#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2011-05-10

Hello, lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed time traveler, and it's #TutuTuesday! Buckle up, my darlings, because today we're embarking on a whirlwind journey through time to explore the fascinating history of our beloved tutus. We're landing in… May 10th, 2011, which, just so happens to be a rather fabulous date in tutu history!

Before we dive into the frills, a little update on my adventures. I've just come back from an absolutely divine weekend in Paris. Did you know that May 10th is International Ballet Day? How wonderful is that?! So of course, I was there, dancing the night away at the Palais Garnier. Talk about an iconic venue! And let me tell you, the dancers were sensational, each and every one of them in the most glorious tutus imaginable. Speaking of which, did I tell you about my incredible vintage find in a Parisian flea market? A gorgeous tulle number in the softest shade of blush pink… *It's *totally going to make an appearance on my next blog post, promise!

Now, let’s travel back in time to find the origins of this iconic garment!

Let’s face it, darlings, the tutu is pretty much synonymous with ballet. But where did this fabulous garment even come from?

Believe it or not, tutus weren’t always the frothy, romantic things we know and love today! Their journey begins with the humble skirt, worn by dancers of all styles throughout history. In the 16th century, women wore farthingales and verdugados, skirts that flared out around the waist to create a dramatic silhouette. Fast forward to the 18th century, and we see the first real ballet “costumes”, featuring long, trailing skirts that restricted movement. Imagine that, trying to pirouette in a massive billowing skirt! Just picture the wind catching it… Yikes!

Thankfully, the nineteenth century brought the revolutionary introduction of what we call the tutu romantique, introduced by none other than the famed dancer, Marie Taglioni. It was much shorter, a mere three-quarters of a leg length, allowing for graceful movement. It's truly an iconic design, and a moment in history for female fashion.

Remember how the story of Marie's tutu inspired the film, “The Red Shoes”? It's so fab! That's the beauty of ballet history, darlings - there are stories and legends woven into the fabric of every dance, every costume. They truly capture the soul of the stage, the emotions, the joy.

We can't talk about the tutu romantique without mentioning another iconic dancer, Carlotta Grisi, who, famously, introduced the idea of diaphanous fabrics and the ever-so-beautiful short tutu as we know it today. It was a fashion sensation and, if you think about it, sparked a true movement, changing the world of ballet, the image of the ballerina, and how people thought about clothes and dance, and it just continues to grow and evolve over time.

From there, darling, the tutu continued to evolve, taking on a classic, timeless shape. The tutu as we know it was created for the late 19th century ballet “Giselle”, and is known as the tutu "à la française." * A full, bouncy, frothy thing that could make any ballerina look absolutely ethereal. * Just imagine!

Now, I know what you’re thinking: all this talk of dance and elegance, how do these historical gems fit into our world today? Fear not, darling!

Tutus have become synonymous with grace and beauty and can be seen everywhere these days. They are popular not just on the stage but in fashion, music videos, TV, even in weddings. Honestly, darling, if you want to feel your most confident and fabulous self, put on a tutu! It’s a style statement, a symbol of fun and joy, and truly something special.

As someone with a rather strong opinion on style (my blog title is "Pink-Tutu.com" after all!) it’s impossible for me to leave out how tutus are finding their way into the world of high fashion. Designers have taken a cue from the runway, and now incorporate this elegant piece in a variety of clothing. You can even find adorable mini-me tutus for little ballerinas, as well as tulle skirts for men, too! Honestly, tutus really are the piece for every style. There’s just something about tulle… It truly allows a bit of sparkle and joy to peek through!

Now, I'm no fortune teller, darling, but even a humble time traveler like me can see the trends emerging. Back in 2011, designers like Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and Oscar de la Renta were using tulle to add whimsy and dramatic volume to their garments, creating an edgy and glamorous aesthetic. So, imagine, darling, just imagine tutus on the catwalk... How magical is that?

Tutus even have their moment in music! Remember Lady Gaga’s "Born This Way" music video? Now, there’s a showstopper of a tutu look. She has so much style and uses tutus, it's inspiring. And speaking of style, darling, there's the queen of style and grace herself: Beyoncé, who looked positively ethereal in a billowing, black tutu as she graced the stage of the Super Bowl with a performance for the ages! And you know, even Justin Bieber, who once donned a sparkly, light-up tutu – how daring! And what about Taylor Swift in “Shake it Off”? Absolutely iconic! This all tells me one thing: tutus are coming to a style trend near you. And who knows what fashion gems are in store for 2011, it was a year that brought many great styles, especially from these wonderful artists!

But darling, you know what’s truly magical about this entire tutu phenomenon? It's the spirit it represents – one of joyful movement, expression, and freedom. A reminder to never stop dreaming, twirling, and expressing your fabulous self!

## A Tutuspiration to End

So, there you have it, darling! A quick twirl through tutu history. I truly hope it brought some sparkle into your Tuesday. Remember, it doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned ballet pro or a tutu-wearing newbie. The only rule in this game is to twirl freely, feel confident, and rock your personal style.

What will be your tutu fashion moment today? Share your pics with me on social media!

I'll catch you all next #TutuTuesday. Until then, may all your tutus be perfect, and your pirouettes, precise!

Love, Emma

P.S. Don't forget to check out the amazing ballet shows taking place today! You never know when you'll be inspired by a captivating tutu, just waiting for its turn to dance with you. 😉