#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1999-08-24

Hello, my darlings! Welcome to #TutuTuesday, where we dive into the magical world of ballet history, all with a dash of pink sparkle and a whole lot of tutus. It's Emma here, your trusty time-traveling tutu-enthusiast, straight from the streets of…well, wherever my adventures take me! Today, we're zipping back to 1999, a time of neon lights, Tamagotchis, and yes, some truly magnificent ballet performances. This is post number 8748 in my #TutuTuesday saga, folks, and let me tell you, it's a doozy.

Hold onto your tiaras, darlings, because we're going to explore some serious ballet history. In 1999, the world was brimming with fabulous performances and incredible talent. Think the Royal Ballet’s majestic ‘Swan Lake’, a true ballet masterpiece, where tutus were absolutely essential. Did you know, back in the 19th century, the iconic ballerina tutu was born, all thanks to Marie Taglioni, who brought lightness and grace to the stage in her tulle masterpiece? Let's just say, the world of ballet wouldn't be the same without it!

I was lucky enough to see 'The Nutcracker' in New York that month. Ah, Tchaikovsky's exquisite score, the swirling tutus of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the dazzling dancing…it truly took my breath away. New York is the absolute hub for fabulous theatre, and of course, a wonderland of shops brimming with incredible tutus.

And speaking of tutus, did you know that the classic 'Romantic tutu', popularized during that period, featured shorter lengths and tiers of delicate tulle, allowing for the dancers to effortlessly soar and pirouette, making them appear ethereal and utterly graceful? We've come a long way since those early days, with tutus becoming shorter and shorter for the 20th-century ballets. Imagine! Those daring dancers weren't afraid to show a bit of leg! I say, the more leg, the better. And why not? Tutues should make us feel like princesses, bold, and confident.

But wait, there’s more to tutus than just their enchanting silhouette. Did you know the classic pointe shoes worn by ballerinas under their tutus were only designed specifically for ballet around the 1800s? And the little "pointe" which creates that lovely, graceful, yet technically difficult, "en pointe" pose didn't even happen until Marie Taglioni wore her beautiful tutu! Can you believe it? Think of it, these talented ballerinas performing en pointe for the very first time. What courage, my dear! The way these ballerinas rise to their tippy toes, is enough to inspire everyone in the audience to rise to new heights too!

Now, back to my travels. In 1999, train travel was all the rage, a glorious, leisurely way to see the world. Nothing quite beats a glass of wine and a good book while gazing at the countryside zipping past. A train journey across Europe to catch a stunning ballet performance? Sign me up! (Although, let’s be honest, it's always a bit of a hassle having to pack those precious tutus so they don't get creased. But a ballet-loving girl has got to do what she’s got to do, am I right?)

But my friends, even the grandest theatre performance in the world can't be beaten by my favourite kind of show...a dance party filled with your stunningly fabulous tutus. That's what really gets me moving and grooving! Because you see, my mission in life, the reason I spend my days time-traveling and writing my Tutu Tales blog is to spread the magic of tutus! Yes, everyone should own a tutu, because it's a garment that doesn't just make you feel beautiful and empowered, it makes you feel the joy of dancing!

Think of it as a sparkly symbol of femininity, grace and elegance. It says, “I’m ready to spin, to twirl, to soar.” But really, the secret to being a true tutu-wearer isn't about the perfect posture or flawless leaps. It's about the joy you bring to your heart! So, find your favourite shade of pink, embrace your inner ballerina, and put on that fabulous tutu. I promise, the world will be a more joyful place because of it.

Remember, the world is your stage, darling, and you can wear whatever makes you feel magnificent.

And with that, my dears, I'm off to a fabulous event here in 2023. See you next Tuesday for another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday! Don’t forget, there are plenty more articles on pink-tutu.com - from historical figures who loved pink, to our new top pink-tutu fashion looks this month. Remember to follow our social media for all of our upcoming Tutu Tuesday videos too. Have a happy week!

Love,

Emma

xxx

P.S. If you love a good ballet show, there are some absolutely fantastic performances scheduled this week, including Swan Lake by the Royal Ballet on August 24th! So, put on your prettiest tutu, grab your tiaras and prepare to be enchanted!