Greetings, my lovely tutu enthusiasts! 🩰
Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-tastic! Today we're delving deep into the history of these iconic garments, travelling back in time to 18th March 2003, the day a certain someone (ahem, me) just couldn't resist popping in my time-travelling train carriage and whizzing back to see what the ballet world was up to.
Remember those incredible "Ballet Stories" I told you about? This week, my darling tutu-loving friends, we’re focusing on the evolution of the tutu! What was ballet like before these magnificent creations? How have tutus changed? Why am I obsessed with pink tutus?
From Courtly Costumes to Whirlwind Skirts:
My journey started in the grand and formal setting of the French court in the 1500s. Back then, the ballet was a courtly dance with intricate, flowing costumes – very elegant, very pretty, but certainly not a tutu as we know it! As time went by, the French Court ballet developed, eventually evolving into the theatrical dance spectacle that we recognise today. It's then we see the emergence of the tutu's predecessor – the 'tutu' or 'tutu à la Camargo'. This was a knee-length, frilly skirt which was a departure from the floor-length skirts and gowns that had previously defined the look of courtly dancers. And why a departure, you ask? It was a radical step designed to liberate dancers' legs, allowing them to showcase their graceful, expressive movements!
Now, you see, I knew a bit about the 'tutu à la Camargo' already - we can see evidence of it even back in the 1730s, thanks to the exquisite drawings and sketches of that era! It is said to be named after Marie Camargo, who loved the airy, graceful flow it provided - but alas, the dance of the 1700s still required some serious practicality and this "new" style, was really just a shorter skirt, no-one dared experiment with a skirt too high just yet!
I could practically see those dancers, pirouetteing and leaping, their delicate movements captured in that soft, elegant skirt. The French had always been pioneers when it comes to ballet – their refined taste and sophisticated understanding of movement gave birth to such intricate, stunning ballet costumes.
But alas, history is not linear, the French weren't the only players! Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Italian dancers started to take over. What did this mean? Even more fabulous tutus! The length of skirts began to inch up (my darling, these women were truly visionaries) as the "Italian style" became increasingly popular!
The mid-1800s were a truly exciting time – tutus became truly short and whirlwind skirts, designed to showcase leg work. Imagine, imagine these beautiful ballerinas dancing with incredible fluidity! Imagine the sheer artistry of their movements – that's exactly what was inspiring designers to create the tutu that we know and love! The era of Romantic Ballet was upon us, and my dear, that is where tutus really came into their own. We see a shift towards longer, billowing tutus in gauze and tulle, creating a graceful and almost ethereal look! What a glorious spectacle!
Imagine that - those iconic Romantic tutus that we've all seen in countless ballet photographs, and perhaps on some incredible performances too? Imagine all of that being created to celebrate that most beautiful form of dance - Ballet! I've said it before, but I will say it again, I adore those gorgeous, classic tutu creations of that time. The way the material just flows in the wind? Utterly breathtaking.
Now, I must take a quick break, for it's simply impossible to keep going on about the beauty of Romantic Era tutus - and what could possibly come next in my time-travelling quest. It's time to head out to London for a delectable cup of tea at my favorite tearoom. You see, my lovelies, even though I love to see ballerinas and travel, even I sometimes need a little break from the sheer extravagance of those fabulous shows, so to keep a level head I take in my local theatre shows with ballet street performers as well as my own slightly more glamorous ones! I can tell you this, my lovelies, when you have the opportunity - grab the chance to go see some ballet, because you're guaranteed to have an incredible time!
Fast Forward to the Modern Age:
So, now we fast forward a little to the modern era, where our lovely ballet stars dance with the kind of fluidity and power we wouldn’t even have imagined possible before! Imagine dancing on pointe effortlessly, using tutus to showcase athleticism alongside beauty – amazing, right? We've come a long way! It's amazing how ballet has kept reinventing itself while retaining its elegance.
What's fascinating to me is the fact that tutu lengths have varied even through the modern era. Remember "The Sleeping Beauty" production from 1956? I mean, it had the most enchanting tutus. But by 1993, ballet stars were twirling and leaping in much shorter skirts for the modern, contemporary age. And you know what? These shorter skirts only emphasize the lines and elegance of the dancer's moves. So elegant, so graceful - so, so fabulous.
For me, there's no tutu that beats the pink tutu. Oh, yes, I’m talking about those fabulous, pastel pink creations - just breathtaking, my darlings! For those who know me, know that the perfect pink tutu is what gets me going! Pink embodies feminine beauty and the gentle power of ballet, like the softest pink blush. Just look at the ballerina's movement and the lightness of a pink tutu swirling on the stage! Don’t you think it’s just perfect? Of course, you do, you have good taste!
But here’s a secret I learned in 2003 – although those breathtaking ballet productions always had these beautiful short tutus in a range of colours on stage, off the stage and for ballet lessons there is an exciting resurgence for the "long Romantic era" tutu for practice classes in many ballet schools. Perhaps the return of the classic longer tutus in our own modern era is an homage to those earlier ballet styles, and I have to say it really makes me think about how fashions come full circle.
I always marvel at these amazing ballerinas, they are graceful, beautiful, inspiring, and, above all, incredible athletes. To go to a ballet performance is so exciting, you truly get transported, it's an unforgettable experience, it’s magical! And that's all down to the dedication of these amazing ballet dancers, from the classical style of those longer tutus, to the shorter contemporary tutu that we see today – each design embodies the evolution of ballet, showcasing movement and creating a masterpiece with each graceful movement.
Oh, my lovelies, I simply have to rush off - I've a dance class in one hour - but before I do, just imagine: If you were to create your own dream tutu, what colours and shapes would you choose? I would love to hear from you! Remember, don’t forget to come back to www.pink-tutu.com next week, same time, same place. Next week, drumroll please, I am taking a journey all about pointe shoes!
Remember to wear a pink tutu today, my beautiful tutu darlings. Until next week, may your twirls be beautiful and your jumps exhilarating!
Your eternally glamorous ballet blogger, Emma 💖
