Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, your favourite tutu-obsessed time traveller, and I'm so excited to be back with you all for another #TutuTuesday. I’ve been flitting about on the fashion trail, popping in and out of eras, seeing what tutus are doing! And oh, darling, there are so many things to share. I even caught the latest production of Giselle at the Bolshoi and you’d have seen me in the front row wearing the most divine, full-skirted pink tutu - truly a sight to behold!
But today, let's step back in time and explore the ballet tutu’s evolution before it landed in its Giselle moment. Now, I'm talking 2007, a year overflowing with pink tutu possibilities (more on this later!). Think Paris, New York, London, Moscow – these were the epicentres of the tutu world back then. You know, like, the big places for dancers to swirl and twirl!
So, where were we in the Tutu Time Line in 2007?
Think back… I bet you're picturing dancers in classic, multi-layered tulle tutus. Think delicate wispy tulle. The tutus of 2007 had moved beyond the stiff and poofy versions you see in vintage films. It’s the perfect time for all those layers of tulle and pretty ruffles to shimmer on stage. Think big romantic styles in classic pink, white, and black with some beautiful additions of colour on those gorgeous hand-sewn petals of tulle!
The romantic tutu, it’s one of my absolute favourites, darling. Picture a cascade of tulle cascading around you, light as a feather, and that perfect swirl you see at the end of every show. You know, those final poses that make every single tutu enthusiast in the audience say, "Oh my goodness! I need a tutu NOW!".
Let’s dive a little deeper, shall we? This period in ballet, especially with companies like the Bolshoi, American Ballet Theatre and Royal Ballet, saw a glorious return of classics! And let's face it, when a classic comes back, so do those glorious romantic tutu designs! Oh darling! It’s the golden age of tutus. Think Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote. The big romantic works are everywhere! They are a fashion heaven for any ballerina.
Don’t forget, 2007 was all about contemporary ballet, too! While those classic tutus had their place, contemporary ballet offered a refreshing change with more experimental shapes, colours, and materials.
Imagine this: Short tutus, fitted ones, perhaps with a bold design to complement the movement or story of the ballet! This style perfectly shows the grace and athleticism of a ballerina – there’s just something truly mesmerizing about watching them move in these modern, flexible, and playful tutus!
But it wasn’t just the tutus themselves that were changing. Think about how dance outfits have evolved over time! Leotards have moved on, ballet shoes come in different colours (yes! Not just pink!) There's even the fashion trend of a tutu on the street, darling! Don't be surprised if you see one on a model in Vogue, or some lovely fashion-conscious person twirling on a Tuesday! (Not sure where the concept for the twirl originated though, dear).
And it's not just the look that's been changing, but the materials too. Remember, darling, it’s all about feeling comfortable!
Lightweight and flexible tulle came into its own, especially for the modern and contemporary productions. Imagine wearing a traditional heavy tulle tutu when you're doing a high, graceful leap!
Think of the joy for the dancer in those lightweight designs and those incredible dance movements. That movement just takes on an even more dramatic edge when you can move and stretch your limbs, creating an airy lightness that everyone just falls in love with.
Oh, darling! We just HAVE to take a moment for the incredible pinkness of it all! Because darling, we just can't get enough of that dreamy pink. We know that ballet is full of beauty and femininity and in 2007 it reached peak prettiness!
I mean, just take a look at that image of Natalia Osipova. Isn’t it heavenly? Her pink tutu (for the Odette/Odile role in Swan Lake) is everything - it's soft, it's floaty, and it looks perfect for her graceful moves! Oh, the beauty of it all. And that classic black on a dark background – simply heavenly. The image truly reflects a whole era of dancing, style and the romance of ballerinas on stage.
Of course, pink wasn’t the only colour around. There were glorious shades of buttercup yellow, azure blue, and rosewood red. All creating amazing colour palettes in productions. Imagine the joy of being part of a group of dancers all twirling in colourful, gorgeous tutus!
It’s the ultimate fashion inspiration, darling. Think about what *designer *Karl Lagerfeld did, using that beautiful ballet and those tutus and translating them to fashion! And just last year, *Vera Wang’s stunning collection for * Sleeping Beauty, darling, that is one to die for, let me tell you! *
And who could forget the wonderful, Christian Lacroix’s costumes for the Grand Pas Classique! That’s an explosion of colours that just pops off the stage – an amazing display of artistry, style and artistry, and fashion! Tutu’s and fashion are intrinsically linked, darling! It’s all about design, colours and movements. The impact they have in all three worlds is amazing!
And speaking of movement! The dance world in 2007 embraced movement, and there’s an element of fun and excitement that’s contagious. So think about all of those different choreographies that dancers performed. They are stunning displays of elegance, grace and energy! *Imagine dancing on the stage! That's truly a feeling I know I have never felt elsewhere! *
Okay, time to get a little nostalgic - you know, thinking about our favourite ballet movies in 2007! A film adaptation of The Nutcracker with a sweet ballet scene was released! Don’t forget the stunning film *The Red Shoes* ! ** That one captures the very soul of ballet, with fashion, love and dancing intertwined! There was a certain magic that captivated the hearts of many around the globe.
Let’s go back to the beginning of ballet, the French Court, where dancers wore the first tutus! The history of ballet tutus is something I truly admire, as it started in the French Royal court with men dressed in a ‘tutu’, back in the 1500s! That was the very start of what has become our absolute icon of ballet – the tutu!
That brings me to our next topic, darling – the future of tutus! While 2007 is certainly a fashion haven for tutus, we are looking to a bright future filled with more exciting styles. I imagine more movement and colour! Think big dramatic looks, light tulle, maybe even some futuristic style. There is so much scope for exploring creativity, the future holds infinite potential for these delicate pieces of art.
But no matter what happens, I’ll still be here, wearing my pink tutu and keeping an eye on all things tutus. Remember darling – we are on a mission, together, to make the world a more fabulous place. Let's make tutus everywhere! It's not just about dance; it’s about embracing the art, fashion and magic in each other.
Do tell me, my lovely tutu-enthusiasts, what are your favourite moments of tutu history? I’ll be waiting for all your comments, tweets and Instagram posts using #TutuTuesday! Don’t forget to check out pink-tutu.com every Tuesday, where we continue to celebrate all things tutu!
See you next week for a grand tutu adventure!
Yours always,
Emma
PS, don't forget to wear a tutu tomorrow. After all, you never know where you might find a magical moment!
