Welcome, my darlings, to another enchanting edition of #TutuTuesday! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, back with a history of the most fabulous fashion garment of all time: the tutu!
Today we're travelling through time, boarding the Orient Express to … hold on to your tiaras, lovelies… April 26th, 2011!
Oh, the excitement! Today is brimming with Parisian charm. Think cobbled streets, quaint cafés and the Eiffel Tower sparkling like a diamond in the sun. It's the day before the International Dance Day, a time for celebrating all things dance, and, you guessed it, tutued up to the nines!
Now, back in 2011, tutus were already conquering the world. From classic ballet performances at the grand Paris Opera, to the choreographed routines of the streets where stylish folk were giving "fashion faux pas" a big thumbs down. Oh, and let's not forget the incredible theatricality of musical theatre productions, where those fabulous, feathered tutus soared like a flight of fancy on Broadway and the West End.
But did you know that this glorious fashion garment wasn't always a star in the spotlight? Today, we’ll dive into the history of the tutu and unravel its story, revealing its elegant evolution through the ages.
*Early Days: The “Robe a la Polonaise” (circa 1700s) *
Now, imagine this: the first "tutu" wasn't even a tutu! It was a dress! A beautiful, fluffy dress, called a "robe à la polonaise". It was long, flowing and just a little bit bouffant, perfect for waltzing. Oh, those graceful swirls! The fabric itself was lightweight and billowy, often silk, velvet or lace. The focus was on showing off a woman’s shape and movement – not too unlike how a modern-day ballerina commands the stage, but with more, shall we say, “material".
*The “Tutu” Takes Centre Stage (circa 1830s) *
Fast forward to the 1830s. A ballet called "La Sylphide" entered the world and with it… the TUTU as we know it! Yes, the shortened, fluffy skirt became the icon for a dancer's grace. Imagine: tulle, silk and cotton, sewn with so much detail – an absolute masterpiece in fashion. It made it possible to show off legs and the sheer brilliance of a ballerina’s moves. Talk about empowering!
Romantic Ballet (1830s -1850s)
Romantic ballet, with its airy, dreamy style, and a whole lotta pink (yay! just like yours truly), fueled the popularity of the tutu! Imagine ballerina's ethereal steps flowing with their beautiful white, pale pink and baby blue tutus. They practically floated on air! It was such a delightful and graceful style. It’s little wonder the ballet world embraced the new tutu with such passion. It really changed the world of dance!
The Tutu Becomes Versatile: Romantic Ballet to Neoclassical and beyond (late 1800s – early 1900s)
It's almost time to travel back, my loves, but there is so much more to discover! Throughout the 1900s the tutu morphed into new shapes and styles. There were fluffy Romantic tutu's for ballerinas twirling in tales of fantastical fairies and delicate creatures and a new type called the “classical” tutu. Its short, tight-fitting skirt allowed for dramatic leg work. These days, we find everything from “tutu skirts" worn as everyday clothes to huge huge tutus in theatrical performances ( think Les Misérables!), and, yes, ballet. And it's all because the early tutu's paved the way for our dance world's ultimate fashion accessory, the Tutu!
My Favourite Tutu-Centric Performance of 2011? “Giselle"
I simply adored this haunting, magical production. This romantic ballet, first performed in the 1840s and set in the 18th century, brought the Romantic tutu back into the spotlight. It's still a favourite and it reminds me that our beloved Tutu was more than just a costume, it gave a dancer wings ( well, at least a fluffy skirt with enough layers to feel like wings!) to tell stories!
So, darlings, keep a watchful eye out for the #TutuTuesday posts as we continue to uncover more thrilling stories and incredible styles. Remember, as we journey through the world of dance, let's all embrace the joy, the beauty, and the empowering magic of ... the TUTU!!
Until next Tuesday, remember: it's a world that looks better in pink. Wear your pink tutu with pride, my lovely #pinktutu tribe!
* Emma, xx*
PS. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com, your go-to source for all things tutu-tastic! Where every day can be #TutuTuesday, darling! 😉
