Hey darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! It's a glorious Tuesday here in London (the ballet capital of the world, obvs!), and I'm feeling particularly inspired. After all, today, the 24th of April, is a day steeped in ballet history. I mean, just picture it - a crisp spring morning, birds singing, sunshine bouncing off the River Thames, and a ballerina in a beautiful tutu pirouetting her way to history! Doesn't that just fill you with glee?
Oh, you want to know why today is so special? Well, that's the joy of time travel, darling. You don't just get to see history - you get to learn about it too! On this date, 24th April 1957, the legendary Dame Margot Fonteyn opened the Royal Opera House in London, in, you guessed it, a gorgeous pink tutu. Doesn't that just send shivers down your spine? 💖
Imagine her gliding onto that stage, her graceful limbs catching the light as she danced. The music swells, the crowd roars, the entire world is entranced. This was ballet history in the making, a moment to be cherished. The iconic ballet, "Giselle", is her masterpiece. The romanticism and tragedy intertwined in that timeless tale simply blew my mind. Every step, every gesture told a story, and I just got lost in the beauty of it all. And, of course, that beautiful tutu. What could be more captivating?
And speaking of tutus... Let's dive into our usual deep dive, shall we?
A Peek Into Ballet History:
I know you love learning all about the history of the tutu, so I've been researching... and oh, the stories! Today, we're venturing back to the early 20th century, a time of innovation and experimentation for ballet, which made its way into tutu design as well.
You see, before the 20th century, tutus were essentially little more than fancy underskirts, designed to enhance the shape of a dancer's skirt. They were, as they say, practical. But then... things got interesting. The era of modern ballet brought about a desire for more expressive movement and freer, less constrained outfits. In 1910, Marie Rambert was making waves with her 'Romantic' tutus, that focused on lightweight chiffon, a far cry from the rigid corseted skirts of old! Imagine swirling like a dream!
Of course, by 1910, ballet had grown in popularity around the world, but its popularity in America took flight. The creation of the 'Romantic' tutu gave rise to its most celebrated ballerina, Isadora Duncan. Now, Isadora, she was a bit of a rebel, a bold, beautiful free spirit who didn't just challenge the tutu, she completely re-imagined it. She embraced a looser, flowy aesthetic. The shorter version of this tutu would eventually take over. The short tutu we see today on stage with ballerinas, a shorter version of the earlier ones. The classic form is the ideal.
So what can we learn from all this?
The Tutu: A Constant Evolution:
What I love most about ballet history is that it’s full of creativity. Think of the tutu not as a rigid form, but as a living, breathing entity. Each decade, every generation adds its own flavor and its own voice. From the elaborate, voluminous tutus of the 19th century to the more modern, minimalist styles we see today, it’s clear that the tutu is always evolving, always in sync with the times.
And it’s a testament to how ballet, with its rich heritage and innovative spirit, continues to captivate and inspire. But darling, I’ve saved the best for last.
London Fashion Week and Tutu Shopping! 🛍️💖
This week is HUGE! Fashion Week is back in town, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Emma's gonna be there, soaking up the fashion trends, discovering new designers, and – you guessed it – searching for that perfect pink tutu. Can you believe it?! Imagine the divine inspiration I will gain. There will be so many fashion icons that I will draw ideas from. That perfect tulle skirt I am looking for will have the right fullness, the perfect shape to create an impressive silhouette as I gracefully dance.
And to top it all off, I'll be heading to the Royal Opera House this evening to catch a show. I hear they have a gorgeous new production of 'Swan Lake'. Swan Lake! A classic. There's nothing I love more than catching a live ballet performance – that feeling of awe and wonder, the sheer beauty and artistry, the magical air of the theatre… it truly transports you.
This year, they’ve decided to feature pink as the major theme! This brings me back to my main aim in life...to have everyone in a pink tutu. What will I see on stage, how will I incorporate pink into my wardrobe and most importantly what will be my next TutuTuesday post all about?!
Oh, darling, I can hardly wait! It's gonna be fabulous!
So until next week, keep those tutus twirling! Don't forget to follow me on my ballet journey - we'll be traveling back in time to discover more secrets and hidden gems of tutu history! See you next week!
TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #TimeTravel #London #PinkTutu #FashionWeek #SwanLake 🦢 💖