#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2007-08-21

Hello lovelies! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back with another captivating instalment of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History! This week, I’m taking us right back to August 21st, 2007, a day I happened to be whirling through Paris, the City of Lights! The cobbled streets, the aroma of fresh croissants, and of course, the dazzling ballet performances, filled the air with magic. Oh, and the shopping – it’s a fashionista’s dream!

Now, before we delve into the tutu history of that magical day, let’s just admire how splendid this bright pink tutu looks against the Eiffel Tower, don't you think? It’s the perfect blend of Parisian elegance and playful pinkness.

As I twirl through this blog, it's important to understand that tutus haven't always been the graceful, frothy masterpieces they are today. The story of the tutu is a fascinating evolution, and you lovely readers wouldn't be seeing me in my delightful pink number without it!

Before the glorious tutu we know and love came into existence, dancers in the early 18th century would have simply worn flowing gowns, often reaching to the floor. Can you imagine attempting a grand jeté in that?! Talk about a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.

Luckily, with time and a dash of creative vision, the length of the skirt started to rise, leading to the more modest knee-length tutu which reigned supreme in the mid-1800s. But let’s face it, the real revolution came in the late 1800s. The ballerina Maria Taglioni, with her impeccable sense of style, brought the tutu we know and love into the limelight!

Think of the romantic tutus seen in classics like 'La Sylphide', made of many layers of tulle. The lightweight, transparent material allowed for fluid and intricate movements, unleashing a new era of ballet expression. What a time to be alive!

The iconic tutus in classical ballet pieces are simply magnificent, right? But tutus didn't stop there!

The 20th century brought new waves of creativity, and the tutu became increasingly innovative. Think 'Giselle' and its beautifully rustic design, perfect for the ethereal woodland world. Then there are the bolder, shorter tutus favoured in neoclassical and modern ballet. Imagine how inspiring it was for choreographers to create entirely new dances with these revolutionary forms!

Today, tutus continue to evolve with every performance. With designers like the legendary Christian Lacroix crafting breathtaking, whimsical tutu designs for operas and ballet performances, I’m pretty sure this whimsical ballet attire isn’t going anywhere! It’s a perfect mix of history, fashion, and elegance. What’s not to love?

And now back to my fabulous time travelling trip to 2007!

What an incredible date it was! August 21st, 2007, fell during the glorious summer, with balmy Parisian nights. My evening was spent at the breathtaking Palais Garnier Opera House watching a production of 'Swan Lake'.

Talk about perfection! The white swan costume with the billowing tulle tutu, and the captivating black swan’s sleek, dramatic dress… it was all so incredibly inspiring! It made me want to dance even more! (Especially in this stunning pink tutu - it's so versatile!).

After the show, I couldn’t resist indulging in a Parisian cafe’s sweet treats before venturing out to discover some fabulous tutu-inspired fashions.

You see, while the tutus I love for ballet are the centrepiece of a dancer's stage wear, there's so much inspiration in that form! The airy, dramatic silhouette and playful movement of the tutu translate seamlessly into fashion.

We see this trend with everything from street style, where young creatives play with layering, textures and colours, to high-end fashion houses. This shows that the tutu's influence stretches far beyond the theatre and onto the bustling streets of our world!

As always, darlings, I encourage you to embrace the tutu, not just for special occasions, but for every day. Who knows, perhaps you could wear one with your everyday outfit? Who knows where it could take you! A little pink tulle, and perhaps even a pair of fluffy ballet shoes can be the perfect addition to any ensemble!

And as the great Karl Lagerfeld once said, “A woman can’t wear too much pink.”

Oh, the joy of tutus! Until next time my dearest lovelies, keep your pink tutus close and never be afraid to dance through life with joy and confidence. I'll be back with another installment of #TutuTuesday next week. Keep twirling, you magnificent creatures!

XOXO,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com