Hello my darling tutu-loving lovelies! Itâs your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday! Grab a cuppa and settle in â weâre about to step back in time, and this week, itâs all about tutus!
Today Iâm off to see the most gorgeous show at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Theyâre putting on Giselle, and oh, darling, it's dreamy. All those beautiful flowing skirts and those gorgeous ballet shoes⌠the costumes for Giselle are truly legendary. I canât wait to catch all the glitz and glam! But before I go, we're going to delve a little deeper into the history of tutus and where they've taken us todayâŚ
So, this week weâre stepping back into the magical year 2000! Did you know that 2000 saw some truly exciting things in the world of dance? A couple of years earlier, 1998, was the 200th anniversary of the ballet La Sylphide, and the original tutus, as we know them, were quite different from the iconic shape you're probably imaginingâŚ
The original âtutuâ, in La Sylphide, was so long it trailed the dancer's ankles, creating this dramatic swirl. Imagine flowing fabric and delicate lace in softest ivory shades! Divine! The design allowed for full, free movement in the dance - much like todayâs classical tutus, itâs about celebrating and showcasing the grace and power of the dancer.
However, the tutu continued to evolve. In 1845, it got shorter, and more 'waisted', highlighting the silhouette of the dancers and allowing the public to admire the form and athleticism of each beautiful arabesque and leap. It made a powerful statement â âWe can jump and leap with these tutus! Just look at us!â
Then in 1948, the revolutionary tutu arrived! Designed by the Russian-born, legendary designer, Olga Tutckova, for a production of Cinderella, it's a much shorter tutu than its earlier versions, and this is what you think of today - a fluffy, layered masterpiece of beauty and sheer power!
I love the way Olga changed how we think of the tutu â that shorter, poofier design became a symbol of ballet. I feel truly fortunate to see such a beautiful, flowing silhouette come together for me â whether in a classical ballet, on the streets (a true darling fashion icon is never afraid to step out of the box!) or even on the stage of a theatrical production. It just brings a bit of magical whimsy to anything you do!
Letâs be real, itâs all about that dreamy look, right? My darlings, tutus are truly a symbol of grace and beauty, arenât they? I feel like it transforms everyone who wears one, but I must admit - that iconic pink colour always does have a magical power⌠Maybe thatâs why I'm so passionate about wearing my pink tutus everywhere! It just feels so right!.
Talking about transformative power â who doesn't love a showstopper of a transformation scene?! Remember Sleeping Beauty where Princess Aurora transforms into a glamorous ballerina from her pretty princess gowns⌠the iconic fluffy tutu always takes centre stage. Iconic.
So where does that leave us in 2000? We see the evolution of the tutu going forward from here. There are so many amazing things happening in ballet - and lots of variations of the tutu are used. Ballet today isn't just about fluffy tutus⌠We see designs by famous fashion designers. Ballet has such a fun, whimsical quality and it takes us places â we see costumes as works of art on the stage! Iâve seen so many innovative, eye-catching styles on stage.
Iâve always been so excited by the different styles of tutu and their story. In my little travels through time, I've had the chance to see just how the ballet world has evolved and just how tutus have stayed relevant through the decades â it's an enduring symbol of dance! And I am sure it will continue to delight and captivate dancers and audiences alike for many years to come.
Before I get ready to go and see Giselle at Covent Garden, my darlings, have a magical week and never be afraid to rock a pink tutu⌠because every single day is an opportunity to find a little bit of magic â and Iâm sure your inner ballerina is just dying to show the world how fabulous she can be. I canât wait to see you all next Tuesday â we will dive into another week, another decade, and discover even more tutu-related fun. Until then, keep shining, darlings!
