Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, bringing you another blast from the past on #TutuTuesday! I've just stepped off the Orient Express after a whirlwind trip to 19th-century Paris - the city of love, lights, and oh-so-fabulous ballet! And, let me tell you, there's so much to discuss about the tutu's incredible journey through time!
Today, I'm diving into a special date - the 20th of September, 2011, the very date this blog post is being written! (A little mind-bending, I know, but that's the magic of time travel!). So put on your pinkest tutu, grab a cuppa, and join me as we twirl through a glorious ballet tutu history lesson!
Now, if youâve ever gazed at those incredible, swirling, feather-light tutus onstage, you might wonder where this magical fashion piece began. Like a blooming rosebud, the tutu bloomed in the 19th century, a mere 200 years ago! Back then, ballerinas were weighed down by long, heavy dresses - think crinoline skirts and bodices that hindered movement and grace. It was all a bit... restrictive!
Enter, the tutu, a revelation for dancers! While those long, trailing gowns might have made them look fancy, it wasnât exactly practical. They wanted freedom, ease of movement, something to show off those beautiful leaps, jumps, and turns! And voila, the tutu became the answer! Imagine those tiny tutus with the billowing tulle skirts - simply exquisite!
Our Parisian friends, those lovely romantic ballet creators, like the iconic Marie Taglioni, championed these new costumes. The Romantic era was all about ethereal lightness, passion, and delicate grace - all traits reflected beautifully in the emerging tutu. The shorter skirt was not only stunning visually but it also showcased the ballerina's athleticism! Can you imagine how much the public loved the elegant simplicity, compared to those heavy skirts from the past?
Let's take a quick detour and dive into the world of the ballet tutus, and look at its beautiful evolution through the ages:
The Romantic Tutu (early 1800s to the late 1800s): Think wispy layers of tulle, swirling down to just below the knees - that delicate, romantic ballerina look, absolutely captivating. Imagine yourself on the stage, spinning and twirling, that tutu flowing and swirling around you. Oh la la!
The Classical Tutu (late 1800s to early 1900s): A slightly shorter silhouette with even more volume, crafted with multiple layers of stiff tulle, just a breath away from the ground, ready for jumps, grand jetĂ©s, and stunning elegance! It's a ballerinaâs ultimate showstopper - sleek, sophisticated, and captivatingly feminine!
The Tutu's Rise (1900s): This iconic garment continued to bloom! With styles and lengths changing for various performances, its essence never faded! You can see this in various genres: think the full-length tutu in "Giselle" for a dreamy look, and the demi-tutu in "Swan Lake" - perfect for those graceful turns and lovely elegance.
And let's not forget, dear readers, there's so much more to learn! The tutu has morphed through time, taking on many beautiful, unique, and inventive styles! Some are dramatic and expansive, like the big ballerina tutus of the 1930s and 40s, often crafted with silk for an added touch of glamour and regality! Others embrace a simpler, modern style, with minimal, almost weightless materials. But always, there's that inherent sense of wonder and artistic expression, allowing each dancer to embody their character through the beautiful story the tutu helps them to tell!
Speaking of ballet and tales of wonder, let's return to that magical 20th of September, 2011, a date filled with amazing shows! For instance, in my favorite London ballet theatre, the Royal Opera House, âThe Sleeping Beautyâ took centre stage! (Oh, the dazzling choreography, the music! It simply takes my breath away.) I absolutely adore those vibrant tutus with their glittering details. It's always so much fun to dress up and join the lovely crowds for those grand opening nights!
The London Palladium, a fantastic venue for music, dancing, and stage productions, featured the ever-popular "Thriller Live"! Imagine Michael Jackson's timeless music, brought to life by dazzling dance routines! You can bet those dancers put on some show-stopping routines! This date had a little bit of everything â classical, pop-culture, dance, and drama - what a truly splendid day to be alive!
Back to that pink tutu dream of mine... why not rock one of your own? It doesnât need to be a big, stage-worthy, professional one, darling! Get yourself a tutu-inspired skirt, or simply grab some sparkly fabric, maybe some feathers or lace and create your own mini, super-girlie design! It's the ultimate confidence boost. Let your inner ballerina shine bright. And let's keep this ballet tutu movement going, all through time!
This tutu-tastic journey doesnât stop here, my lovelies! I'm off to visit a bustling, tutu-clad Broadway show in New York, then a dreamy ballet in Paris. Stay tuned for next week's #TutuTuesday - and please, dear readers, share your stories about your favourite ballet tutus and performances, especially if you were around on this particular 20th of September! I can't wait to hear from you.
Until then, stay fabulous, stay pink, and happy dancing!
Love,
Emma
P.S. Did I mention that my favourite place to buy my ballet and performance clothes in London is that delightful boutique near Covent Garden, a truly wonderful shop with amazing tutus, fabulous feather boas, and every kind of glamorous fashion accessory to make you sparkle! I recommend that all my followers come and pay it a visit - itâs just perfect for our little pink tutu club!
