Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutus! Today's #TutuTuesday post is extra special because it's dedicated to exploring the incredible history of the iconic ballet tutu.
Hold onto your tiaras, ladies! Because this is a story of silk, feathers, and the evolution of elegance! Iām your fashionable guide, Emma, and trust me, you'll be positively en pointe after reading all about it!
The Parisian Promenade of Perfection
Right, so picture this: Paris, 1830s. Fashion is on the cutting edge, literally! Hemlines are climbing, revealing ankles for the very first time, and itās the birth of the era we know and love as Romantic ballet.
Marie Taglioni, the darling of the stage, danced in the airy lightness of what was essentially a lightweight, flowing, gauzy skirt. That my lovelies, is where our tutu story truly begins!
The evolution was fast. The Romantic tutu with its billowing length transformed into the shorter, fitted "tutu," a vision of graceful form, inspired by the new artistic approach. Think airy elegance, graceful gestures, and all the delicate details of the story, right there in the way it flowed with the dancer.
The beauty of it is - the silhouette spoke volumes.
A Short Skirt and a Long History
Fast forward a little to the late 19th century and bam! Enter the tutu proper. Imagine layers of stiff tulle that would give your grandmothers crinolines a run for their money! We're talking full, voluminous tutus that demanded space and wowed the audiences, demanding the "en pointe" footwork to show it off to its full effect.
Now, my darlings, you've got to picture the iconic tutus of our beloved ballets: The tutus that sweep the stage during Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, or that dreamy ballet we all adore, Giselle! All that magnificent visual beauty is an essential part of the history!
From Stage to Street: A Modern Tutu Story
Of course, you know the story doesnāt end there! Now, fast forward to our time in 2003. Today, the tutu continues to evolve!
You'll see them everywhere from contemporary ballets where a ballerina's form and "artistic movement" take centre stage to those wonderful fashion designs with a touch of ballet weāre all smitten with. The tulle is softer now. Youāve got tutu dresses for those casual weekends. And then of course there are those gorgeous pink, powder blue and pastel creations which just scream āelegant but not overly dressedā - think first date- perfect!
I saw a stunning fuchsia tutu dress in my favourite boutique last weekend, oh my gosh! The sheerness and colour - divine.
But enough about me - I can't contain myself! Itās Tuesday and today - oh the things you could find today! - itās the 7th October and today in history - there is so much to choose from, but I think - for me - the 7th of October in history, well, I must, simply must talk about the amazing Margot Fonteyn!
A truly spectacular ballet legend. And oh my dearies, we mustnāt forget how very important she is - in fact ā I have so much to say - it must be my next #TutuTuesday post ! Oh, just thinking about it gives me butterflies!!
To tutu-ally embrace your inner ballerina, it's time for a dose of Tutu Inspiration - a selection of pictures from my personal collection just for you!
Picture 1: The tutu for me, and yes - Iām a tad obsessed! Mine is a vintage pale pink, feathered tutu from the 1950s, I absolutely love this Tutu - the tutu and all that vintage romance. The soft blush pink fabric feels luxurious as well as the soft delicate hand- sewn feather trim. This Tutu has a bit of āvintage Parisian glamour,ā if I ever say so myself.
Picture 2: The classic, a timeless elegance, my black tutu with the black tulle, the structured bodice and the contrasting silver sparkling trim - I think the design speaks for itself and, frankly, never goes out of fashion. Iāve bought it recently for a performance but I think I must make a tutu-inspired top *a la this design! I've found some really pretty white and black striped velvet. Oh, how elegant! Maybe you can all start planning your own Tutu top creation now? I know I must try mine!
Picture 3: You know what is really in today? Oh the wonderful modern tutu design that mixes it up - * and *doesn't just stick to the classic. The amazing new tutus that give you the modern contemporary look, *in modern fabrics and with more structure to them - so amazing. Look out for my #TutuTuesday - modern-tutu blog post next week so you can see the exciting fabrics I am so fascinated by at the moment. I mean - really I canāt even say! (Remember the tutus that do the ballerina form! The soft peach and cream ones. I had a chance to see them last month when the London Royal Ballet was touring and I just had to see it all over again at the show at the gorgeous Derbyshire Theatre for the fourth time! Oh itās a good life! So good! I can't even!
Picture 4: I simply cannot resist an image of that famous 1845 Ballet "Giselle." The tulle is so full and voluminous in this production. This picture always gives me such lovely "dancing, and dancing well" ideas. You know the movement en pointe has to be graceful. Yes indeed! It's ballet for the stage, the theatre performance, which inspires me and so many, so many people.
Calling all tutus lovers!
What are your favourite tutus, lovelies? Have you any fun memories about tutus? Tell me all your fashion tips. This tutu loving fashionista is ready to hear about your own Tutu- Tuesday,! So don't be shy, my darling ballerinas, join the tutu-talk and add to the #TutuTuesday fun!
Follow my #TutuTuesday blog, because let's be honest - if you are into all things tulle and twirling, you simply must. It's a journey! A tutu journey to see what a fabulous fashion experience awaits us. Let me know your #TutuTuesday blog suggestions, lovelies, as Iām always looking for great inspiration for my posts - Iāve got all these wonderful vintage clothes shops and even an antique vintage fashion store right here in my favourite spot on the train route for getting to and from Derby station from Matlock. That vintage shop - the lovely shop on āthat side" in Bakewell. You simply *must visit if you are in this part of the world!. The owner tells me about some lovely tulle pieces, with more history to them than I could ever imagine! The real vintage style, before the modern *tutu was on the scene. It is my #TutuTuesday dream.
Until next Tuesday, may your twirls be as enchanting as ever! I will be en pointe, my darlings, for sure as the next #TutuTuesday blog will *bring something new, so make sure to look in, just look in... *
*Yours, forever tutu-ing, * Emma, xx
