Hello, lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back again with another #TutuTuesday! I'm currently standing in the glorious city of London, the heart of the ballet world, with a twirl-worthy view of the Royal Opera House, and a fabulously fabulous day planned, which includes (you guessed it!), a spot of ballet and, of course, a new pink tutu purchase!
This Tuesday, my ballet time-machine has deposited me right back into 2007, a year where ballet was experiencing a bit of a golden era, filled with brilliant new talent and, thankfully, still a bit of sparkle!
But, before I go shopping, let's take a little journey through the past to explore how the magical world of the tutu got to where it is today. And yes, I'll definitely be trying on a few styles later - so stay tuned!
The Ballet Tutu: From Simple Beginnings to Sparkling Stars
You know those little ballerinas, so adorable in their mini pink tutus? Well, those adorable costumes have a surprisingly long history - way beyond just 'dancing and looking pretty'! It all started back in the 16th century with a French king and a little something called "courtly dancing". Yes, you heard that right. The whole ballet world we love, from The Nutcracker to Swan Lake, began with a few lords and ladies wanting to look and feel their best on the dance floor!
Think of it like a ballet-themed party ā but a whole lot fancier. The early dances had beautifully crafted and elaborate costumes, with long skirts and fancy adornments, like a bit of a theatrical Renaissance fair, if you can imagine that!
The big game changer came in the late 17th century, during the time of the French Academy of Dance. This time period saw a bit of a 'ballet-overhaul' as they said goodbye to the bulky gowns and welcomed in something called a 'tunique'. Imagine, a much lighter, looser outfit that showed off more of the dancersā beautiful movements! Think of your comfy training dress ā only for a more fancy occasion!
Of course, a revolution doesnāt happen overnight, but a couple of key people are credited with developing the "tutu" as we know it. Marie Taglioni, a famous ballerina, became a true style icon and paved the way for what we call the Romantic tutu. Her white, gossamer tulle skirt was almost transparent ā making a huge impact on the world of ballet fashion. Think of it like the "little black dress" of the ballet world: iconic and elegant!
As ballet developed, new dance styles called for new, well, 'tutued' looks. A bit of an evolution, if you will. From the Romantic to the classical tutus with tiers, all of those amazing tutus are based on what the dance needed ā to help those amazing dancers make magic happen! But donāt just take my word for it! The tutus you see on the stage at the Royal Ballet today still feature some of these early ideas! Thereās just something timeless about those romantic silhouettes!
A Day at the Royal Ballet
I've finally made it! I'm in the hallowed halls of the Royal Opera House - just moments away from a mesmerising performance of "Swan Lake." Iāve got my heart set on one of those gorgeous "black swan" tutus - you know the ones, black feathers and all the drama, right? But first, let's talk a bit about whatās on stage tonight.
"Swan Lake", you see, is one of those big ballet pieces that almost everyone has heard of, with its amazing music and stories that draw us into the ballet world. This night Iāll be transported to a world of beautiful swan maidens and menacing villains with all that the Royal Balletās dancers bring to the stage ā all that dancing skill, passion and, of course, graceful style!
If youāve never seen "Swan Lake" ā well, do I need to say more? Honestly, put "Swan Lake" on your must-see ballet list ā this performance will make you want to be up there with those amazing ballet stars, taking a graceful turn around the stage yourself.
Tutues on the Streets?
But before I get swept up in āSwan Lakeā, I have to mention a very special "Tutu Tuesday" secret. The "Tutu Tuesday" blog isn't just about tutus onstage; itās about celebrating those amazing, creative, and stylish tutus you find on the streets of London, and even all over the world! I see a lot of my fellow tutu lovers showing their dance style every day ā the city streets have become the best runway!
Tutus have this special quality: they make people smile and just feel happy. Whether itās a bright pink tutu for an afternoon walk in the park or a tutu sparkling for a night on the town - I love to see my fellow ballet enthusiasts, both big and small, rocking it and celebrating all that's fantastic about ballet, wherever they are!
Itās amazing to see how people can express their unique style by mixing their tutu with other items of clothing: a casual t-shirt, a chic blazer or even a cool biker jacket! That's something that never fails to brighten my day ā I love the way tutu enthusiasts express their uniqueness in their personal styles!
A Peek into Tomorrow
This weekās been about "Swan Lake," history, and a little bit of fashion, so, naturally, you know what tomorrow's schedule looks like. Shopping! Oh yes, my pink tutu-loving friends, a quick trip around Harrods to find the perfect new pink tutu and to see how the world of high fashion and the world of ballet blend. Thatās what my time-traveling life is all about: seeing where fashion and art connect to create beautiful things for the world to enjoy!
That's all for today! Donāt forget, my dears, don't be shy; send in those photos and stories. Share what youāre doing in the world of ballet, where youāre enjoying your favourite tutus and those lovely times at your local dance classes! You know you can connect with me on all social media. Share that ballerina magic with the world! And donāt forget ā you can join me next Tuesday for more Tutu Tuesday adventures, a new historical twist on ballet, and even more pink!
See you next week for Tutu Tuesday #9162!
Love and Tutu, Emma xx
P.S. I'm in London, the heart of ballet, where Iāll be attending performances, checking out boutiques and exploring the city for everything sparkly. Keep checking back here and all social media, for live updates from my time travels and more pink tutu adventures!
