Hello lovelies!
It’s your favourite tutu-tastic blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday dive into the delightful world of ballet history! Today, we’re going to travel back to September 23rd, 2008, a time when tutus were as fashionable as ever, but perhaps not as widely accepted as they are now (I mean, we're working on that, aren't we?).
I travelled by train to London, a place brimming with the magic of the stage! I popped into a lovely tea room on Piccadilly for a cuppa and some Victoria sponge before heading off to a ballet performance at the Royal Opera House.
You won’t believe what they were showcasing - The Royal Ballet’s stunning production of “Giselle”! It's always an absolute joy to witness this classic masterpiece, a tale of tragic love and dancing spirits. Seeing the graceful, ethereal movement of the ballerinas in their beautifully flowing tutus simply takes my breath away.
Oh, and guess what was happening in the world back in 2008? It was the Olympic Games in Beijing! Can you imagine the thrill of the athletic feats, all that passion and determination, wrapped up in the beauty and elegance of ballet. Now that is truly a remarkable connection between sports and the art of movement!
So, what about tutus themselves? Let's travel a little further back in time, before that glamorous evening in London.
Tutus - From The Stage to the Streets!
We're stepping back to 1832, and Paris. This is where our story starts, with the revolutionary tutus worn in "La Sylphide". A fluffy, soft, tulle tutu - designed to evoke the ethereal beauty of a woodland spirit, and give the dancer complete freedom of movement. You could say it’s the foundation for all the fantastic designs we see today!
From that first glimpse on stage, the tutu went on to make its mark on the ballet world, captivating audiences and inspiring fashion trends. Its airy, romantic spirit has graced the stage, evolving over the years to create variations like the Classical, Romantic, and the more dramatic, shorter tutu.
I even heard a rumour that Queen Victoria had a custom-made tutu for her dancing performances! Imagine a Queen spinning in tulle – absolutely splendid, darling!
Tutus, fashion, and a bit of rebellion...
What would ballet be without these delightful tulle creations? But what I love most about tutus is how they’ve evolved and become more than just a dance costume. They’ve made their way to the street and into the realm of high fashion - seen in everything from red carpets and fashion magazines to independent designer clothing lines!
There’s a beautiful spirit of rebellion too - a bold, independent sense of self-expression that challenges conventional fashion norms. Seeing a tutu in a shop window, or a stylish individual strutting it on the street - that's magic.
It just shows how much power tutus have to spark creativity, embrace individuality, and express the unique, vibrant essence of each and every person who dares to wear them!
The Tutu Challenge!
Do you know what else I find remarkable? Back in 2008, there wasn't really a dedicated “#TutuTuesday.” But I can just imagine if there was... the Twitter and Instagram accounts overflowing with pictures of people in tutus, bloggers and vloggers, all sharing their stories, tips, and insights!
So, here's a thought, my lovely tutu-loving friends! We need more tutus on the streets - more tutu challenges to make tutus an everyday essential!
You can try a little twirl in your own pink tutu or embrace a creative interpretation. Let's fill the streets with laughter, smiles, and a little bit of tutu-powered confidence!
Oh, and let's not forget! Keep a lookout for our new tutu design competition. The winner gets to join me on my next time-traveling tutu adventure! More details coming soon, darling!
Until next week, keep dancing and stay beautiful!
Lots of love, Emma
xxx
P.S. Join me on my website www.pink-tutu.com and follow my tutu-tastic journey!
