Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday post, ready to whisk you away on a whimsical journey through the history of our beloved tutu!
Oh my, this week I’ve been back to 22nd April 2008 – the day the gorgeous Phantom of the Opera musical (I’ve seen it a gazillion times, it never gets old!) had been running for 22 years at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. Imagine! They just don't make musicals like that anymore! I watched the show in my best pink tutu, and let me tell you, the gasps of admiration when I waltzed into the auditorium were phenomenal!
But back to the tutu's history, darlings! This time-travelling ballerina can’t help but feel like the humble tutu has become a bit of an unsung hero. You see, while ballerinas grace the stage in their ethereal, floaty forms, a certain level of comfort has become synonymous with these graceful garments. Imagine dancing those intricate pirouettes and leaps without the airy freedom that the tutu provides!
This week's adventure is taking us back to a time when tutus were just beginning to make their mark. We're talking 19th-century Paris, a hub of artistic revolution where creativity flowed like the Seine river! Can you picture it, dear readers? Ladies, in all their beautiful frills and lace, gathered to witness ballet masterpieces… but wait! Did those ladies have their own, delicate, yet stunning tutus for every occasion? Let's dive in!
The Pre-Tutu Era
It might surprise you to hear that the ballerina’s famous costume was born out of practical necessities! In the earlier days, dancers were essentially clad in layers upon layers of bulky silk and lace - quite impractical for the intricate movements that defined ballet!
Imagine trying to pirouette in a dress made of ten petticoats! You'd likely topple over before you even began! This, my dears, is when the idea of a streamlined silhouette – the first glimpse of our beloved tutu – began to emerge!
The Rise of the Romantic Tutu
In 1832, La Sylphide, a groundbreaking ballet about a mischievous fairy, premiered. With it, a radical new fashion statement was introduced – a simple skirt in the shape of a bell – so light, airy, and revealing for the time, that it shocked audiences and started a trend. This was the first ‘Romantic tutu' (or as the French would call it, the ‘tutu romantique') which would forever change the ballet world and help to create the ‘ballet’ we know today!
The new garment liberated the dancers' movements and created a vision of elegance and fluidity that captivated audiences. Just imagine! The ladies' costumes finally mirrored the lightness of the ballerinas’ spirits as they moved like butterflies in their graceful, ethereal dance. This was the birth of the graceful tutus we now take for granted!
The Classical Tutu and its Transformation
After the Romantic tutu's debut, the ‘tutu classique' (the tutu we’ve become so familiar with in the past centuries), was gradually developed – this time, made in multiple layers of stiffened fabric that gave the dress a rigid, tiered appearance. The idea? To add further visual drama, to show the dancers’ exquisite body lines, and allow the public to see even the most minute movement!
And oh my, it just gets more interesting. This rigid, bell-shaped, knee-length masterpiece, (or as we commonly call it - the classical tutu ), has a very unique feature - its stiff, multi-layered fabric allowed the ballerina's body to act as the canvas for her performance, emphasising and creating the elegant lines and patterns of their movements! Imagine, dear readers! The costume helped the dancer, not just in her movement but also in her storytelling! It’s quite magical, if you think about it.
The beauty of this time period was how tutus came to embrace various shades and colour combinations – delicate pastels, romantic pinks, luxurious golds – a symphony of shades perfectly paired with elegant jewellery and graceful, elegant ballerinas. How glorious and romantic were these dancers who floated across the stage, leaving audiences in awe!
Tutus Today and Why They're a Must-Have for Every Fashionista!
Oh my dears, the tutu has come a long way from those initial silk-laden layers! What we see today is a more streamlined, diverse garment that comes in all colours, shapes and styles – a far cry from the Victorian Era and the graceful simplicity of the early Romantic Era.
You see, a tutu’s history reflects the progression of fashion! In 1983, (it’s not so long ago! You can probably still recall it!) Mikhail Baryshnikov became the face of Tutus - he graced the covers of Life and Newsweek in a playful, pink, (because pink is always the best shade, my dears!), Romantic tutu. In doing so, this stunningly elegant performer embraced a new era - where even the great Baryshnikov found joy and power in this charming, feminine piece. This moment brought even more appreciation for the timeless elegance and undeniable joy this elegant costume provides!
And the good news is, darling, the tutu, in all its various forms, is no longer relegated to the dance floor! As a true symbol of fashion that speaks for itself, the tutu is embraced by everyone, everywhere! Designers have even used tutus to showcase an ever-evolving array of colours and designs, proving just how timeless and fabulous they are! From casual fashion statements (we've all seen a fabulous tulle skirt, haven't we?) to stunning prom dresses – a little hint of the ballet world is incorporated into everyday style, whether in a classic form or through a modern take on the tutu.
I'll admit that every fashionista’s closet should contain a little something special to keep the joy alive. Whether it be a fabulous ballerina pink, classic black, or a colour bursting with character – you just can’t go wrong with the tutu, my dears. There’s no better garment to turn heads, embrace individuality, and remind us of the wonder and beauty of dance!
And the best part, lovelies, is this… you can be your own fashion icon and bring back that graceful elegance with the right tutu! Now, don’t just leave it in your imagination – go for a fabulous time and experience the charm and timeless grace of the tutu!
Until next week, darlings, let's twirl in joy! Don't forget to share your #TutuTuesday photos on Instagram – you can find me on Instagram, by the way, at PinkTutuEmma – I can’t wait to see you all rocking those fabulous tutus. See you on next Tuesday!
Lots of love!
Emma
