Hello my lovely tutu-lovers! Emma here, ready to whisk you away on another journey through the glamorous world of tutus! This week we're going all out, celebrating the history of this most glorious garment. So settle in with your pinkest cuppa (did someone say "Earl Grey" with a slice of Victoria sponge?), put on your favourite tutu, and get ready for a whirl through time!
Now, where to even start with the story of tutus? As a Derbyshire girl at heart, I like to imagine a fairytale setting: picture rolling hills, the wind whispering through a sun-dappled forest, and a group of fairies swirling in the breeze, their tutus shimmering in the light. Ok, so that’s a bit too whimsical for a history lesson. Let's dive into the facts!
The tutu we know and love today actually began its journey way back in the Romantic ballet period, a time of dreamy music and swirling, ethereal choreography. Think Giselle and La Sylphide – these were the ballets that set the scene for the rise of the tutu.
Before then, ballet dancers donned cumbersome skirts and corsets, more akin to ball gowns than anything we see today. But imagine those ladies attempting a grand jeté – they'd have needed the strength of Hercules to keep those cumbersome layers from dragging them down!
Then came the revolution. In the 1840s, designer Charles Worth, renowned for his haute couture, introduced a more practical, lighter skirt: the “tutu.” This short, puffed, and form-fitting garment, with its flowing tulle layers, freed the dancers, allowing them to fly through the air with graceful ease. Talk about a design game changer!
Now, picture a tutu of that era. A true vintage piece, likely with more layers than you could imagine. It wouldn’t be a vibrant, playful pink like you see today; those were the days of the demure ballerina, dressed in shades of white, pale blue, or pastel pink. A far cry from the bold colours and intricate embellishments we see on today's stage!
The evolution didn't stop there. The mid-20th century saw the rise of the Romantic Tutu – longer, layered, and airy. Think Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty - the classics! The ballet world fell head-over-heels for its romantic flair, and I can’t say I blame them. I’m absolutely smitten with the swirling elegance of these traditional tutus.
Then, like a dazzling pirouette, a whole new type of tutu emerged: the Classical Tutu. Imagine the modern dancer, with her powerful athleticism and expressive technique – it was this need for flexibility that inspired the shorter, fitted style. With a smaller, tighter skirt, dancers were given a freer range of movement, allowing them to show off their every turn, jump, and leap!
Fast forward to today, and the world of the tutu is a veritable explosion of creativity. From the iconic tulle to silk and even the odd bit of feathers and beads – these modern tutus are veritable works of art, blending practicality and aesthetics. The designers of today are fearless, pushing the boundaries with colour, shape, and texture – and, frankly, I love it!
So, you ask, what is a fashionista doing on April 8th, 2008? Why, celebrating a truly amazing piece of dance history, of course! It was on this very date that the acclaimed dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp presented her innovative, "evolving" ballet Nine Sinatra Songs at the Joyce Theater in New York. This extravaganza used not just one type of tutu, but an entire kaleidoscope of tutus, showcasing a truly modern take on this timeless design!
As a fellow fashion-loving dance enthusiast, I am always drawn to the way that designers seamlessly blend the past and present, resulting in tutus that are both stylish and striking. Just as Tharp blended styles in Nine Sinatra Songs, designers are continually pushing the boundaries. We have to thank those visionaries who dared to change the norm!
But it’s not just on the stage where we see the allure of tutus. Today’s trend is taking tutu-mania off the stage and onto the street! The modern ballerina embraces a versatile approach to the tutu, whether it's a sassy, urban take on the street style scene, or the ever-popular vintage look that pops up at vintage-inspired events and fashion shows.
It’s been a long and beautiful journey, but as the world’s tutu queen, I want to keep it going! Join me every Tuesday for our Tutu Tuesday celebrations! Tell us what tutus have been rocking your world! What’s your favourite type of tutu? Let me know in the comments. And remember, my lovelies, no outfit is complete without a splash of pink. So embrace your inner diva and wear your tutu with pride!
And until next week, remember to twirl, twirl, twirl!
Your Tutu-Loving friend,
Emma xx
