Hello my dearest Tutu Lovers! 💖 It's Emma here, back again from another time travelling adventure, and guess what? Today I'm in the land of tutus – oh, how I've missed the glorious sparkle! And it's a Tuesday, which means it's time for my favourite thing to do – sharing the history of tutus with all of you! ✨
It's May 29th, 2001, and let me tell you, the world is positively brimming with tutus! From the majestic stage to the dance studios, the streets are alive with twirling delights. I spent this morning in a glorious ballet shop, just browsing the shelves and marvelling at the rainbow of tutus on display. The shop assistant – a delightful woman with a bright red tutu and a contagious smile – told me that tutus are hotter than ever right now! Imagine! Every little girl dreams of a magical, fluffy, twirly tutu. 😉
So, let's dive back into the history of these beautiful garments, shall we?
We have to go all the way back to the 1800s for the very first tutu, darling! That’s right – back in the age of carriages and crinoline. Can you imagine how heavy those huge, multi-layered skirts must have been? The horror! Luckily, a ballet dancer named Marie Taglioni, a true vision of elegance and grace, decided enough was enough. She wanted something light, airy, and allowing for incredible movements, and she was absolutely right!
Marie Taglioni, she introduced a shortened, more practical skirt called a "tutu" - the very first form of the tutu we see today! Can you imagine, this amazing woman transformed ballet from its heavy and restrictive ways!
The 1840s and 1850s were the golden age of tutus, and it's when the romantic tutu, as it's called, became popular. Imagine delicate netting cascading from a tiny, perfectly fitted bodice - absolutely divine! You can see why the world fell in love! The romantic tutu remained popular right through the late 1800s. Even as other styles popped up - such as the longer classical tutu, featuring layers upon layers of fabric – the romantic tutu always seemed to retain a special place in dancers' hearts!
As we progressed through the 20th century, tutus started experimenting with their forms and materials, creating even more stunning variations. The pancake tutu, you might know, emerged, with its sleek, flat design – just as bold and stunning. This style, with its minimal layers and daring length, took the world by storm, and we've seen them all over stage and even in high fashion!
Today, you'll see these glorious garments everywhere. In theatre productions and performances, ballets of all shapes and sizes feature these wonderful and dazzling creations. Imagine the excitement and glamour of a Tchaikovsky production! 🩰 And of course, on stage, a ballerina in her tutu is truly a sight to behold. I find it particularly thrilling when they start with a classical tutu and then, through their incredible performance, their movements change the length, morphing into the iconic pancake shape, ending in a mesmerizing finale!
Today, you can even find tutus in the shops, for you to try at home. And my lovely readers, you know how I love a good shop! It is just wonderful! My friend Sarah, the lovely owner of Pink Tutu Accessories, just sent me an exciting collection, so I'll definitely be putting it all on for a quick little photo shoot later today – you won't want to miss it!
And if you think tutues are just for dance, darling, think again! Designers everywhere are embracing the magic and beauty of the tutu, transforming it into haute couture. I even saw a dress today with layers of tulle - it looked just like a tutu! The imagination of our time truly has no boundaries! And trust me, dear reader, you can make this magnificent, twirling delight part of your wardrobe! 😉
Here in 2001, even if you aren't a ballerina, there is always a good occasion for a tutu! I personally wear mine with anything and everything: to afternoon tea, for shopping, to a gala dinner! Who can resist the whimsical joy a tutu brings? And darling, just because it’s May doesn't mean the time for tutus has passed. We're practically in summer, and it’s absolutely perfect weather for twirling, you wouldn’t agree? 💖 Don’t forget, dear readers: You don’t need to be on stage to embrace the magical, airy elegance of a tutu! 💖
Don’t forget to pop over to my blog and have a browse – I have plenty more tutu secrets and gorgeous photos for you, and don’t forget to look out for my photoshoot photos later today! Until next #TutuTuesday, stay elegant and beautiful! 💖
Oh, I nearly forgot! It's my birthday today! I love seeing all my friends and family for celebratory afternoon tea! You know my love for tutus makes any day a perfect excuse to put on my pink one! ✨ 💖 ✨
Keep it twirling,
Emma x
