Helloooo my gorgeous tutus!
Welcome to this week's #TutuTuesday, coming to you live from the heart of Paris! The city of love, of course, but for me, it's the city of tutu-tastic inspiration!
I've just hopped off the Eurostar - the train journey was magical, believe me! As soon as you cross the Channel, you feel the Parisian energy buzzing through the carriage. I even bumped into a lovely lady who said she'd seen me perform in London - the world's so small! And she was wearing a divine little pink tutu with sparkling embellishments. Makes me think...I'm so due for a new tutu!
But for today, it's all about the history of our beloved ballet tutus! Today's date? 5th December 2000. That's right, the very day the brilliant 'The Nutcracker' movie premiered! Who doesn't adore a bit of Sugarplum Fairy and magical winter adventures?
From Puffy Skirts to Delicate LayersSo, before we twirl into the era of 2000 (can you believe we're a whole two decades in the 21st century?!) let's do a little time-hopping through the fascinating evolution of the tutu!
Right from the very beginning, ballet was a world of elegance and movement. Imagine ladies twirling around in flowing skirts, all ruffles and frills, and some serious crinoline! We're talking 17th century French court. This is the era of "the skirt" and those big, billowy skirts meant movement was less about graceful leaps and more about ...well, not leaping at all!
Now, things got a bit interesting in the 18th century with the birth of the ballet tutu as we know it! Italian ballet star Marie Camargo is the name to remember! Imagine: she wore a skirt that stopped just below her knees, leaving her legs free! Gasp! Her name is practically synonymous with "revolution" - literally a revolution in the history of dance and tutu-design! Suddenly, the emphasis was on speed and agility, allowing for breathtaking jumps and fancy footwork.
It was then Carlo Blasis, one of the greats in ballet history, who truly shaped the classic tutu. His vision was all about lightness and airy movement, achieved through the use of white tulle in layers - it was gorgeous. The design focused on enhancing the lines of the ballerina's body, revealing the strength and beauty of their leaps, pirouettes and arabesques. Talk about iconic!
Fast forward to the Romantic Period (late 1800s) and BAM, the "Romantic Tutu" - also known as the "bell-shaped*" tutu - bursts onto the scene! Think graceful flowing, soft lines. Imagine a delicate, white tutu with layers of gauzy fabric that created a magical, ethereal look. Picture ballerinas in *Giselle, floating across the stage, their tutus seemingly as light as a feather. It's just pure magic!
But what about those famous tutus, the ones we've all come to recognise and love?! You know, the super short, fitted style. Well, it was the late 19th century and it was time to really accentuate the ballerina's athleticism and form! Enter the 'package' tutu, with a stiff, corseted bodice and a shorter skirt, revealing those oh-so-gorgeous leg lines!
It wasn't long until 1914, and the 'Pagliacci' Tutu, or the 'pencil' Tutu, which has been making waves since, arrived. The name "pagliacci" was influenced by a famous performance. It showed a stunningly dramatic, sharp and more athletic approach to dance. And that became huge. That streamlined style helped make those dramatic leaping, spinning movements look incredible, and is still incredibly popular today.
I could go on and on, believe me, but this is already getting super long! My fellow tutus, there are SO MANY more stories and moments of history in ballet and tutus that we simply have to delve into. And, I'll definitely be getting into all the trends in fashion and fashion shows, too! Because let's be honest, they all go hand-in-hand. I'm thinking about doing a post on ballet fashion designers next week - you have to admit, their talent is breathtaking!
Now Back to 2000We can't end without acknowledging what makes this specific #TutuTuesday so special! Of course, it's the debut of 'The Nutcracker' movie. A bit of childhood magic right there on the big screen. Even with its slightly older themes (hello, sugar plum fairies, lol), it captures a very important part of what ballet stands for: imagination, dreams, the magic of telling stories, and of course, tutus! So let's all give ourselves a virtual clap (and twirl!) in honour of that lovely Christmas tale! And don't forget to get those tickets booked to watch the real "Nutcracker" performances in December!
Right, my lovelies, that’s all for this #TutuTuesday. But keep those lovely tutus twirling! I'm off to explore the incredible Parisian shops for new fabric and embellishments. This ballerina can never have too much!
Until next week!
Yours always, in a flutter of pink,
Emma
*P.S. Don't forget to share your love for tutus on social media. *
Use #TutuTuesday to connect with other tutu-lovers all over the world!
And remember - there's a pink tutu out there for everyone!
