Hello my darlings! Welcome to another fab #TutuTuesday, the day we take a trip down memory lane and delve into the exquisite history of the ballet tutu. Today, as I sip my rose tea in a delightful little cafe nestled on a cobblestone street in the heart of Paris, I'm filled with the Parisian spirit, a city bursting with style, fashion, and, of course, ballet!
Now, if youâre new to my little corner of the internet, Iâm Emma, a girl from Derbyshire, England with a life-long love for tutus. My quest is to get the world wearing pink tutus! And who knows, maybe one day, Iâll inspire everyone to wear one of my designs! Iâm a real tutu enthusiast and believe me, a pink tutu can brighten anyone's day. Every week, on Tuesday, I take a journey through time to celebrate the magnificent history of our beloved tutu!
Speaking of travelling⌠you wouldn't believe the adventure I had this week! Imagine⌠stepping off the Eurostar train at Gare du Nord in Paris, my darling pink tutu fluttering in the crisp Parisian air! The Parisian energy buzzes around you, every corner promising a delectable new pastry, a chic cafe, or a glittering theatre!
September 12th, 2006 was an exciting day! The world was gearing up for the 2006 World Cup which took place in Germany, but for me, it was about another kind of magic: the enchanting world of ballet. There was a new production of âLa Bayadereâ opening at the Bolshoi Theatre, in Moscow and of course, you guessed it⌠featuring the most exquisite tutus! My trip through time allowed me to experience it in person! The Bolshoi theatre is truly awe inspiring! Itâs the most incredible and beautiful ballet theatre!
Now, if youâve found yourselves captivated by my posts, but never attended a ballet performance before, well, my darlings, itâs an experience you shouldnât miss! Picture this⌠the hush of anticipation in the theatre, the glorious lights illuminating the stage, the graceful swish of tulle, and the rhythmic symphony of music and movement. The theatre can be a place of dream, magic, and elegance!
You know how I love delving into the origins of tutus. So letâs go back to the roots of it all, the origins of our beautiful ballet costumes. The early days, way back in the late 1500s, ballet was performed in luxurious court gowns and elaborate attire, and tutus were far from the scene! The first glimpse of the iconic tutu as we know it emerged in the 19th century with the advent of âRomantic Balletâ, which explored themes of fantasy and otherworldly enchantment.
The Romantic Era ushered in the first form of the tutu as we know it, often referred to as a âbell-shaped tutuâ, with the short skirts designed to show off the elegant steps and flowing movement. In those early days, dancers would twirl with lightness and grace in white silk or gauze tutus that shimmered under the stage lights.
By the late 19th Century, the âclassical tutuâ appeared, offering the iconic layered shape we often associate with ballerina outfits. Think âThe Nutcrackerâ and the delicate beauty of Claraâs costume - now thatâs a tutu I can get behind! The tiered fabric allowed for more movement, making it perfect for those captivating pirouettes and leaps that dancers became famous for. It's a style that has stood the test of time, gracing stages worldwide for well over a century, appearing in countless productions like âGiselleâ and âSwan Lakeâ.
In fact, the iconic âswan lakeâ tutus are what came to mind when I traveled to London earlier this month and saw âThe Nutcrackerâ. Imagine my delight⌠it was absolutely fabulous. The tutus worn by the ballerinas as they glided through the winter wonderland in Act I were so exquisitely detailed. The intricate beadwork, the shimmery sequins - simply breathtaking!
Letâs take a look at our timeline:
- 1832 - A tutu, albeit a âbellâ shape and not tiered as we see them today, was made for the ballerina Marie Taglioni and worn for the ballet âLa Sylphideâ. This dance revolutionized ballet costumes, leading the way for a more fluid and expressive approach to performance.
- 1837 â âThe romantic tutuâ emerged from the Parisian Opera Ballet company, as seen in âGiselleâ . The shorter skirt made for a stunning look on stage.
- 1840 âThe tutu, with all its frills and layers, started taking shape. The more full and intricate style we are used to today.
- 1935 â âThe Paganiniâ is famous for the âen pointeâ work with extremely tight-fitting bodice.
- 1949 â Ballet legend, Margot Fonteyn wears an elegant white and silver tutu in âThe Sleeping Beautyâ.
- 1958 â A modern, less structured, version of a tutu known as âThe Tutuâ appeared.
And oh, there have been so many changes since! Itâs been an exciting evolution in costume design and what is most impressive is the artistry of the fabric choice and beadwork, the detail, the colour - every detail is crafted to showcase the beauty of dance.
Of course, I am obsessed with colour, so I had to share my pink tutus for you today⌠imagine your ballerina as she dances on stage, in an incredible soft pink tutu â simply exquisite! If only it could have been made in 2006, a time when Ballet shoes started making an impact. It was a year when ballet footwear companies created innovative and stylish pointe shoes, made from high quality leather. So why not try something new with your ballet footwear too?
My dearest readers, remember the elegance of these costumes is much more than a performance element - itâs an expression of artistic history. I love exploring these costumes and seeing their development! They inspire and invigorate me!
Let's remember this week to make life a ballet - with a few twirls, a touch of sparkle, and some elegant poses, we can all feel a little more magical and graceful, every day. Let me know if youâve tried a pink tutu â what a joyful moment to capture and what a wonderful experience it would be to have it be your âspecial thingâ! I'm so curious to know which is your favourite style of tutu! Do tell me your tutu tales in the comments section below!
Happy #TutuTuesday, my darlings!
Until next Tuesday⌠xx
