#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2002-01-22

Hello, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back again with another #TutuTuesday journey through history!

Today, we're hopping on the Orient Express (in my darling pink tutu, naturally!) to take a trip back to 22nd January, 2002. Ooh, that year was a blast! Can you believe we're already 21 years away from that delightful date?

Imagine the excitement! I was at the Bolshoi in Moscow, gazing at the dancers, absolutely mesmerized. There's nothing like seeing a live performance, it really puts the magic in the air! I spent the rest of the day flitting around Moscow's fashion shops, soaking up the amazing trends of the day. So chic! Oh, and of course, I snapped up a gorgeous pair of pointy-toe ballet pumps. They really added a dash of that Russian flavour to my style, don't you think?

But enough about my fashion adventures - let's talk about our favourite topic, shall we? Tutùs!

What Was Happening in the Tutu World on 22nd January, 2002?

Well, imagine this, darlings! Back in 2002, tutùs were still as popular as ever. Just imagine that, folks! And we know that the iconic ballerina outfits we know and love have an utterly fascinating history. Today, let’s have a little trip back through the decades to learn about our beloved tutu's history and discover why it is such a cherished garment, even 21 years ago!

Did you know that the tutu is a relatively new addition to ballet's wardrobe?

Yes, our tutu was only first introduced in the late 18th century, specifically around 1781. But talk about making a grand entrance, right? It totally changed the way ballet looked, introducing a new sense of grace, fluidity, and elegance. It all started with Marie Allard in 1781 when she was dancing in the Parisian Opéra, she was the first dancer to take on this groundbreaking fashion! You could say Marie revolutionized ballet’s costume world in an instant, setting the stage (pun intended) for the tutus we know and love today.

For those wondering what all this fuss is about, back then the costumes were really… ahem.. cumbersome. Think heavy brocades and velvet, definitely not suitable for grand jetés or graceful pirouettes! It was so hard to move with them that even the men were wearing knee-length trousers! Oh, what a sight that must have been! Can you imagine trying to dance a pas de deux in those heavy clothes?

The change to tutus was literally a breath of fresh air. Gone were the bulky clothes, and in came the Romantic Ballet which brought lightness and fluidity to the stage! It totally changed the way ballerinas moved!

There’s a bit of drama surrounding Marie’s famous moment - it was thought that the dancer was actually inspired by the tutu worn by a Neapolitan dancer named Carolina Rosati.** But, in my opinion, history tends to forget about women and focus on men. Let's not get stuck in that, ladies! We need to celebrate ALL the powerful, stylish women who changed the face of dance.

Let's take a peek into how those earlier tutùs differed from the tutùs of today…

1. Romantic Era Tutus: 1830 - 1840: Imagine tutùs like flowing skirts with light materials and an extravagant feel, that’s the image of tutùs in the Romantic Era! These lovely things were inspired by the romantic period which we'll discuss in future posts but were long in length, with layered silk or tulle.

2. Classical Tutus: 1840 – 1900: * You’ve probably heard of “The Nutcracker”? Now, imagine beautiful ballerinas in elegant tutus in this stunning ballet - it's a perfect picture of classical ballet! They’re very similar to the ones you see today, and for good reason. As ballet’s evolution continued, the Romantic tutu was then given a makeover by *Marius Petipa, the brilliant mind who helped solidify the tutu’s presence in ballet and developed those tutus we recognise today with a closer fitted bodice! A stunning moment for the world of ballet!

3. The 20th Century: A Tutu Explosion! In the 20th century, the tutu blossomed! We're looking at exciting developments, like the ‘Classical tutu’, perfect for performances and very practical, and then we had the introduction of the ‘Tutu à la Française’ - think layered tulle which creates such an impressive effect. A stunning visual feast on the stage! Oh, the joy!

And if that's not enough, then there’s also the ‘Demi-Tutu’ which is so beautifully simple, with a full-length skirt, perfect for making that iconic ballet leap.

It’s been a magnificent journey! From bulky and restricting garments to lightweight tutus that highlight the fluidity and elegance of ballet! Each style has its own character and beauty, and I'm grateful that these are so central to our ballet heritage. They help us showcase such artistry and grace!

So, where were we? Oh, yes, we were right here at the Bolshoi, taking in a magnificent performance and swooning over the tutus! Remember, in 2002, ballet was still an absolute sensation! And the love for tutus had never waned. It's really quite fascinating, and makes me wonder what we'll be saying about the tutu’s style in the years to come!

Of course, while ballet might not be everyone’s passion, I like to think that it has a bit of a universal appeal. That elegant, flowing line of the tutu! Those ethereal swirls of fabric, it's pure poetry, wouldn’t you agree?

Here's to celebrating this amazing little garment, its history, and its impact on ballet history! I know my life wouldn't be nearly as colourful without it! I think I need to pop out for a tutu shopping spree, and grab some ballet shoes… The fashion world just beckons, darling!

Until next #TutuTuesday, don't forget to sprinkle a little tutu magic into your week! Keep your pink tutus out there for the world to see!

And oh, please share your ballet adventures with me in the comments below. Did you see any incredible ballet performances?

Remember, it's a pink tutu revolution out there, ladies!

Your #TutuTuesday Time Traveler,

Emma

Website: www.pink-tutu.com