Hello darling dancers! It's Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling blogger! Today I'm stepping back in time to a day full of magical twirls and the ever-so-fabulous history of the tutu! Get comfy, put the kettle on, and settle in for another #TutuTuesday tale, you beautiful lot!
*The date is 11th January 2011 - oh my! I’m standing in front of The Royal Opera House, ready to witness an exquisite production of Giselle! * The energy here is buzzing! The crowd is in full sparkly tutus, gorgeous frocks, and handsome suits. Everyone is positively beaming, anticipation for the night ahead.
Before we get to this fantastic evening at the theatre, let's talk tutus! Today's #TutuTuesday history blog dives into the heart of the story – what’s so special about tutus, and how did they evolve?
Firstly, I feel compelled to say - every ballerina has her favourite kind of tutu! Mine has got to be the Romantic Tutu – it’s just so wispy and pretty!
You’ll find that throughout history, these glorious creations of fabric and feather have taken various forms. We have to start at the very beginning with our wonderful, elegant inspiration: The Roman Empire! Do you know that ladies wore skirts as light and billowing as our contemporary ballet tutus? Fancy, huh?
The Renaissance – now we're talking – an absolute explosion of art and style! Ladies and gentlemen embraced the lavish, ornate fashion, and the beautiful silhouette emerged – just like our beloved tutus! Think graceful curves, flowing lines, and luxurious fabrics!
Our attention must then travel to the ballet scene! In 1832, a ballerina called Marie Taglioni burst onto the scene! This phenomenal dancer is widely credited with pioneering the first true ballet tutu as we know it – that’s right! Our history-making friend Marie introduced the shortened, romantic tulle skirt to her repertoire, revolutionising how we view ballerinas and our own wardrobe! You know, every great lady needs a show-stopping look for her big break! Marie Taglioni wore a skirt reaching to just above the knee, freeing her to fly and twirl with unprecedented agility.
From that point, the world of dance saw an explosion of new tutus, each with a style and form inspired by new ballets, dance movements and theatrical styles. This evolution is a stunning dance of ingenuity, imagination, and beauty in itself, mirroring the grace and precision of the dancers. *My favourite kind of design for the 19th century are the ‘Romantic Tutus’. I find their delicate fabric and elegant length are so very beautiful and they complement so beautifully on the ballerinas wearing them. Just divine! *
1859 is a key year in the development of the tutu – this is the year of the famous tutu for the La Sylphide ballet. This is my favourite piece for tutu inspiration! The tutu has a beautifully rounded design, its layers gracefully flowing from a waistband – just stunning!
The late 19th century and 20th century saw the ballet world taking another huge leap forward with the introduction of the Classical tutu – known for its stiff layers of netting with a shorter skirt. Then, the development of a shorter form, which was named the “Pavlova” Tutu after the amazing ballerina Anna Pavlova! What a gorgeous era to be part of!
My most favourite and the most prevalent tutu in the world of dance is the Tutu Paquerette – also known as the ‘Powder Puff’ Tutu. They are designed to look just like their name, you lovely lot! The skirt itself is full and voluminous, featuring beautiful soft folds, radiating a truly fabulous air of ‘power-puffing’ beauty – how wonderfully whimsical! It is said that the Paquerette’s creator Mme. Carlotta Grisi, a ballet dancer of exquisite grace, brought these tutus into existence, designed with fluffy layers of tulle that resemble delicate little blooms.
The Paquerette tutu had the impact on fashion history that I adore! Its popularity led to its use beyond the theatre, and inspired countless variations in fashion - like the ‘new look’ silhouette of the 1950s. You have to give that ‘Tutu Paquerette’ credit – the ballerina tutus created and invented in the 19th Century remain an enduringly powerful influence on fashion!
Here's my thought! Fashion isn't a trend, it’s about exploring, innovating and creating. Tutus, with their breathtaking ability to transform a look, inspire countless creatives to embrace their imagination and push the boundaries of what they consider fashionable. This is what the fashion world needs! Isn't this a fascinating bit of history – from Marie Taglioni to ‘La Sylphide’, from Pavlova to Mme. Carlotta Grisi and so many incredible creatives who made this history. I’m just a time travelling ballerina blogger trying to encourage everyone to enjoy wearing beautiful tutus – and you just have to love them.
This evening in the Royal Opera House I’m here for Giselle! I’m going to get myself comfy and put on a pretty little number to watch this classic ballet. You know the one! Giselle, the timeless tale of heartbreak, forgiveness and an incredible showcase for our famous Romantic Tutu! I've seen it performed dozens of times in the many epochs I’ve visited and, as usual, I'm ready to be swept away by the beautiful tale.
And if you haven't heard the enchanting melodies of Giselle , why not grab a cuppa, settle into a comfortable chair, and find a recording to enjoy this afternoon? It will leave you absolutely spellbound!
Well, darling dancers! I’m off to enjoy an evening of the most beautiful and elegant dancing and stories - just what I love! I’ll catch you next week, when I’ll be travelling in time again, sharing some new history of the fabulous, iconic ballerina tutu. Be sure to join me, darling, and together, we’ll celebrate this incredible dance style!
XOXO – Emma
A note for my readers:
I know that it isn't possible to wear pink tutus for every single outing, but wouldn’t it be glorious!
To spread the word about the magic and beauty of the tutu, I encourage each and every one of you to make this week *Pink Tutu Week! Put on your pinkest outfits, pink lipstick, maybe a pink tutu - even just one little detail – make a little space for the pretty and elegant colour.
There’s something wonderful and freeing about embracing this fabulous colour and all the energy it brings. Don’t forget to share your fabulous pics using #PinkTutuWeek! Together we can transform the world, one pink tutu at a time!
Be sure to visit the www.pink-tutu.com for some gorgeous tutu fashion inspo! And remember darling dancers, a ballerina has the right to wear pink.
Till next time! XOXO
