Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident Tutu Queen, back for another whirl through the fascinating world of tutus! It's a glorious Tuesday morning here in, oh… New York? Yes, I’m back in the Big Apple after my lovely trip to Paris! You know how much I adore a trip across the channel – shopping for fab fabrics, enjoying delectable croissants, and watching stunning ballet productions. This time it was Giselle at the Paris Opera, truly magnificent!
But alas, my darling tutu-loving friends, this week, I must admit, my travels took a slightly unexpected turn. Let’s just say that it’s taken a bit of time for me to find my way back to present-day New York! Don’t worry though, it’s a story for another time…
So let's rewind back to September 8th, 1998. That's right, I found myself on this date (a Tuesday, just like today, coincidence?!) in… Derbyshire, England! My hometown! Imagine my joy, I haven’t been back in such a long time! My travels do take me to many curious and unexpected places but home is always a welcome sight. The fresh air, the Derbyshire countryside, even the accents… everything brings me such peace and a little slice of comfort. I just have to stop by my favourite little cafe in Matlock and buy a slice of Victoria sponge cake with a cup of builder’s tea!
Now, why is this date significant for my #TutuTuesday? Well, on this day back in '98, The Royal Ballet, the jewel of British ballet, premiered "Cinderella". A whimsical masterpiece created by the illustrious Frederick Ashton, the ballet featured stunning costumes, beautiful dancing, and a heartwarming story. I have such a deep affection for all things fairytale, and it made me wonder, how far back do our love affair with the ballet tutu and its beautiful form go?
Well, my dear tutubelles, our ballet tutus are quite a bit older than we think! Their roots are found deep within the history of ballet itself. They actually go right back to the 16th century in Italy. Can you imagine?
It all started with simple silk shirts worn by men who performed these elegant and elegant dance forms. Think tights and an early form of tunic. It’s difficult to say when this design morphed into a proper tutu, but as time went on the male ballet dancers moved further into lighter fabrics, more form-fitting attire to show off the body line and highlight movements.
It was during the time of the Romantic Ballet, around the 1830s, that the classic ballerina skirt we associate with the tutu became a major fixture. Marie Taglioni, a celebrated ballerina known for her grace and ethereal presence, played a key role in this transformation. She was famed for her role as a sylph in "La Sylphide". Imagine my awe when I first witnessed her performance at the Paris Opera in the 19th century - it was magical! She literally created the modern-day tutu.
In this era, the ballet tutu evolved into the soft and flowing garment we see today, designed to emphasise the ballerina's every move. A true work of art!
The romantic tutu was knee-length and soft, like a cloud of gossamer. This style became synonymous with ethereal elegance, allowing the dancer’s beauty to radiate as she glided across the stage. What's more, they were often crafted with stunning embellishments, creating intricate patterns of lace, beads, and sequins – truly a sight to behold.
And what would a ballet tutu be without its iconic pink hue? We associate ballet tutus with this colour so intrinsically and it’s actually an evolution of sorts.
Pink began gaining its ballerina association because the early tutu style, often white, would turn yellow with time. To counter the colour fade, pink hues were used in its design and became more prominent. Over the centuries it has become more ingrained into our association of ballet. A true ode to how the power of fashion works.
Fast-forward to the late 19th and 20th centuries, and the tutu became more than just a dance garment; it became a symbol. The tutu became an icon of femininity, a representation of dreams and grace, embodying both the grace of the ballet and the captivating beauty of womanhood.
Oh, but hold on my sweet dears! I almost forgot about the "long tutu", a slightly longer variant with multiple layers that debuted around 1905. It was often made with tulle and tulle-like fabrics – oh how much tulle I love! – giving it that voluminous and regal appearance. These long tutus added a magnificent sense of grandeur and became the staple of more dramatic performances, often associated with dramatic storytelling, which is always so thrilling!
Of course, over the years, ballet tutus have undergone their fair share of transformations to keep up with modern trends. Think contemporary and neo-classical dance styles - the tight-fitting leotards* with attached fabric panels or tucked skirts have come into their own as expressions of dance.
My favourite however, still remain the classical tutu. I'm drawn to their ethereal quality and, quite frankly, how magnificent they look! Imagine swirling gracefully in a symphony of tulle - I’m in heaven when I wear mine!
My darlings, the history of the tutu is rich and beautiful. Let’s give it a whirl in celebration!
I would love to know - what is your favourite kind of tutu?
If you fancy seeing one of these historical beauties, check out The Royal Ballet website to see what is showing and, oh, you know me, do treat yourselves to a performance in celebration. It’s an absolutely lovely treat that makes the most amazing time capsule adventure, and you can’t forget a tutu in a pinch when travelling, you just can’t. You may find yourself in need of some extra elegance to handle that Victorian ball you've suddenly stumbled into in your travels! Always wear a pink tutu!
As ever, darlings, you look wonderful! And keep your tutus on!
Much love,
Emma,
Your resident Tutu Queen!
xx
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