Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where everything is pink, sparkly, and most definitely involves a tutu! Today's #TutuTuesday is all about the fascinating history of this iconic garment. I've travelled back to the year 2008 – a time where the internet was just starting to become the behemoth it is today and all the exciting fashion trends were going viral on YouTube. I just popped into a gorgeous boutique and purchased the most exquisite pink tutu – you'll just have to see it! Anyway, enough about me! Let's get down to business: today's topic is tutus.
As always, you lovely lot can find my website at www.pink-tutu.com – why not pop by and give me a follow? I promise you'll have lots of fun there! My posts are my absolute favourite thing to create, and you're always welcome to join the conversation!
Now, I bet you’re all wondering how a little piece of fabric has made such a big impact in the world of dance and fashion, aren’t you? So let’s embark on a little journey through time to learn more…
The tutu, with its wispy layers of tulle, holds a special place in our hearts. And this incredible piece of costume history came into being surprisingly late in the timeline of dance. Think about it! You'd think a delicate and whimsical garment like this would be associated with ancient traditions like court dances or medieval performances, wouldn’t you? But the reality is, this airy piece of dance attire was actually invented quite recently, right in the midst of the 19th century!
We have the iconic ballet La Sylphide to thank for this gorgeous creation. Back in 1832, famed dancer Marie Taglioni needed a costume for the lead role. She envisioned a piece that would allow for free and effortless movement – think graceful leaps and light, fluttering steps – you know, the kind that leaves you completely in awe.
Instead of the restrictive costumes typical for that time, a revolutionary short, multi-layered skirt was designed. And just like that, the tutu was born. I must say, I was rather impressed when I saw this graceful design in the original drawings from the time. Even with a minimal number of layers, the way it captures the air with each movement is absolutely magical. And let’s face it, the tutu was certainly a far cry from the heavier, fuller skirts the ballerinas wore before – imagine being on pointe in a voluminous hoop skirt! Oh my.
But the history of the tutu doesn’t end there! From the original Romantic tutu of La Sylphide came other amazing forms that defined different dance styles. It seems every era came with its own flavour of the iconic skirt. For instance, we’ve got the Classical tutu, featuring many layers and a more pointed cone shape, favoured by ballerinas like the fabulous Margot Fonteyn, who was famous for her long limbs and graceful leaps. Imagine how absolutely incredible that would look onstage.
There was also the Romantic tutu with its shorter and softer look – much like the tutu that got me hooked on this dance form as a wee one! There was the more daring Neoclassical tutu which embraced a minimalistic design, perfect for the intricate footwork of Balanchine ballet – and lastly the Modern tutu – with its streamlined style for contemporary ballet.
With these incredible forms, you see, we started to have more variety in dance itself. Each different type of tutu was born for a different purpose! You could tell what sort of ballet performance you were going to see just from looking at the design of the costume! Talk about sartorial sophistication!
This little bit of costume history brought on another interesting trend, don’t you think? It definitely opened up the field for design – and what we consider to be acceptable forms of ballet expression. From this, there came different coloured tutus too – all depending on the ballet and the desired aesthetic!
For me, nothing can beat the classic look of a pristine white tutu – but I must say, there's a certain allure to the bold, striking impact of black and red too! My personal favourites have always been the ones with the pink tulle – I can never resist a bit of whimsy, don’t you agree?
So now, I know you're itching to get a glimpse of the magic for yourselves. I recommend you make your way to London. There is such a vibrant cultural scene in the city! You can enjoy a stunning show with an equally amazing array of costume designs – a veritable smorgasbord of ballet delights!
Today's date, June 24th, is all about taking in some culture, shopping, and enjoying a little bit of London glamour. Why not explore the Royal Opera House, catch the newest production at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, or just wander through the cobbled streets and take in the architectural wonder that surrounds you? Or even take a train journey across England and spend the afternoon admiring the breathtaking scenery of Derbyshire, a mere hop and a skip from my little hometown!
If you're anything like me, I am sure you will want to head straight to the shops afterward. What better way to celebrate this glorious history of the tutu than by investing in your own? Be bold, be playful, be YOU!
So my dearest darlings, as always, have a wonderful week, go out, and wear your tutus with confidence! And if you're in the area, be sure to come say hello and tell me about your #TutuTuesday!
Until next time, stay radiant!
Emma
#TutuTuesday
www.pink-tutu.com
Post number 9209
