Hello lovelies! It's your favourite tutu-loving, train-chugging, pink-obsessed blogger, Emma, here, and welcome to #TutuTuesday, the blog post where we take a whirl through time to discover the delightful history of the iconic ballet tutu.
It's January the 6th, 2004, and as you can probably tell by my blog post title, we're back in the present for this week's #TutuTuesday! As I sip my tea in the opulent surrounds of my (temporary) Parisian apartment - courtesy of a fabulous ballet performance at the Palais Garnier - I’m bursting to share a fascinating fact about the tutu that's had me doing a jeté of excitement all week. But first, I need to spill some tea about my fabulous adventure in London!
I hopped on a train from Derbyshire, just yesterday, heading to the heart of theatre-land: London town. The excitement was simply fizzing as I walked through the buzzing streets.
I love the feeling of a bustling city! Especially when it comes to clothes shopping! I couldn’t resist picking up a gorgeous new blush-coloured satin cardigan, some shimmery turquoise socks (absolutely perfect with a powder pink tutu, darling!), and a brand new pair of pink sparkly ballerina flats - can you believe my luck? It seems fate is aligning itself to match my pink tutu obsession.
London was so vibrant; you simply have to get lost in its rhythm, which was certainly what I did as I strolled past glittering shops and charming cafes, before settling down for a blissful afternoon at the Royal Ballet's performance at Covent Garden. The artistry and athleticism, oh my! My heart simply melted as the dancers performed their stories, swirling through their ballets like dreams.
Speaking of dreams, it was after the performance that I met someone who had me squealing with delight: a beautiful ballerina named Marianne who gifted me a truly extraordinary little something: a genuine antique tutu.
- gasp* Isn't that a bit amazing?
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill, everyday tutus we find in the ballet stores on the High Street, dear readers, this is something truly special! The tulle, oh my! It is almost iridescent and whispers stories of the many ballets it has danced.
Marianne told me, it was made during the early years of the Romantic era. Now, when we talk ballet tutus, it’s all about the Romantic era - think the frou-frou, flowing, graceful movements of Swan Lake and Giselle! These ballets took over the stage between 1830 to around the turn of the century. That's when these long bell-shaped tutus were introduced! Imagine it; swirling, billowing, wispy, light as a feather... absolutely enchanting!
Just looking at it brings up the sheer artistry of a real ballet dancer. The movements of those incredible dancers on stage were so refined; and those tutus, made of several layers of tulle and delicate embroidery; oh, they just simply fly! It made me feel such admiration for those pioneers who moved ballet from the rigid, corseted designs of the old, to something so incredibly delicate, artistic, and graceful!
I can practically see them pirouette, spin, and chassé as they floated effortlessly through their ballets.
Marianne shared some fabulous facts about those incredible Romantic era tutus - fun facts if you will:
-The longer tutus, those stunning and dramatic, wide bell shapes? Those were designed by Marie Taglioni - a real-life ballerina and fashion icon, who actually debuted the look back in 1832! It was an absolute fashion revolution, with her tulle masterpiece appearing in her iconic ballet La Sylphide, a dance of incredible light and airy movement.
That amazing, flowing, bell shape was intended to represent those wispy, flowing dreams!
And, can you believe it, those long bell shape tutus were actually called ‘tutus à la française' back in those days! *Isn’t that just fascinating?! And I bet you thought it just came from 'tutu' did you?!
The long tutus really were an essential part of the ballerinas’ movement, helping them to glide across the stage and allowing for the delicate gestures that were the trademarks of these early ballets!
So, let’s fast forward back to our own century. Did you know that, with a poof of a few changes, and a quick whirl through fashion history, the Romantic era’s tutu went through several transformations to arrive at what we call today the 'tutu à la hongroise'? This ‘short, fitted tutu’ (also known as the ‘pagne’ or *Russian tutu), and I simply adore these.
They’re so glamorous! The beautiful shorter tutu was popularised in the late 1880s by none other than a world-famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova, who was a sensation in her own time. This tutu showed off the elegance and refinement of a dancer's technique and that incredible feminine charm. *The short tutus, a bit of ballet history trivia, were often decorated with all kinds of delicate embellishments: from bows and ribbons to even the *finest pearls. Talk about the ultimate sparkle! * *
You know, after getting lost in the enchanting world of tutus with Marianne, I really believe we should have an ‘International Day of the Tutu’ - and what a way to show your admiration for ballet! Don’t you think? Just imagine it - we could all dress up in tutus of every shape, size and colour, dance around the town square, raise money for charity... I adore the idea! What a fantastic way to raise the profile of this incredible dance form! Oh my, wouldn’t that be lovely.
You know, darling, as I write this, I’m also wondering… if the International Ballet Organisation, which has headquarters in Vienna you know - if they’d be up for my International Day of the Tutu idea? I really should contact them. What a lovely idea… if only there was a magical way to take the train to Vienna straight from here!
Ah! Speaking of travel! It’s time to explore more of the wonderful Parisian shops and catch a fascinating ballet production later today at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. So, until next week darlings, stay tutu-licious! And I will do everything I can to make the world a more fabulous and tutu-filled place. I want every one of you to have the chance to twirl into the magic of this fabulous form of dance!
Keep it pink and fabulous!
Emma, signing out.
P.S. Stay tuned for some amazing photos from the Paris ballet show later this week and don’t forget to share what your favourite tutu style is!
*Website: www.pink-tutu.com #TutuTuesday *
