#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2008-02-05

Hiya, lovelies! It’s Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, ready to whisk you back in time to explore the enchanting history of the ballet tutu. This Tuesday, we’re heading to the fabulous February 5th, 2008, so grab your tea, put on your prettiest pink frock, and let's step into the world of tulle and twirls!

Today marks the anniversary of a very special performance! Just a few weeks ago, the Royal Ballet put on an absolute corker of a production of "La Sylphide" at the Royal Opera House. It was absolutely divine! I managed to snag myself a front-row seat, and let me tell you, it was pure magic. The delicate, romantic story of a young woman lured by a mischievous spirit, played out before my very eyes, all thanks to those fabulous dancers, their shimmering costumes and the mesmerizing music. Speaking of costumes...

The Tutu: A History in a Twirl

Where would we be without the glorious tutu? A symbol of ballet and elegance, this fluffy masterpiece has its own rich history, full of delightful little twists and turns (just like a twirl, of course!). I find it fascinating how this symbol of grace has evolved over time.

We must thank the French Romantic era for our favourite fluffy dance garment! You see, ballet back then was all about being airy and ethereal. Think dainty, floating movements, a departure from the heavier, more stately style of the past. The ladies, in their lovely dresses, felt restricted! They wanted freedom, freedom to move like a butterfly. And so, the original tutu, in the shape of a very, very full skirt, emerged as the ultimate symbol of romantic movement.

The famous ballerina Marie Taglioni was the first to don a revolutionary short skirt in 1832. She was a visionary, an angel dancing on stage, and it's no surprise that her signature, “a-line” tulle skirt took the dance world by storm! It's fair to say, Marie Taglioni sparked a revolution of dancewear! It was all about showing off the elegant lines of the female figure and revealing the graceful leaps and turns. The tutu, a true icon of dance, had arrived!

It took another few decades to perfect this lovely invention, as they transitioned to the "Romantic tutu" – with a shape a little closer to what we see today. You can still find variations on these older tutus, like the “bell-shaped tutu”, the "fringe tutu", or the “Romantic tutu” where a short overskirt drapes around the hips and flows during the performance. But for me, nothing beats the beautiful “Classical tutu" - short, with several layers of tulle, allowing for perfect movement and endless possibilities for those elegant pirouettes. It's like a dream come true for the eye and soul!

Oh, and we must mention, of course, the colour! You see, tutus have been more than just dancewear. They've been a platform for fashion expression too! For a very long time, it was all about white or ivory. But as dance evolved and challenged convention, so did colours and styles! Today, there's a dazzling array of colours and variations. My personal favourite, as you all know, is a dazzling pink. It’s the most uplifting colour in the world, perfect for the pure joy and joy of dance.

Beyond the Stage: Tutu Style in 2008

The magic of the tutu, of course, goes beyond the dance studio. These days, tutus are truly taking the world by storm! Think fashion designers, high street labels and the streets themselves. It’s wonderful seeing how that romantic spirit that inspires the tutu, now inspires a new wave of style.

Back in 2008, the "tutu trend" was blooming in the fashion world. Even fashion icon, Kate Moss, sported a tutu in an ad campaign! This was truly the year of the tutu, with many designers, from couture to the high street, playing with that classic tulle, and creating gorgeous skirts that felt fresh and feminine. I myself remember buying a fantastic pair of pink glitter ballet pumps back then that I wore with every opportunity. Who doesn't love a little sparkle with a tutu, right?

So whether it’s for a ballet class or just a day out in London, I love seeing how women of all ages embraced the tutu and added a dash of dance magic to their wardrobes. It just shows you that the magic of ballet, of freedom and elegance, is truly infectious!

A Little Time Travel Talk

You know, as a tutu enthusiast, being able to travel through time has truly opened up a whole new world. Imagine seeing tutus in all their glory, in their history, the colours, the shapes - it’s mind blowing. My passion for tutus and the joy I get from watching the elegance of ballet are what truly drive my little adventures. This time travelling life isn’t easy!

So, how do I do it? Well, it's a little bit of a secret. But, I do have a very reliable travelling companion… let’s just say a tutu-loving friend from a certain era has gifted me an unusual object. Let's just call it a sparkling box for now! You see, sometimes the only way to travel through time, and get to watch those marvellous ballerinas of old… is by sharing their dance magic through a performance. I simply channel that energy, and hop, skip and jump to another time! The important thing is, that every time, I get to return home to the best era for tutus of all: now.

Stay Tutu-tiful, Darlings!

Well, my dear lovelies, that’s it for this week's Tutu Tuesday. Hope you enjoyed taking a step back in time and discovered something new about the magic of the tutu! Until next time, keep twirling and stay fashion-forward, always remembering the joy of movement and the elegance of ballet.

I’m off to indulge in a cup of tea and maybe try a new recipe that’ll make me the envy of Derbyshire. But before I go, tell me! What's your favourite tutu moment, historical or present day? What colour would you love to twirl in? Leave a comment below and let’s spread that tutu magic together.

Until next week,

Emma xx