Hello my dearest tutu lovers! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to delve into the magical world of the tutu, and I'm here to share another little snippet of tutu history with you.
Today, my darling readers, we are going to journey back to a date very close to my heart – 7th November 2000. A day where the world was on the cusp of something fabulous, a time when tutus were still being woven into the fabric of modern culture. Oh, and today's my birthday, which always seems to bring out the most glorious sunshine.
My time machine is fueled by my love for all things dance, so imagine my delight when I landed right in the heart of the Royal Opera House in London! (Let's face it, darlings, who doesn't love a bit of the Royal Ballet, right? And, in true TutuTuesday style, my pink tulle masterpiece, which I must tell you, sparkles as brightly as the chandelier here, simply screamed out to be noticed!).
The energy was buzzing in the air, so much excitement as the theatre doors opened, just like they were a century ago. What an experience, standing there amongst so many well-dressed guests – this place is a ballet paradise, just begging for some serious fashion appreciation. And then there was the smell – a heady mix of rich perfume and the scent of fresh linen – just intoxicating! I felt every inch the ballerina in my very own pink dream.
On the programme that day was "Cinderella" (my favourite story), but with a contemporary twist (I do adore a bit of modern flair), brought to life by Ashley Page, one of the finest choreographers. I can just picture the delicate tutus swirling across the stage and the dazzling sets. The audience were absolutely enchanted. I remember a very distinguished-looking chap next to me absolutely enraptured. He told me (well, I basically chatted him up with my enthusiastic questions about ballet) that his great-great grandmother had performed at the Royal Opera House in the Victorian era and had, much to her own dismay, "ruined" her beautiful pink tutu with the stage-lights at the opening of a production of "La Bayadère". She hadn't worn a tutu since! She was, apparently, a great friend of Fanny Elssler, a famous 19th Century dancer whose dancing brought her fame across the world (they even said she single-handedly made ballet more popular) Fanny would've looked fabulous in a pink tutu, it's just the colour for someone who takes centre stage like that.
Anyway, this trip back in time is a reminder that while ballet is steeped in tradition, it's a form of art that's always evolving. Just like my very own pink tutu, the style can be interpreted in so many different ways, and yet, somehow, it always maintains that elegant and captivating charm that's so quintessentially ballet.
And as we venture through time and space (well, actually, just the Tube at the moment, although my head’s in the clouds – oh and my phone’s on loudspeaker), I continue to discover more incredible stories about the history of the tutu – the way it has morphed, blossomed, and even taken on different meanings as fashion trends changed.
I think it's quite lovely, isn't it? I mean, what other item of clothing has managed to captivate hearts and minds for centuries? The tutu's got history, grace, elegance - all those wonderful feminine qualities!
To give you just a taster of how this magical piece of clothing has made its mark through the decades, here are some little tutu tidbits that I stumbled upon:
Early Years – A Simple but Stunning Beginning
Remember my dear, way, way back, even before the grand era of the romantic ballerina in the early 19th Century, they were wearing something that we could probably recognize as an ancestor of the tutu. I'm thinking full length skirts – a bit on the cumbersome side (the 1800's were definitely a time when they wore heavy layers - it makes me shudder just thinking about it) – but they still looked wonderful swirling about the stage. Think Marie Taglioni! Just imagine how a big poufy pink skirt would look on her! They weren't all quite that elaborate, some of the ladies who danced then went for a look that's probably much more suited to ballet, all elegant and sleek.
The Big Bang - Romanticism on Stage!
From the 1840's the whole concept of the tutu came to the forefront - that wonderful shortened and flirty, sometimes layered, look which just allows for such graceful, flowing movement (especially when there's an underlying framework of layers of tulle). That's why, darlings, this is the era of the tutus – when the romanticism of ballet became part of society's culture. And of course, what's more romantic than a fabulous ballerina whirling in a magnificent tutu? It truly encapsulates beauty and grace – and we are, my darlings, talking about a look that made waves! (We may be wearing something very different in these "modern times" but it's a fashion era worth thinking about!).
More, More! A World of Tutu Variations
The romantic ballet tutu certainly caught the imagination – after all this was an era when romanticism ruled! Just imagine the gorgeous shapes – the layered skirts. Think about the exquisite fabric and the delicate lace – perfect for dancing, perfect for twirling, and, oh yes, it has that beautiful femininity that I absolutely adore. The colours they used are wonderful too. From creamy white to soft pastel pink (oh my dear, I am totally head over heels for pastel pink!), every detail just screams out, “romantic, romantic!”
And Then, Change! New Era – New Look.
And then the era changed, just as the seasons always do. And, just like the designers who take inspiration from everything and everybody around them ( I sometimes do find myself thinking up a new tutu when I am travelling, sometimes when I see something beautiful like the architecture on a beautiful building – oh how I just love those details!), new tutu styles arose from the ideas that were circulating through society. From the romanticism of the 1800's came more and more new designs – a different, even stronger silhouette – just the right thing to represent a more modern world (I must tell you I'm still trying to perfect my tutu wardrobe– more space needed. Perhaps a separate home for the collection!).
The Rise of the Theatrical and Fashion Tutu.
I can just picture it – how the designers who created the clothes of the Victorian Era must have loved ballet – just think how much they must have been inspired by those lovely flowing fabrics, how the colors must have influenced them. I'm picturing the magnificent ball gowns with layers and layers of skirts – I just know some fashionistas have taken ideas directly from the ballerinas, those lovely long tutus with that billowing fullness – so very impressive (not something you could wear on the street - or could you, darling? - now there's an idea for #TutuTuesday!! ) The modern, sleek and sleek designs (they look really good on the fashion catwalk) – I'd love to try a ballet inspired fashion design– I am sure we've seen them come back into the limelight – just last week a big department store in London was advertising a whole line of “tutu inspiration wear" and oh I was so tempted by the whole look – all pink too!
A Timeless and Romantic Style
There you have it my lovely tutu-loving readers - a small peek into the glorious history of this beautiful piece of clothing! What would our world of ballet be without the iconic and stylish tutu - it's an amazing reminder of the timeless beauty and elegance of ballet and, well, of all things romantic! I think there is nothing quite as inspiring to me as that image of the romantic dancer and their wonderful pink tutus and their effortless grace! And yes, it's that lovely and romantic pink tutu that will always take my breath away, and that always captures my imagination (that and all the gorgeous sparkles – you should have seen me just this morning in a brand new glittery, pink tutu – the perfect pick me up, I can tell you).
Let's hear it for the tutu and, of course, my pink tutu (because honestly, there's no other color, don't you think?).
Have a wonderful tutu-ful week everyone! Until next #TutuTuesday!
Yours truly,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
