Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another #TutuTuesday journey through the magical history of this most beautiful garment. This week, I've found myself whisked away to a sunny Tuesday, the 10th of July, 2007, and oh my, what a fashion adventure awaits us!
First off, can we just appreciate how wonderfully chic 2007 was? We had the iconic iPods, the first iPhone, and – my personal favourite – the revival of those darling 50s fashion trends that meant a little more frill, a little more femininity, and a whole lot of fabulousness. Oh, the glorious era of the floral tea dresses, petticoats, and let’s not forget, those utterly adorable ballet-inspired looks! I swear, my wardrobe is practically groaning with tulle from those glorious days.
Now, in 2007, the world of ballet was abuzz. The Royal Ballet was about to grace the stage with a captivating rendition of Giselle. Just imagine – an ethereal tale of a young woman, heartbroken and turned into a spectral creature, with dancing so intricate, so light, so utterly captivating. It’s a story that makes you believe in love, in loss, and the magic that lingers even when we are gone. Of course, I’m dreaming of travelling back to see this show. There's nothing quite like the live magic of a ballet performance – the dancers in their exquisite costumes, the breathtaking music, the hush that falls upon the audience as the curtain rises… Oh, I'm getting swept away in nostalgia already!
And you know what really brings it all together? You guessed it! A spectacular tutu! This week's #TutuTuesday delves deep into the evolution of this fabulous ballet staple, taking us back to the heart of Romantic ballet. We’re talking Marie Taglioni, the queen of lightness and ethereal grace, who captivated the Parisian audience with her effortless leaps and those billowing tutus, so light and airy, like a breath of fresh air.
They were completely different from the tutus we know and love today! Instead of the tight, stiff shapes we're accustomed to, Romantic ballerinas favoured flowing, ethereal skirts, usually constructed with multiple layers of tulle for a wonderfully billowing effect. Imagine dancing with layers upon layers of tulle flowing around you like a cloud! I'd say it takes a certain amount of skill to not get tangled! But just the image of it is enough to make my heart sing.
The Romantics took inspiration from folk dancing, incorporating their airy style of movement. Think twirling, graceful, effortless movement – it was all about showcasing the dancer’s artistry. They believed in allowing the dancer’s body to flow naturally with the music and embrace freedom of movement, hence those wonderfully airy tutus! They were like a dream, ethereal and delicate. And you know me, I just love a touch of dreamy femininity in my fashion.
This period also saw the rise of "la danseuse légère", the light dancer, an expression that beautifully encompasses the essence of the Romantic ballet era. This concept was about grace and beauty. It championed long, sweeping movements and delicate leaps, the essence of feminine elegance. The dancers became even lighter than a feather on stage. Their ethereal movements felt like floating dreams, and who doesn’t love a good dream?!
However, it wasn't just about aesthetics. This movement of Romantic ballet also represented a broader cultural shift. In the 19th century, the industrial revolution was booming, transforming society at breakneck speed. While men were rushing into the factory and leaving behind their old lifestyles, women remained homebound and longing for change. And with ballet at its centre, a sense of freedom, femininity, and elegance was finally embraced and celebrated. It felt like an expression of liberation.
But in that era of burgeoning change, Romantic ballet began to evolve. The focus shifted slightly to highlight strength and technical skill, and guess what? A new type of tutu was born! A tutu with a structured, corseted design, more like the ones we see on stage today, that would be worn by legendary dancers like Carlotta Grisi who was famed for her virtuosity and the precision of her technique, a move away from the romantic aesthetic of her contemporaries.
Think **Giselle and its legacy, the enduring influence of that iconic Romantic ballet still lives on. It laid the foundation for the tutus we adore today! It taught the importance of artistic vision, the celebration of beauty and lightness, and the graceful, delicate nature of a dance style that captivates and delights us even today.
You see, the history of ballet, my lovelies, is a captivating journey, just like fashion. From the sweeping Romantic skirts to the tighter, more structured styles of the classical ballet world, the tutu has undergone its own metamorphosis – reflecting the times, evolving and adapting to changing trends, and celebrating those gorgeous lines and graceful curves of a dancer’s body.
Don't forget to keep checking back every Tuesday for your weekly dose of #TutuTuesday, because I'll be bringing you all the enchanting tales of this magical garment – its history, its style, and the countless beautiful ballet productions that brought it to life. Until then, why not take a peek at www.pink-tutu.com where you'll find loads of beautiful tutu designs, from modern to traditional.
Stay fabulous, darling readers, and always remember, every day is a reason to put on your own personal tutu, whether it’s a full-length tulle dream or simply a splash of pink in your outfit! I want to see every one of you rocking a little bit of tutued magic.
