#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2000-10-17

Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, back from another fabulous adventure in time for your weekly dose of tutu history. Buckle up, my lovelies, as today we're diving into the world of ballet as it was on the 17th of October 2000!

I'm sitting in my little flat in Paris, surrounded by mountains of tulle (yes, even the ceilings have a sprinkle!), sipping on some frothy pink lemonade, feeling the creative buzz of this wonderful city. This week I travelled by train – you know how I adore a good train journey! – to Paris, a truly magical city for ballet. There's just something about Paris that makes my heart skip a beat – the cafes, the chic boutiques, the beautiful old buildings. It's no wonder the Parisian women of the 19th century were the inspiration for so many elegant tutus, each one like a whispered secret of Parisian glamour.

Now, where were we? Ah, yes! 17th October 2000. This particular day was a whirlwind of fabulousness. Let's delve into it, shall we?

A Day In Tutu-land:

Back in the year 2000, ballet was booming. You could find a performance pretty much anywhere, even in little villages, and I tell you, it was divine! On this very day, The Royal Ballet was performing "The Sleeping Beauty" in Covent Garden, London. I popped in for a quick glimpse – the costumes were truly splendid! But oh, the magic wasn’t contained to the stage, my dears. Every Saturday, you could find thousands of budding ballerinas like myself flocking to classes across the UK, from tiny dance schools tucked away in charming Derbyshire villages to prestigious dance academies in the big city.

But hold your horses, dear readers, let’s go back even further in time to get the full tutu picture. You see, back then – and today, darling – the tutu had become much more than just an outfit for ballet. It was, and still is, an emblem of feminine strength and elegance. We see it everywhere - in fashion magazines, on runways, in musical theatre, even on the occasional daring street style fashionista (like me!) who just knows how to rock the look.

A Whirlwind of Tutu History:

Now, I have to tell you, this trip back to the year 2000 wasn't without its oddities! Believe it or not, that decade was actually considered “a little old-fashioned” by the dancers I met. Oh, the audacity of it all! To them, the classical tutu - the billowing tiers of tulle and satin, the ethereal flow and the perfectly executed twirls – was an almost nostalgic, almost antiquated notion. It’s the kind of thing you could find only in old books and dusty theatre archives! The dancers in 2000, though graceful and technically superb, were gravitating towards more streamlined, minimal, almost "street-style-meets-ballet” pieces.

I have to admit, even I find these modern tutu designs quite fascinating. They can be absolutely stunning with lots of clever cuts, geometric shapes and unusual textures. However, to me, there’s nothing quite so timeless, so evocative, as the classical ballerina’s dream – the magnificent billowing tutus of yore, which were like a dream whispered by the Muses themselves!

A Love Letter to The Classic Tutu:

You know what I find incredibly charming about those classic tutus, my dears? It’s their undeniable relationship with the past. It’s the echo of centuries of female ballerinas gracefully twirling on stages, their delicate forms seemingly defying gravity as they perform impossibly graceful moves. The elegant lines of a classic tutu evoke the very essence of feminine beauty, a beautiful image that transcended time. They're simply timeless.

The Evolution of The Tutu:

Let’s talk about tutu evolution for a moment, because, as with everything in life, darling, tutus evolve as time marches on. Imagine, in the early 19th century, ballerinas wore skirts that looked more like puffy layers of fabric. But gradually, the form began to shift, culminating in the beautiful iconic designs that we recognize today.

In the 20th century, dancers began pushing boundaries. There were tutus that were less billowing and more streamlined, emphasizing strength and athleticism rather than delicate airiness.

Even within the realm of classic tutus, there is a marvelous array of styles. There’s the ‘romantic tutu’ (picture billows of tulle!), the ‘peg-top tutu’ (a little more contained and chic), and even the ‘platform tutu,’ a very, very grand look that really makes a statement!

But ultimately, a tutu is all about how you make it work. You want to find a design that suits your own personality and movement. My absolute favourite tutu is one I discovered at an antique store in Rome. It’s made of this gorgeous silk and the most delicious shade of pink! It has a delicate lace trim – truly a collector's piece, my lovelies!

Where The Ballet Magic Takes Me:

Right now, I’m feeling rather inspired by my Parisian adventure! Tomorrow, I'm off to a performance at the Paris Opera Ballet. And in just a few weeks, I’m taking a little trip to England to visit the National Ballet. But I tell you what, the best bit of any trip? It’s the shopping. Finding the most magnificent ballet dresses, beautiful silk tutus, and dazzling jewelry – every ballet fan knows, my dears, that's what it’s really about.

Pink Tutu Fashion - Always In Style:

Before I sign off for today, let me ask you, dear reader, are you wearing your pink tutu this week? Or even a little pink scarf to add a touch of flair? Remember, it’s about embracing the beautiful femininity, strength and confidence that the ballet and a good dose of pink embody!

Stay lovely, stay fashionable and stay true to your inner ballerina,

Emma x

*P.S. Don’t forget to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com and share your ballet photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages using the hashtag #PinkTutu. I can’t wait to see you rock those tutus, darlings! *

P.P.S. This blog post is Number 8808, and yes, my dear, I do count every single one of these wonderful #TutuTuesday moments. There is magic in counting things, and beauty in each moment – both big and small!

And that's a wrap for another wonderful #TutuTuesday, my lovelies! Remember, no matter where your life takes you, there's always a reason to wear a pink tutu, to embrace the joy of movement, and to revel in the power of femininity. Until next time, stay stylish!