Hello, my gorgeous darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink is always in bloom and tutus are the only acceptable attire. Today is #TutuTuesday, and we're taking a little trip down memory lane to explore the captivating history of the ballet tutu. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's twirl!
You might be wondering, Emma, why are we travelling back in time for this blog? Well, let me tell you, dear readers, there’s nothing like experiencing history first hand to truly understand how fashion, especially dance fashion, has evolved. I just happened to be having a lovely little dance at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg last week and while I was admiring the exquisite ballet dancers’ tutus on stage I was inspired to pop back in time to discover the roots of the stunning outfits they wore!
Of course, we can’t talk about the ballet tutu without mentioning its origin – the Romantic era. It’s as if the world had suddenly decided it was time for a graceful evolution from the long, heavy, and cumbersome gowns of previous times. Suddenly, we have beautiful, flowing tulles and graceful, shorter skirts revealing dancers’ legs! Such freedom and a beautiful sense of lightness. Now, how exciting was that?!
The iconic bell-shaped tutu made its grand debut during this era! Remember my darling, the 19th century! Think delicate floral motifs, a touch of sweetness, and just a hint of Victoriana. The sheer loveliness of these tutus just makes my heart sing!
And who can forget the magnificent Marie Taglioni? She's considered one of the earliest ballerina goddesses and quite possibly the ultimate tutu pioneer. Let's just say she did the ultimate "Tutu-tual" for the ballet world! You simply can't imagine ballet today without the wonderful and lasting legacy of Marie Taglioni, my darling!
Today's tutu, however, is much more than just a lovely, flowing skirt! It is a masterpiece, a wearable work of art, crafted with layers of tulle and often incorporating stunning embellishments. Oh, my sweet! Those intricate beading patterns, shimmering sequins, and sparkling crystals… it's almost too much to handle, even for a tutu-obsessed gal like me.
And now for the truly exciting part – the trip! I am a little giddy with excitement to tell you that I went by train to Saint Petersburg to watch the Mariinsky Ballet. My trip was nothing short of a dream. As a real lover of ballet and fashion I am, of course, thrilled to find that my trip coincided with International Women’s Day. * A fabulous day, indeed! There is something special and heartwarming about the sheer talent of these incredible ballerinas. I must admit it’s not easy trying to maintain your poise in that rather *unforgiving tutu, but these elegant dancers move with such graceful precision, making every move effortless and seemingly light as a feather.
Speaking of ballet shows… the whole city seemed to be alight with the spectacle of the theatre season, darling. There was so much excitement! The grand opening of Swan Lake, my dearest friends, I think it’s going to be quite a spectacular season for Ballet, indeed. What a wonderful combination of art and beauty, don't you agree? I wonder if you’ve noticed this recent revival of ballet amongst us? I think it is most certainly an art form deserving of the biggest and warmest round of applause.
For a little bit of fashion fun, I also discovered a wonderful Vintage Boutique, bursting with fabulous lace, tulle, ribbons and everything else my sartorial heart desires, dear readers. I found some gorgeous tulle to make my next DIY tutu, of course, but I also got some absolutely beautiful materials for a sparkly evening gown (imagine a soft blush-pink gown with a touch of glitter!)… I feel an elegant soiree coming on soon, with tutus naturally playing a crucial part.
Speaking of sparkling, a truly splendid thing happened. My visit just so happened to coincide with the stunning light festival of “Night of the Bridges,” where bridges along the city's Neva River were lit up like an illuminated masterpiece! That was certainly an *eye-catching sight!
Of course, there is a magical connection to ballet even in this modern world. What more sparkling than a pink tutu? It's no wonder tutus are such an amazing source of inspiration for so many. As an avid fashionista, and a lover of tutus, it is a delight to watch trends flow in a circle with this beautiful dance garment – they reappear, transformed by new creative energy!
From the delicate forms of classical ballets to street dance flashes of tutu (think street performance!) or those* extravagant tutus in high-fashion editorials, ballet's elegance *truly finds its way into a great many creative mediums, darling. It is delightful!
You see, I am all about promoting a beautiful kind of *feminine empowerment. So when we get to see how women are taking inspiration from the ballerina and bringing tutus to our streets … Oh, darling, my heart simply bursts!
Of course, one mustn't forget the fabulous costumes in ballets like “Giselle”. With the ballet tutu serving as the central part, the costumes in “Giselle”, are a true embodiment of feminine elegance and fragility. You can’t imagine what an utterly gorgeous performance that was!
If you are even thinking of giving ballet a go, darlings, do! It’s a glorious exercise! As someone who’s gone on to wear the pink tutu, and has taken a trip or two to a few ballet theatres… I’ll share a little piece of advice! Remember to enjoy the movement! You'll get more used to feeling light and airy in that fabulous pink tutu and feel completely empowered, too!
Of course, when we are on this fascinating subject of “tutus” the first thing I must say is… Pink is always in fashion! From our pink dresses to our tutus – oh! Don’t ever feel hesitant about rocking pink, darling. After all, that colour is a lovely sign of femininity, and in my humble opinion, is a beautiful expression of our womanhood. And it has become so beautifully interwoven in ballet, especially in this vibrant world of colour!
Speaking of pink, it was certainly in full display at the Barbie exhibition in New York, darling, where I made sure to get my photo with a gorgeous collection of Barbie dolls from different eras, showcasing that signature, and so delightful pink, of course!
Well, it’s time for me to pack my bag, darlings. I can't wait for another fantastic ballet experience in St. Petersburg! My love for ballet (and all things pink!), you see, brings a real, tangible kind of magic. I must get on with planning my next magical trip.
If there's one thing I want you all to remember this #TutuTuesday: Never underestimate the power of a pink tutu. Never! It's a symbol of grace, beauty, and joy – it truly brings that delightful bit of magic to the world. So, let your inner ballerina shine and always rock your pink tutu with pride.
Keep on twirling, darling! Until next Tuesday, xx
Emma
P.S. Where can I go next for some ballet inspiration and *tutu fun? Let me know where your heart would love to go for some tutu-ful travels and we can travel there together!
