#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2009-03-24

Hello my darling Tutu Twirlers! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-adoring blogger Emma back again with another #TutuTuesday journey through the fascinating history of the most wonderful dancewear invention ever - the tutu!

This week, we're taking a trip to… well, nowhere specifically! But don't worry, we'll be hopping between exciting places thanks to the magic of time travel. As you know, my little time machine is fuelled by the love of ballet, and today we're taking a look back at the tutus of a rather revolutionary period.

The year is 2009. A time when High School Musical was a massive hit, Lady Gaga was ruling the charts, and everyone was going wild for "the iPhone". But what about ballet? Oh darling, there was still so much fabulousness happening in the dance world. And guess what? It all revolves around… you guessed it, TUTUS!

You see, 2009 was a fascinating time for ballet tutus. This is when tutus really started to take centre stage. Not just as a necessity for graceful performances, but as fashion icons in their own right! You might think a tutu is a tutu, but trust me, dear reader, there’s an awful lot to see. The world of the tutu had a serious style upgrade!

To make it easier to navigate, we're gonna dive into 2009 and look at the amazing innovations, the dazzling styles, and the absolute legends of the tutu. Think of it as a quick tour around the “best of the best” when it comes to tutu fashion.

Firstly, we've gotta celebrate the incredible American Ballet Theatre. This American gem held one of my absolute favourite shows on March 24th - "Giselle". Now, Giselle isn't new by any means, it's a classic! It's full of emotion, love, betrayal, and (of course) exquisite tutus. But, on this particular date, I was completely enchanted by Diana Vishneva - just seeing her dance was pure magic! I mean, have you seen her legs in that iconic romantic tutu? Oh, darling, those legs just keep going forever - just stunning. This performance really took my breath away.

And we can't forget about the Royal Opera House - those iconic costumes, the soaring music, the dramatic dancing - the Royal Opera House truly sets the scene for fabulous tutu fashion. They never fail to put on a dazzling show and on this very date, we've got a treat in store. "Le Corsaire", that legendary ballet is packed full of colourful tutus, lots of swirling, glittering tulle, and it's just oozing with visual elegance. And they have a phenomenal ballet dancer called Marianela Nunez, she’s absolutely breathtaking. Le Corsaire is, by far, one of my favourite tutus in the world! It’s just so beautifully dramatic - I could watch that dance forever and ever.

And as if these fabulous shows weren't enough, we also have a fantastic event happening just today - The Prix de Lausanne. It’s one of the biggest ballet competitions around, it happens in Switzerland, and they have some of the most impressive tutus you can imagine. We are talking serious skill. It's where the next generation of ballet stars get to show off their moves - and their tutus! Imagine being young, full of dreams, and performing with a tutu on in front of some of the most respected figures in ballet… that’s pressure! So much exciting stuff, and I think 2009 is going to see some revolutionary tutus from some brilliant, rising stars!

Now, let’s look at what the world of tutu design was up to back in 2009. Because remember, while the romantic classics were already doing their thing, this is also the period when things started changing fast in the tutu world. This is the year we've got to thank for bold colours! Don't be surprised if you're seeing some beautiful deep reds, emerald greens, vibrant blues and even black on the stage. Black is just the best for tutus, so chic. The modern designers were putting some seriously stylish looks together, think modern, sleek lines for the dancers, and gorgeous materials. Forget dusty old traditional designs - we're talking about a fresh new wave of tutu fashion.

It wasn't just colours - this is when movement in tutus took centre stage! The romantic tutu, like you see in Giselle, well, those beautiful skirts flowed with every move. This time we see contemporary tutus which are more sculptural, they hold their own shape as the dancer moves - they are bold, powerful, and breathtaking. It was like watching the dance world reinvent itself, and I was lucky to be in the audience for it. I can still remember that sense of excitement, the sense that the stage was transforming.

2009 wasn't just a time for innovative designs and incredible performances - it was the year the world went tutu crazy! That’s right, it wasn't just on stage that we were seeing tutus…

It’s true - you see them everywhere these days! Remember Tutus On Tour? That event back in March 2009 was absolutely epic. It had an unbelievable lineup of tutus. My dear friends from the Royal Ballet Academy were out in full force. That tour brought tutus to every city across the country. They took tutu history on the road, everyone was wearing tutus. You had families at a performance, little ones were even taking ballet classes wearing the tiniest little tutus, and that's the beauty of the tutu: it’s timeless! You can find the perfect one for everyone, it’s about so much more than ballet, it’s about embracing the beauty of everything.

And let’s talk about shopping for tutus! Because darling, believe me, every girl has been there. And in 2009, tutu shopping reached new heights! I can still remember going shopping for the ultimate pink tutu at all the shops back in Derbyshire… so many fabulous ones. We had all the colours: pale peach, bright cerise, and (of course!) my favourite, shocking pink. And don’t get me started on the fabrics! Velvet, chiffon, layers of beautiful silk tulle – just pure tutu magic.

Remember that every girl, everywhere, should have a pink tutu! I even used to love to buy tutus just to look at - they were like little works of art. They're so wonderfully frivolous, it’s impossible not to feel happy wearing one! And there is always a special occasion that’s begging to have a tutu added to the dress code.

And just imagine this: You're on a train to London - imagine being a girl in her 20s, on her way to a ballet show. A huge train journey and, what did I pack? Yes, my little suitcase had an extra pink tutu packed for the perfect photo opportunity on that big red double-decker train to the station. It wasn’t the only one - I had at least five with me.

Remember darlings, the best thing about tutus? It’s more than a costume. It’s more than something you wear. It's something you feel inside! The next time you see a tutu on the stage, I want you to feel the joy of dancing - imagine your own twirls!

Oh, I could write forever about my darling tutus - but it's time for this little ballerina to get going. After all, I have a ballet show to catch - there are plenty of tutus out there that need to be admired, loved, and admired.

So go on, darling, be adventurous, be yourself, and remember to twirl.

Until next #TutuTuesday, darling, twirl with joy,

Emma.

Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @pinktutuemma for more of my daily tutu adventures!