Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu! I'm your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveler, Emma, and I'm so excited to whisk you away on another trip through the fascinating history of ballet tutus!
Today, 22nd March, 2011, we're heading to...drumroll please... *New York City! * Cue the glitz and the glamour! Now, New York, you might be thinking, isn't all about the hustle and bustle, the Broadway shows, and the yellow cabs, but you’d be wrong, lovelies! New York City is also home to some of the most amazing ballet companies and shows, and that's where we'll be today, ready to dive deep into the story of the ballet tutu!
Oh, how I love the train journey. It's such a fabulously nostalgic way to travel. It's like a grand entrance, especially if you have your ballerina bag and your trusty pink tutu bag in tow. You get the most beautiful views and get a chance to plan all the wonderful things you’ll be seeing at the ballet – the costumes, the dancers, and even maybe a little ballet shopping spree afterwards, if I'm lucky!
A Trip to the Metropolitan Opera House
We’re getting off at 66th and Broadway to make our way to the Metropolitan Opera House, home to the iconic New York City Ballet. Now, I’m just so excited. This venue is legendary! It's got such a rich history of performance and a real touch of old Hollywood glamour, making it the perfect setting for a ballet performance. Imagine, ladies! Hundreds of dancers have graced this stage with their beautiful tutus, inspiring countless audiences with the magic of ballet!
Tutu Time!
Today, we’ll be going right back to the beginning! I’m feeling like we need a good old-fashioned tututu tour to start, wouldn’t you say, dear reader? Well, where did it all begin? How did those breathtaking tutus get from an idea to a costume essential? The early 19th century is when the ballet world experienced a little bit of a transformation with a revolution in ballet.
As much as I love the elaborate romantic tutu of today (and my entire wardrobe, clearly) they were quite a different animal back then. These original "tutus" were more like "chemise" – these beautiful, elegant, white gowns with just a hint of fullness around the bottom and little ribbons adorning the chest and shoulders. Then, along came Marie Taglioni, that fabulous dancer, with the invention of the "tutu romantique". You can imagine, it was a massive hit – it was elegant, it flowed beautifully as she danced, and allowed the audiences to appreciate the sheer grace of the dancers as they moved.
You could definitely spot a Taglioni romantic tutu at any opera house back in the day – there was a real craze for these beautiful, voluminous, tulle tutus, with a tight bodice for added elegance. And what about those ribbons adorning the bodice? Those were designed to move and create a captivating visual, enhancing those dreamy dance moves. It was like a fashion revolution, you could say. They’ve lasted the test of time – I'm sure I have at least five in my wardrobe that I love. They always look fantastic, whether worn as an outfit or layered up under an oversized sweater.
As the 19th century marched forward, the "tutu" took on a life of its own. It evolved alongside the art of dance, and by the late 19th century, ballet companies embraced a "tightening" of the style with the arrival of the "tutu de crinoline", a tighter, shorter style of tutu with wire supports adding a stiff look, and an accent on the classic "demi" style of tutu that continues to inspire designs today!
Of course, the Russian Ballet (oh, how much I loved it!) played a massive part in pushing the boundaries, transforming the tutu in the 1900s, giving us a new era of glamour. With the rise of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes (think rich colours, innovative choreography and extravagant costumes – think gold, scarlet and blue!), the "tutu" saw a more decadent, elegant shape! They became known for being "long, soft and dramatic," almost like billowing, floating clouds, embracing the theatrical element that ballet is known for! And what a time to be a ballerina! They had their pick of tutus, from romantic styles to lavish and colourful creations for their dance performances! It's a wonder any ballerina could decide which to wear!
The early 20th century became a golden age for tutus – all the greats embraced different tutus like The Sleeping Beauty, which became known for those "layered", “billowy” tulle styles with a classic Romantic silhouette, which is still so captivating today. Then there was the dramatic The Nutcracker that really transformed the "tutu". Think soft textures like tulle with gorgeous embroidered decorations – stunning! A dance that brings such happiness to children – think dancing sugarplums, gingerbread men, a Nutcracker prince and snowflakes...
These new "styles" of ballet tutu created a whole new visual dimension that allowed dancers to highlight different parts of their body – all to inspire and thrill. There was even a dramatic rise in the "pink" tutu! Yes, lovelies! That gorgeous shade of pink that is just a classic and utterly timeless. I have to confess, I love wearing a bright, glorious pink tutu – so stylish and always puts me in a good mood!
You know, the tutu story doesn’t stop there. It has changed with fashion trends, ballet themes and even fashion choices in dance choreography – they just get more imaginative and luxurious! As someone who has a passion for ballet tutus (and wearing them!) I have to admit – I’m pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to tutu inspiration – the modern ballet era boasts so many diverse and beautiful designs – you could even have one that you change with each new ballet performance. How brilliant is that, lovelies! Imagine, a collection of tutus to match the season! A new tutu every show – my dream life!
Now, while I'm a total pink-tutu devotee, I do think that each tutu holds such history and character and it’s lovely to appreciate these beautiful costumes. After all, it's a fusion of design, innovation, theatre, and sheer imagination that just comes to life!
22nd March, 2011! It’s the day to celebrate...World Water Day, a date dedicated to advocating the importance of access to clean water and sanitation worldwide! Just a little side note, it’s amazing what an impact even the simplest things in life can have – just look at how many incredible ballets, plays and musical productions are built around love, passion, water, the weather, the environment – the possibilities are endless, so a small gesture can make a big difference in the world. So, my lovelies, let’s all raise a glass to water! Cheers!
And, to commemorate such a lovely date, I'm giving all my lovely readers a 10% discount code for pink-tutu.com for the next 24 hours: "WATERLOVE"
Until next Tuesday, my darling readers, I'll see you here with another dose of Tutu history.
Always in a pink tutu,
Emma
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