#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2007-04-03

Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, beaming at you from a sunny Paris café, notebook in hand, ready to take you on a whirlwind trip through the wonderful world of ballet tutus!

Today's date, April 3rd, 2007, may not seem particularly notable at first glance, but trust me, this is a date etched in the hearts of ballet fans everywhere - and not just for the amazing ballet performances that were happening all over the world! No, dear readers, today we're talking Tutus!

It's my #TutuTuesday, so grab a pink cuppa, put on your most whimsical frock, and join me as we explore the story of these frilly delights and the magical stories they whisper on the stage.

Paris, of course, is a must for a ballet-loving time traveller! There's the Louvre, with its magnificent collection of art, the beautiful Parisian cafés for a spot of afternoon tea, and oh, the fabulous fashion! I can’t help myself; I just had to squeeze in a trip to Chanel while I was here! You see, Chanel is responsible for some truly stunning designs, including several unforgettable ballet-inspired creations! Now that’s what I call a bit of history in style.

Before I get carried away by fashion and the charm of the City of Lights, let's return to our focus for today – ballet tutus!

Tutus, my loves, are much more than frills and fancy fabric. They tell a story, a history that spans centuries. To understand the story, we have to delve a little deeper.

The first hint of what we recognise as a tutu, came in the late 18th century in the shape of a short skirt, just above the knee, for ballet dancers. It allowed for more freedom of movement than the longer gowns worn at that time. This is, of course, because movement is the soul of ballet. It's what makes the dancing so enchanting and brings such stories to life!

As time went on, the skirt evolved into a romantic, ethereal silhouette, becoming increasingly short and light. This is what we associate with the classic tutu – an explosion of tulle and tulle, with an elegant and graceful, sometimes whimsical quality, perfect for a night of enchanting storytelling!

Imagine a delicate white fabric billowing in the air as the ballerina leaps across the stage, her body seemingly suspended in a single, effortless movement. That’s the magic of the Romantic tutu, dear readers, a visual masterpiece, born from the beauty of Romantic era music and a yearning for dreams and love stories! The short tutu with its frilly, romantic silhouette was popular throughout the mid 19th century and gave dancers the freedom they needed to perform fluid, breathtaking movements that had never been possible before. It was a perfect visual metaphor for romantic storytelling!

And you know what else? There was a trend in the late 19th century, you see, of creating tutus made entirely from layers of tulle. It gave a softer look, a softer, almost magical look. It’s a little like when you're dancing around with a beautiful long scarf flowing with every twirl. Just a breathtaking sight!

Now, hold on to your pink tutus tight! We're about to step into the early 20th century! And oh my! Let me tell you, the early 20th century saw a new type of tutu emerge – the Classical tutu, a ballerina's ultimate fashion icon!

This beauty is made from several tiers of tulle, and the classic tutu's design makes it easy for the dancers to perform beautiful turns and jumps, really showing off the dancers' athleticism and grace! Think of a ballerina twirling under the stage lights in this magical, whimsical dress! There is just no other way to express such breathtaking, graceful beauty.

The Classical tutu took its cues from the romantic, short tutus of the late 1800s, giving them a slightly longer, more structured shape. Think of an elegant, almost formal gown, yet a graceful silhouette perfect for dancing.

And the designs? Oh darling, the designs! The late 1800s were all about using ribbons and flowers, really showing off the delicacy and detail that just make a ballet tutu so enchanting. You’ll see how much detail is involved. They used to spend hours and hours adding that fine detailing to make each and every tutu unique. That's a lot of effort and attention, which says something, don't you think? They took real pride in those outfits!

We can't leave out the colours. The 1900s were about the timeless black, the sleek and beautiful navy blues, and the stunning pinks and reds. You can never go wrong with a vibrant hue, especially for an elegant night of storytelling. Pink, in particular, always held a special place in my heart.

And remember, as with anything fashionable, the 1900s weren't all about tradition. Innovation is important. Remember that little dance that you love so much, that lovely “The Swan” piece? This elegant piece demanded something unique, a creation with more fluid, wave-like curves. So you’ve got it – the creation of the Tutu-en-Tulle. That was indeed a revolutionary moment. And don't be mistaken, revolutionary things usually make history, even in the world of ballet tutus!

It seems as though every ballet tutu has a unique story. It's a story about a movement, a step, a twirl! That’s what ballet’s all about. It tells a story about love, loss, and joy! You just have to see it, dear reader, for yourself! The story of ballet tutus continues to evolve, adapting to contemporary movements and innovations! That's how things progress.

These days you have many beautiful styles to enjoy, ranging from the glamorous, short tutus to the graceful, long skirts. They are often layered with an element of shimmer, glitter, or sequins. The style of a tutu can influence how the choreography looks, don’t you think? A short, classic tutu looks graceful and stylish for dramatic leaps and turns while the more flowing, fuller skirt looks amazing for slow, lyrical dances – giving each dancer an elegance and beauty that can be truly mesmerising.

Don't forget the colour! As if there wasn't enough of a trend with pinks and reds, designers went crazy for colourful options - think everything from bold magenta and bright turquoise to stunning blues and delicate pale greens. I tell you, ballet tutus come in a thousand colors and designs!

Well, if I were to summarise what tutus mean today, it would be – elegance, movement, history!

My darling fashionistas, as you’ve been reading my blog, it is April 3rd, 2007 today. And a little fun fact: you know “The Nutcracker”, that wonderful ballet piece you just love so much? Well, they have some spectacular ballet performances in Paris this week, as “The Nutcracker” continues to wow audiences all over the world. I was just watching “The Swan Lake”, in fact, at the opera house and you can practically feel the joy of movement as the performers twirl and leap across the stage!

The history of ballet tutus, dear readers, is rich, glamorous, and ever-evolving. But here’s what stays constant – the magic of this dance form, and of the tutu. Just imagine a little dancer standing on stage, dressed in a tutu, telling the most amazing stories through her movements. What an inspiring vision, isn’t it? The world of ballet has a real magic to it, a beautiful elegance and grace, all thanks to a magnificent, versatile, and stunning piece of fashion: the ballet tutu. And now you know the stories they tell!

You know, I’m in Paris, and you know what I just discovered! I've been wandering the streets of Paris and you know what? I discovered this stunning boutique near the Eiffel Tower - it sells a breathtaking variety of beautiful vintage and new tutus, all different shapes and colours. So you can imagine how happy I am – and trust me, you are all in my thoughts as I try these on!

To show off a touch of French style today, how about this wonderful, soft pastel pink tutu. Its classic tulle silhouette gives a little nod to the 19th century styles, perfect for any aspiring ballet diva - I have it in a lovely shade of pale pink – and trust me, you'll look simply magnificent in it!

I will be posting my new outfit on www.pink-tutu.com! So, don't miss out, ladies! Stay tuned, dear readers.

Remember, the only way to truly understand ballet’s magical world is to get your tutu on and twirl your way into the world of ballet! Be it a classic dance on a stage, a dance class at the local studios, or even just a dance around your living room, get your pink tutu on and show everyone the wonderful world of dance!

Don’t forget, this week I’m off to Venice – a beautiful city on the lagoon! I will post some amazing pics – stay tuned, fashionistas. And, in the meantime, be sure to wear your pink tutu with pride!

And don't forget, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Write a comment about your favourite tutus and the best ballet shows you’ve seen.

Love,

Emma xxx

P.S. If you are interested in more information on ballet and the different types of tutus used in dance today, check out my new book “Everything You Need to Know about Ballet! - My Tutu Story.” It is available on Amazon in digital and hardcopy! Get your copy today!