Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus are the only acceptable attire (apart from maybe a fluffy pink cardigan). It's #TutuTuesday and as always, I'm taking a trip through time to uncover the dazzling history of this iconic piece of dancewear. Today we're heading back to 2003 - can you believe it's been 20 years already? - and specifically, the 6th of May.
Before we start, though, I have to tell you all about the absolute dream of a trip I had last week. I took a trip on the Orient Express! Honestly, I felt like I stepped right into an Agatha Christie novel. All that opulent décor, the fantastic food, and the wonderful fellow travellers made for a truly unforgettable journey. You really can't beat travelling by train for seeing the scenery, chatting to people and indulging in a good book. Of course, I wore my most glamorous travelling outfit: a deep pink satin dress, a pearl necklace that my Nana gifted me, and naturally, my go-to pink tutu, perfect for twirling as the train went through the beautiful countryside.
Speaking of twirling, it's time to talk tutus!
The Evolution of a Dancing Delight:
Now, if you were to visit me at home, you'd see my tutu collection, which spans the decades. And there's a lot to talk about because believe me, the history of the tutu isn't simply a "let's put some fluffy material on a dancer" affair. There's real depth and style involved!
Before we even think of tulle and frills, we need to understand that early ballet costumes, well, they weren't what we'd consider "tutus." Think long skirts and corsets! It wasn't until the 19th century, during the Romantic period of ballet, that tutus as we know them started to emerge. Think ballerinas with flowing, airy, ethereal skirts - the image we all associate with a tutu!
So, what makes the 6th of May, 2003, a key date in this glorious story? It's all thanks to the Royal Opera House. Yes, you heard right! My favourite London home of ballet (sorry, Coliseum!). On this very day, in 2003, they had the wonderful performance of "The Sleeping Beauty".
Oh, I can almost hear the music, imagine the beauty and elegance of the dancers. Now, this performance isn't just any performance, darling. This performance showcased the skill and artistry of The Royal Ballet company, making it all the more special.
But hold on a minute! Why does that make this date so significant for tutus, you ask? Well, the Royal Opera House, just like other renowned ballet companies, doesn't just fling a bunch of tutus on their ballerinas, no, dear reader! There's careful thought put into each costume, every detail.
Every little detail counts, my dears!
So, just as fashion goes through periods, so do ballet tutus. Think romantic, billowing tutus like the ones I have pictured on the site. Or then consider shorter tutus designed for a greater sense of athleticism and ease of movement. This attention to detail and artistic approach is truly remarkable!
And what makes tutus so magical, darling, is how they embody a truly timeless design! From romantic classical to modern pieces, you just can't beat a tutu. Even beyond the stage, they're part of our collective cultural vocabulary! It's a simple costume that says so much, evoking both graceful movements and beautiful art.
Now, who's with me for #PinkTutuWednesday?
Until next week, darlings, remember, a little bit of pink goes a long way - and so does a little bit of twirling! 🩰 💖
Love,
Emma x
