Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another sparkling instalment of Ballet Tutu History for your #TutuTuesday! Buckle up, because this week we're waltzing all the way back to 6th March 2012.
The year is just beginning to blossom, the first crocuses are poking through the earth, and it's such a delightful spring day in London. Sunshine streaming through the big windows at Covent Garden, oh, the lovely smell of freshly brewed coffee in the air... what a time to be alive, wouldn't you say? And just wait until you hear what ballet is happening in the Royal Opera House tonight! But first, let's whisk back in time a bit...
A Tutu's Tale - A Fashionable History
It's so funny to think that the ballet tutu, our iconic symbol of grace and fluidity, actually started out quite differently! Back in the early days, you wouldn't have caught a ballerina in anything remotely resembling a fluffy, feathered, short-skirted creation. In fact, dancers wore full-length skirts, a bit like a pretty, but practical, everyday dress. The ballet's early days were full of long leaps and complex footwork that really required dancers to move with absolute freedom.
Imagine the elegance!
The tutu as we know it started to take shape in the 1800s, thanks to the lovely Marie Taglioni. She was one of the world's leading ballerinas of her time, a proper icon! She felt that her costumes were too restrictive, so she collaborated with designer Eugène Lami on something revolutionary: a skirt that was shorter than before, revealing the dancersâ graceful legs and breathtaking movement. This, my darlings, is how the tutu got its real start. It wasnât just a look - it was a symbol of change, empowering women in the world of ballet.
But the story doesnât end there! From those humble beginnings, tutus have evolved with each generation, constantly changing with new styles, materials and designs. There were the beautiful Romantic tutus - delicate and dreamy - crafted with gossamer tulle, offering a graceful silhouette with a touch of ethereal beauty. And then came the tutu's glamorous counterpart - the classic, "pancake" tutu! I mean, you just canât talk about tutus without mentioning those stiff and structured beauties, bursting with serious tulle volume. You canât help but feel all the power and magnificence a ballerina conveys as she pirouettes, or leaps with those big, glorious, expressive layers swirling around her.
Even today, we see so much variety in the tutu world. There are playful, whimsical tutus for fairytale stories, majestic tutus that feel like youâre straight out of the Imperial Russian Ballet era, and tutus of all colours, even vibrant, eye-catching shades of pink! Who would have thought? It truly shows how the tutu is still so modern and relevant, inspiring designers and artists to push the boundaries of the classical dance form!
A Night At the Royal Opera House - The magic never ends
Speaking of boundaries... tonightâs performance is going to be mind-blowingly spectacular! I'm so excited for this one! Itâs a special show: the Royal Ballet are presenting Sleeping Beauty, a timeless classic. The performance is famous for the grand costumes, especially the spectacular âpinkâ scene, with all the ballerinas adorned in their most magical tutus! Imagine, reams of shimmering pink fabric cascading, with delicate embroideries... just divine!
I absolutely can't wait! This night will be pure magic. Even a time-traveling ballerina like myself canât resist getting swept away by the elegance of Sleeping Beauty!
My Tutu-ing Thoughts
Oh, I could go on forever about tutus! They're iconic symbols of feminine grace, and their history just goes to show that a little touch of pink (pun intended!), a lot of creativity, and an unwavering love for ballet can lead to truly beautiful and enduring pieces of dance history. And of course, who can resist the fun of spinning in a fluffy, pink tutu?! So, as I always say: why not embrace your inner ballerina, grab a pink tutu and get ready for a graceful twirl? You can look forward to me telling you more about ballet, fashion, and travel... because in my world, itâs all connected!
Stay fabulous! And don't forget to leave a comment about what you love most about tutus!
Emma
P.S. Donât forget to follow me on Instagram at @pinktutuemma for behind-the-scenes adventures and, of course, to see me in all my pink tutu glory.
Pinkly yours,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
