#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2010-03-23

Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite tutu-loving time-travelling fashionista, ready to whisk you away on another #TutuTuesday adventure!

This week, I’m pulling on my trusty pink tutu and stepping aboard the Orient Express, heading back to the year 2010. What’s the buzz you ask? Well, it’s a time of tutus galore! From the Paris Opera Ballet to the Royal Ballet in London, the stage was set for a dazzling display of tulle and elegance.

2010 marked a time of innovation and tradition. Designers were exploring new materials, pushing boundaries, and still respecting the timeless elegance of the tutu. And just a little heads up, we’re in for some delightful fashion treats - just imagine delicate chiffons, flowing silks, and oh, those feather boas!

But before we hop into a whirlwind of dance and fashion, let’s take a quick trip down tutu history lane!

From Ballet Basics to Balletic Beauties

You know how much I adore tutus, but did you know their story begins centuries ago?

Before the tutus we know and love today, dancers wore long, flowing skirts that hampered movement! Thankfully, Marie Taglioni, a revolutionary ballerina of the 19th century, had a bright idea. She shortened the skirt and – BAM! – the tutu as we know it, was born!

Over time, we saw different variations - the Romantic Tutu, a flowing, knee-length creation for ballets like “Giselle,” and the shorter, more rigid Classical Tutu for works like “Swan Lake” – that perfectly highlights a ballerina’s grace. Both designs, however, embodied a dancer’s ethereal spirit.

And today? Designers have continued to play with the tutu, transforming it into an art form that continues to capture imagination. You can spot tutus of all styles on the stage, from the traditional, graceful romantic to the avant-garde creations of today. They’re just beautiful!

Tutu-ific Time Travelling: Back to 2010

Fast forward to our fashionable time machine destination, 2010! What was happening? What tutus were trending?

Imagine: the stage was a canvas, bursting with colour and movement!

• Romantic tutus continued to captivate hearts with their billowing elegance.
• Classical tutus still reigned supreme, providing a dramatic silhouette. Their structure demanded impeccable technique, showing off each dancer’s skill with breathtaking precision.
• The “neo-classical” style tutu gained momentum, offering more flexibility for modern ballets. These are often shorter, with more contemporary lines, but they maintain that exquisite ethereal charm.

Just think, every night at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, the audience gasped with wonder at those perfect ballerina pirouettes and leaps! And what’s better than a ballet? The shopping and fabulous theatre scene afterwards, of course!

Oh, and wouldn't it have been wonderful to experience the dazzling premiere of “The Rite of Spring” on March 23rd, 2010, at Sadler’s Wells in London! Imagine the dramatic costumes, the powerful storytelling through movement – a masterpiece that still leaves us breathless today.

A Time for Tutusalicious Inspiration!

As I continue my travels, my head is already spinning with new tutu-tastic inspiration for my next design. And don’t forget, you can still recreate these stunning styles, whether you’re on a stage or a London street. There’s no better time to pull on a fabulous tutu, feel that tulle swirling around your legs, and express yourself with the grace of a ballerina!

And what are you waiting for? Let's spread the tutu love! #TutuTuesday is here to celebrate dance, fashion and everything tutu. Join me, and let’s get every-one, from London to the Derbyshire countryside, to embrace the pinkest, most beautiful tutu!

Remember to stay tuned to pink-tutu.com for more exciting journeys into the history of tutus. You're welcome to send me questions, thoughts, and dance desires.

Until next Tuesday, stay beautiful, stay inspired, and most importantly, stay tutuscious!

Warmly, Emma, your pink-tutu-loving time-travelling fashionista

P.S. What’s your favourite tutu moment from history? Share in the comments! Let's bring back that enchanting sparkle to everyday life!