Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you back in time with another dose of #TutuTuesday! Today's journey finds us in August 2009, the air is buzzing with the scent of freshly cut grass, and the sun is peeking through the lace curtains of the rehearsal studio. We're in the heart of Paris, a city synonymous with style, art, and oh, of course, ballet! What better place to talk about the evolution of the tutu, a piece of costume that has captured imaginations for centuries?
As I step off the Eurostar and onto the platform, a wave of excitement washes over me. This is Paris! I can practically feel the whispers of past ballets and the echoing applause from generations of enthralled audiences.
Right now, the fashion scene is ablaze with colour. It's a joyous mix of bold hues, geometric prints, and statement pieces. I spotted a beautiful bright fuchsia dress paired with a structured, pink leather jacket on my way here - what a fantastic pairing, I must say! It made my heart flutter - it would look utterly divine paired with a soft pink tutu, don't you think?
Anyway, let's get back to tutus. I love a bit of Parisian chic, so where better to talk about the origins of this iconic ballet garment? While a few historians suggest the tutus origins are tied to the flamboyant 16th century, the story we all know starts a bit later. It was in the mid-19th century that tutus started to truly blossom.
The ballerina Carlotta Grisi is credited with pioneering the modern look. With her performance in “La Sylphide” in 1832, she took to the stage in a revolutionary, short skirt – it was revolutionary in terms of both costume and movement. It showcased the leg movements in a way that simply wasn't possible before, leading to the airy and graceful ballet style we associate with this type of costume.
But we don't want to stop at just one style, do we? The ballet world is like a rainbow of tulle - and just like that, we saw several variations of the tutu:
The Romantic Tutu (our beloved Grisi, the trendsetter) was the pioneer of this classic look - the epitome of airiness and delicacy. It flowed, layered with tiers of tulle to create an ethereal cloud-like effect. It’s truly a look that captures the heart of romance.
The Classical Tutu with its smooth, form-fitting bodice and a tiered, billowing skirt, emerged later, during the middle of the 19th century, this one allowed for more complex and dynamic movements. This was truly a statement piece, capturing the grandeur of classical ballet. You just have to see it once on stage - it takes my breath away.
The ‘Pavlova’ Tutu - we are moving forward a bit now into the 20th century - the “Pavlova,” a longer and softer style made famous by the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova. It was perfect for displaying a wide range of graceful movements and still felt classic and timeless.
And last but not least, The Modern Tutu – in the last half-century, ballet costume has experimented with more dramatic forms and contemporary shapes.
I’m in love with how tutus have evolved to accentuate and embrace different movements and forms in ballet. It's the perfect illustration of how fashion reflects the world around it. This month's show at the Opera Garnier will feature an innovative ballet piece using modern interpretations of these classical looks, featuring sparkling modern tulle fabrications with asymmetric skirts - I'm so excited to see the designers bring these amazing designs to life.
Speaking of Parisian Chic:
Remember my fuchsia dress and leather jacket inspiration? You simply can’t be in Paris without soaking in the sights and sounds. Today is the 25th August. I've been working my way through the most delectable treats, wandering through Parisian markets overflowing with the finest fabrics, and even picking up some sparkly hair ribbons. My latest find? A divine satin hat with a big, floppy tulle bow in pink! (I might be just a teensy bit biased towards pink - after all, it’s the colour of joy!) This Parisian look is utterly on-trend. The delicate lace designs, luxurious textures, and soft colours, so inspiring! I can't wait to weave a bit of Parisian magic into my next tutu creations!
Of course, it’s impossible to be in Paris without seeing some world-class ballet. I'll be spending my evening at the Palais Garnier, it’s absolutely breathtaking – every detail is exquisitely ornate and opulent. I think a tutu is mandatory for the ultimate Parisian ballet experience! I'll let you know all about the show in next week’s post, and in the meantime, do send your own Parisian chic ballet tips and thoughts. And remember, a pink tutu can be the perfect accessory for any ballet-inspired ensemble!
Happy dancing, Emma
