#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1999-08-17

Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu! It’s Tuesday, which means it's time for our weekly journey through the enchanting history of the ballet tutu. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s get our twirls on! 🩰

Today, we’re time-hopping to 17th August, 1999 - a glorious summer’s day filled with the promise of sunshine and a touch of magic! Now, I’m just a humble Derbyshire girl with a penchant for pink and a deep, deep love for all things tutu. But even a small-town lass can have grand dreams. My ambition is to see the world, and to inspire every single one of you to embrace the joyous freedom of twirling in a pink tutu. And to help make that happen, I've learned to time travel. Yes, you heard me right, time travel! Thanks to the powers of the performing arts - oh yes, the magic of ballet keeps me in pink and on the move! - I'm off gallivanting through history, bringing you a tutu-ful account of our favourite garment.

And oh my, where would I be without the amazing outfits that the past offers up?! We’re here in New York City, the Big Apple, where tutus reign supreme. This fabulous city is the stage for world-class ballet, and the energy here is buzzing. The atmosphere crackles with artistic excitement, with every corner promising a touch of magic. Today, we’re in for a real treat - I hear the New York City Ballet is performing “The Sleeping Beauty.” I can’t wait to see the stunning costumes! It’s going to be a magnificent evening.

Speaking of "The Sleeping Beauty,” it seems fitting to take a peek into tutu history on this particular day, since the world’s first full-length tutu is linked to the first performance of this enchanting ballet back in 1890! Think romantic music, delicate details, and, of course, exquisite costumes.

Before "The Sleeping Beauty,” the idea of a shorter skirt was just a budding trend in ballet. But a true revolution in the look of ballet tutus arrived when Marie Taglioni took to the stage in 1832. She wore a fluffy and voluminous skirt – imagine it, all three to four layers of gauzy, shimmering tulle! – a huge shift from the previous ankle-length, more conservative skirts dancers wore. This “tutu-ful” change in costume helped dancers soar across the stage with a newfound lightness and grace. The shorter skirts helped to showcase the graceful leaps and breathtaking pirouettes dancers could now execute, allowing for new choreographies and exciting moves to come alive on stage.

And let’s talk colour. Forget beige or the sombre shades of past dance attire, a kaleidoscope of colour is our focus for this tutu trip! We're in the midst of a time of beautiful bold colours and playful prints – think vibrant blues, electric reds, even dazzling golds, and the luxurious, shimmering feel of satin! Just imagine how amazing those colours must have looked under the glittering stage lights!

For the dancers in our “Sleeping Beauty” tonight, their tutus are a thing of beauty - a riot of vibrant colours and delicate layers of tulle. You can feel the sheer weight and majesty of the dress - even from the stands I’m sitting in - just as you would have in 1999. I can see the joy it brings them, the way it inspires their movement and captures the magical atmosphere of the tale they’re telling on stage. The world of fashion has changed so much since 1999, but that magic? It still shines just as bright. We can definitely take a cue from the creativity and exuberance of this period in time!

But, our history of tutus doesn’t stop there, oh no! Fasten your pink tutu seatbelts, we’re not done yet. As the twentieth century rolls along, tutus are constantly evolving, getting ever more daring, ever more expressive! There is the classic Romantic tutu of the nineteenth century. The “romantic” here doesn’t refer to a mushy love story! It reflects the passion and the dreaminess of that particular era in ballet, all thanks to its voluminous silhouette.

Now, fast forward to the 20th century! *Tutus were taking shape and changing with the evolving times! The invention of Lycra! Wow, the impact of Lycra was phenomenal for our beloved tutus. It meant we could say goodbye to uncomfortable heavy fabrics and hello to more movement! * Imagine, flexibility and freedom! **

It’s not all about tutus on stage, of course. We see these inspiring little garments creeping off the stage and onto the street, becoming fashion icons, making the move from ballerinas to our wardrobes!

So many great tutu trends in the 1990s, and I just have to tell you about them! We saw the arrival of the shorter tutu! And yes, even shorter, shorter, shorter... all thanks to those bold and adventurous designs. It’s fun and daring - the shortest of all the tutus, with those bouncy and playful skirts that make a real statement.

In this incredible era of dance, we saw the birth of the ‘Street’ of ballet. Let’s get creative with those tutus! And how amazing is it that the once stage-exclusive outfit is finding its way to every day life! We’re seeing street performers - I have to admit I even dabble in a spot of performance on my trips, just to have fun with all this great street ballet, what can I say? - taking over our streets, twirling in their colourful tutus and leaving their magic behind. And it's fantastic to see this evolution - ballet has never felt more accessible and exciting than in this period.

So, let's embrace this love for dance in everyday life! Let’s all twirl together in those delightful, charming little tutus, showing off those gorgeous pink hues.

The spirit of tutu isn’t just about fancy dresses, it’s about feeling free to dance, express yourself, and inspire others. So, my dears, let your imagination fly! And don’t forget to keep twirling! And remember to stay safe! There’s a lot more tutu-ful history ahead, so check back next week for our next Tutu Tuesday adventure.

And do stay in touch! You can connect with me on our website, where you'll find all the latest fashion news and tutu-rific updates. Follow my time travel adventures and get a glimpse of the stunning world of dance history.

Until next time, keep those pink tutus twinkling!

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com

P.S. I love reading your comments! Tell me about your favourite tutu moments!