#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2008-12-30

Hiya lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed time-travelling blogger, back with another blast from the past! Today's #TutuTuesday is all about the History of the Ballet Tutu - and what better date to dive into that than the 30th of December 2008?!

Honestly, it was a bit of a challenge to find a decent show to fund my latest time jump, but I stumbled upon a gorgeous rendition of "The Nutcracker" at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Absolutely stunning, I must say! And let me tell you, those tutus! The ballerinas were a vision, swishing around in fluffy white layers like fluffy, ethereal clouds. Pure magic.

But, speaking of "The Nutcracker," let's talk tutus!

Imagine a world without tutus! I mean, gasp - how would ballerinas show off their graceful movements?! Tutus have been a part of the ballet world for ages, but it wasn't always about dramatic swirling layers of tulle and elegant movement. In fact, the story of the tutu is almost as fascinating as the ballet itself!

Way back in the 16th century, the tutu’s ancestor was a kind of floor-length, bell-shaped skirt called the verdugado. Fancy name, right? This big, billowing garment allowed for plenty of dramatic, flowing movements - think ballroom dancing in the time of royalty, but with a ballet twist.

The 19th century saw a major transformation in the world of tutus. Marie Taglioni, a legend of the dance world (seriously, this woman was a star!), introduced the first version of what we now know as the Romantic tutu. This sleek and super-short number (think ballerina legs for days!) showed off every twirl, every leap, and every step with incredible elegance.

You might be wondering why it was so important to be able to see the ballerinas' legs in those days. Well, this change happened right alongside a new approach to ballet where gracefulness and lightness were highly valued. Ballerinas needed to show off their graceful movements and flexibility, and the Romantic tutu was a crucial part of making this artistic vision come true!

And speaking of artistic visions…

The tutu has gone through a whole lot of evolution, and it isn't just about length. We've seen different cuts and colours used in every way imaginable, creating a real ballet fashion revolution.

The tutu en pointe we see so much today really got its start in the early 20th century - that classic, cone-shaped design that's perfect for showing off every single jump and spin! This style gave a ballerina’s figure an incredibly feminine and delicate appearance, and the extra volume added another level of movement, adding more dimension and interest to even the most simple steps.

For example, just take a look at George Balanchine, one of the biggest names in modern ballet! He completely changed the concept of the tutu, focusing on a sleek, almost geometric look. You could call him a tutu avant-garde, experimenting with structure and colours to give the dancers an almost sculptural form. Just remember the "The Four Temperaments" and you'll see exactly what I mean - stunning and bold tutus that highlight the unique form of a dancer’s body. It's art in motion!

Then there's the rise of the coloured tutu, breaking away from the white and black aesthetic of ballet’s early days. Imagine bold, hot pink and emerald green tutus - these hues brought the colours of the stage to the dancers themselves, creating an utterly electric energy! This trend gave choreographers an extra tool for expression, giving more personality and storytelling to the dancers through their costume.

Honestly, it's a little hard to imagine what ballet would be like without tutus! It’s more than just a costume – it's a symbol of creativity, freedom, and a kind of magic that transports us to a world where even everyday life can be full of beautiful dance.

It’s the joy of watching the twirling and the floating, the elegant extension of a leg, and the feeling of being transported into an utterly beautiful world. It's a real inspiration to me to travel and witness this beauty firsthand! And with my blog, it’s my mission to spread that passion for all things ballet and to share my love for tutus with everyone!

So, don’t be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina – whether you’re rocking a classic pink tutu or simply twirling around in your favorite skirt – remember to wear your inner tutu every day!

Until next time, stay tutu-fabulous, my lovely dancers!

Lots of love,

Emma

(Remember, my little pink tutu fashionistas! I only fund my time-traveling adventures through ballet performances - so the more I dance, the more I travel! If you’re in London on Saturday, come find me at the Royal Opera House, I’m always excited to meet a fellow tutu enthusiast! Let’s make a show together!)