Welcome back, darling! It's your favourite #TutuTuesday, and today we're twirling back to the shimmering world of 16th December 2008! Can you believe it? We're back in the year 2008, and let me tell you, tutus are absolutely flying!
This week, I took a little train journey down to London, darling. Now, you know me, I can't resist a little shopping trip when I'm in town, and what could be more delightful than picking out a new tutu? I stumbled upon the most darling boutique tucked away on Bond Street. Their collection was divine, with pink lace and shimmering tulle in every imaginable shade, darling. It felt like a magical little fairytale!
Speaking of magic, did you know that 16th December 2008 marked the start of the Royal Ballet's annual Nutcracker season? I was so lucky to be able to snatch tickets to a performance that week, and oh darling, let me tell you, it was an absolute triumph!
The ballet was simply exquisite. The dancers were effortlessly graceful, their tutus swirling with every arabesque. I nearly burst with delight watching Clara dream of the land of sweets and her little adventures with the Nutcracker. I'm absolutely convinced I saw a pink tutu shimmer in the Christmas tree during the grand pas de deux. You know, just like we do!
It really made me think about the journey of the tutu over time, darlings. And today, it feels like the world has truly embraced its fabulousness! Every single performance, whether it's at a grand theatre like Covent Garden or a local school production, feels so magical with the grace and glamour of the tutu.
Now, let's rewind a little bit, darlings, and talk about the evolution of this extraordinary piece of dance attire.
A Tale of Twirling: Tutu TimelineYou see, darling, the tutu has a long and storied past. And it all began, you wouldn't believe it, back in the 19th century.
Now, the very first tutus were rather different to what we see today. They were these lovely flowing gowns called "romantiques". Think flowing chiffon and graceful drapes. Romantic, wouldn't you agree?
But darling, around the 1840s, everything changed with the real queen of the tutu, Marie Taglioni. Oh darling, she was so innovative, she's like my ballet hero. Imagine a single dancer, a shimmering white tutu with just four layers, floating across the stage. It was revolutionary! This became the foundation for the "classical" tutu, a symbol of grace and lightness that we love today.
After that, darling, tutus took off! Every ballet dancer wore one, they became essential for performances, and different variations began to evolve, too. You had the "tutu-pannièr", the "tutu-cachemire", even the "tutu-fichu" - oh, the names just keep getting more delightful!
Then came the tutu as we know it - a multi-layered, tulle dream with the most amazing romantic feel. It truly embodies the magic of dance. We have come a long way from the graceful gowns of the early days.
Now darling, the 20th century has really embraced the versatility of the tutu, and this is my favourite part! The "bell-shaped tutu", a style worn by dancers like the divine Margot Fonteyn, became a staple, but it wasn't just the ballet, darling! The tutu went beyond the stage and entered the world of fashion! Designers, those darling souls, picked it up and started using it to create beautiful couture gowns for everyone, even little girls in the 50s and 60s who wanted to wear their own tutu on their birthday! Isn't that sweet?
Pink Perfection!Oh darling, how could we forget pink? From its early days in the ballet world, it’s been the colour for the tutu, and we all know, it truly reflects that feminine joy we all feel. Imagine a little girl, your little girl, a true princess in a perfect pink tutu, dancing like she's in a beautiful fairyland. It's so special, and it makes my heart sing, it really does.
But beyond pink, darlings, the 20th century saw a rainbow of tutu variations! Every single one of them brought something magical to the world of ballet. Can you imagine a vibrant blue tutu swirling across the stage in "Swan Lake"? Or a fiery red one expressing the fiery passion of "Don Quixote"? It truly makes each dance special, unique and brings even more of that ballet magic to every stage.
Today, darling, tutus continue to be a beautiful statement in the world of dance.
This week, the tutus have taken centre stage on our trip back to the beautiful world of 2008, a year full of tutus twirling gracefully at performances, shops buzzing with tutus to create beautiful ballerina fantasies and ballet magazines bursting with tutus in all their glory. We may be on this magical time-travelling journey, darling, but what a glorious place the world of ballet tutus will always be!
Oh darling, as always, do join me next week for another #TutuTuesday! I’m off to a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre, let's see what adventures await us there! But for now, I simply adore your delightful comments!
Stay fabulous and remember, darling, to always dance to your own rhythm!
Love, Emma x
