just so feminine and it goes perfectly with a ballet tutu, in my humble opinion, of course. It’s absolutely perfect! But hey, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below, we could really have a fabulous discussion about tutu colors – or perhaps even have our own ballet competition with each person wearing their most iconic tutu? Just imagine, my darling!
*To end today’s post, remember the Tutu Tuesday rule: *
When in doubt, always, always, always, put on your pink tutu! 💖💖💖**
**Well, that's all for today’s #TutuTuesday! If you liked what you've seen today, leave a comment down below and let me know what you thought!
Don't forget to follow my blog at www.pink-tutu.com and I’ll see you here, my dear darling, next Tuesday for our next dance through ballet history!
Lots of love from me, your favorite ballerina blogger, Emma 💖💋 💕**
P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @EmmaPinkTutu for all the latest tutu fashion, news and fun events in the ballet world!
