Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate all things tulle, twirls, and the magic of ballet! This Tuesday's trip takes us back to a sunny day in 2004. It’s not a completely unfamiliar world, but just imagine the sheer joy of knowing that nothing about phones and social media was going to change… for at least another 5 years! Oh, the blissful innocence.
Today I’m going to focus on the evolution of the tutu - something that never goes out of style, believe me, and as any of you know, always gives you a chance to feel a bit more like a fairytale princess.
Now, gather ‘round darlings, as I’ve been on a fabulous trip back in time, and I'm just bursting to share my findings. Today, we're taking a closer look at the tutus of the 20th century and how they were evolving in 2004!
Imagine being able to transport back in time on a whim. It's an adventure I've been able to afford ever since I started performing - all thanks to my incredible talent and those generous sponsors! A few ballet performances each year give me the travel funds to jet back in time. And it is always my absolute pleasure to give up some of my London stage time to step into a *past life. I just find this so exciting… how they used to wear these long skirts and corsets, which were obviously uncomfortable to wear... let alone try and move and jump and dance in! It gives me an enormous sense of appreciation for our ballet attire today!
1900s-1930s - The Romantic Tutu - It's all about elegance, romance, and of course, the swirling, dreamy tulle!
Think delicate layers of tulle cascading down, showcasing the graceful movements of the dancers. It’s the time when tulle is getting discovered and being used as a fashion material to show off those beautifully toned legs… the era of leg show is in full effect, if you get my drift! * And trust me, those early tutu makers - their skill at putting those tulle layers together was just exceptional!* I was able to watch Anna Pavlova and even get a picture taken with her! What an absolute delight it was - to witness her beauty and her sheer skill at dancing. The sheer artistry of that Romantic Tutu, it's hard to not get inspired, right? But back to our time machine! We’re jumping forward.
1940s-1950s: The Neoclassical Tutu The tutu is becoming less full but longer. The shape is evolving – it's about a shorter skirt that really flows with the movements, showing more of the leg in action. It's still graceful and lovely, but it allows for more modern interpretations and techniques. This was all about movement. You can almost see the ‘speed of light' dancing style being perfected on stage… the impact on modern ballet as we know it now – unbelievable!
1960s-1980s: Modern Ballet: A Tutu For Every Style! The Romantic Tutu makes a come-back, more flowing, full and ethereal! We see variations of shorter tutus made from netting and often paired with tights. It’s all about showing off athletic movements and boldness, really celebrating those long lines of movement. You can see this movement so well in the designs of Maria Tallchief.
And look! Our trip continues forward!
2000s: Tutu Experimentation The tutu keeps going in new, extra exciting directions. There's no one rule – there’s just art happening on the stage. It's a fascinating mix of what came before and bold new explorations. I’ve loved seeing the different styles of tutus in performances all around the world. And trust me, there's no limit! A little nod to that fashion evolution is reflected in our very own 2004 fashions! Some of my most cherished finds come from this decade – oh to have my time travel powers for that vintage clothing hunt! And speaking of my finds….
It’s Tuesday 15th June, 2004 and I'm in Paris – what an exquisite place for our travel destination, don't you think? The fashion scene is in overdrive, with vibrant colors, flowing fabrics, and styles to die for… well, almost. Who am I kidding? I’d jump at any chance to have *that fashion-loving Parisian wardrobe* - for all of the reasons I love pink, all of the reasons I adore a good tutu, and all of the reasons I am madly, absolutely, hopelessly, and devotedly in love with the idea of living my entire life in nothing other than tutus.
But alas! Here we are. 2004 is definitely in my personal list of my most loved ‘decades for tutu inspiration’ and for how the whole world embraced fashion and all things fun and joyful. That whole ‘modern princess’ vibe? Totally my style and my absolute favourite! Paris has its magical element - the city is brimming with that whimsical Parisian elegance, which just must be seen when you think about how that all connects to what the tutu represents for us as a way to express that artistic grace. * And this Parisian air is simply oozing all around, right down to our everyday fashion! And here we find the Parisian 'street style' look taking on those bold tutus! Just *fantastic, I’m telling you!
Now, the highlight of today’s ballet history? It’s not a tutu story – it’s all about the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, which is just breathtaking… and so incredibly ‘stage’ history-focused. I even managed to see some of those legendary stars – like Sylvie Guillem and the glorious Tamara Rojo… They had me absolutely mesmerized with their movement. It really was such a perfect way to end my visit back to 2004 and remind myself why I love going back in time in the first place - all for the joy of exploring our own story. A truly humbling and truly inspiring experience, right? That feeling of watching the talent and creativity that comes together on that Covent Garden stage …well, I get emotional just thinking about it all!
*Remember, every twirl deserves a little celebration. So, share your tutu-related stories and pictures below, tell me what you love most about that *magic of tulle and elegance … **
See you next Tuesday, darling! *Emma
P.S. I'm excited to be sharing a very special project next week … it involves travelling farther back in history… I hope you absolutely love it. It's gonna be pink… oh yes, pink! (And more than a hint of sparkly and stylish, of course).
Stay fabulous, wear your tutu, and spread the joy! I’ll see you all next Tuesday! Emma
