Hello my darling tutus! Welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday blog post! It's me, your very own pink tutu wearing travel buddy, Emma, back from another trip through time, and, as you know, I'm absolutely obsessed with ballet history!
This week, my lovely ladies, we're hopping on a time machine train to March 13th, 2012, a date that happens to be jam-packed with Tutu Trivia! Now, grab your favourite tea, scones, and, of course, a delightful pink tutu - because we're going to be dipping our toes (and tutus) into a whirl of ballerina brilliance.
First things first, let's talk fashion. I've got the best vintage silk pink tutu from this era! It's shorter than what you'd find in Victorian ballet, and oh my, the material! Light and airy as a summer's breeze - perfect for twirling and leaping across time! It makes me feel like a fluffy cotton candy dream come true. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a bit of pink tulle?!
As I said, this week, it's a special Tuesday, and why? Because this very day, March 13th 2012, was the date of one of the biggest fashion events of the decade!
I can't wait to tell you about the gorgeous dresses they're showing - it was a gala evening of style and grace! But, before we dive into the fabulous outfits of this era, let's step back a little, and take a closer look at ballet history. You know, sometimes, it’s good to revisit those roots to truly appreciate the journey we’ve had, darlings!
So, How Did This Beautiful Thing Called “Tutu” Even Happen?
Let’s travel back a couple of centuries, and take a look at the tutu’s roots, shall we? You see, ladies, our beautiful tutu wasn’t always as short and sassy as it is today. Way back in the day, the ballet dancers actually wore long skirts – think romantic, flowing fabrics, sweeping the stage with grace. It was all about that romantic feel. But then, around the early 19th century, something magical happened! Ballet techniques were starting to change, and dancers began using their legs more. It was all about the movement! But you can’t really show off a fancy jeté or a fouetté when you're tripping over your own skirts! It was time for change, darling!
That’s when a certain dancer - let’s just call him "Marie," shall we? Ahem Marie Taglioni! This little lady from Sweden - she had a groundbreaking idea – a skirt with tiers that reached just above her knees. Think about it – this revolutionised ballet! Dancers were now free to show off their beautiful legs, leap through the air, and twirl with the kind of grace and power that had never been seen before!
That little change, my dears is what ultimately gave birth to the tutu, as we know it! Yes, darling, it was Marie and those beautiful tiery skirts that kicked off our tutu era! *And what an era it has been! * From those early days of long, flowing skirts, to the iconic short and frilly styles we all know and love today, the tutu has been through some fascinating transformations.
The Evolution of the Tutu
Speaking of which, we must make a stop, darlings, at the late 19th century. You know that romanticism we were talking about earlier? That continued! And ballet dresses in that era embraced it – all delicate frills, frilly trimmings, lots and lots of soft fabrics! And don't even get me started on those incredible colours – rich jewel tones and exquisite floral prints – think "the most delightful flower bouquet ever!" Think "flower fairy dream!" You just knew that era was going to produce some absolute show stoppers – because, ladies, those tutus, were a sight to behold! Sigh.
Twirling Through The 20th Century: From Romanticised Elegance to Balletic Glamour
Time for a new stop, darling! As the 20th century blossomed, so did the tutus! Think sleek lines, new styles, different fabrics – like tulle. And there were different types too – the classical tutu, the romantic tutu, and my personal favourite, the bouffon tutu. I mean, we can't forget the bouffon tutu! This iconic tutu – so short, so flirty, and so fab! Imagine all those gorgeous tulle layers flowing gracefully around you! You could have gone dancing straight out of that gorgeous garment without a care in the world. It was a fashion statement that stopped traffic, my darling, no question. And, of course, with the bouffon, everything was brighter, bolder – and that trend really helped the tutu take centre stage during those modern times! It was about time! And do you know what else sparkled alongside this era? It was the ballet shoe! Talk about a transformation – shoes went through some amazing makeovers. But we will chat about this, another time, darling, because our topic today is that amazing tutu.
Time Travel Tuesdays & The Present Day - We’re Back To 2012, Darling!
Remember the dress collection I was talking about, darlings? Yes! We are here, in that magical world of 2012! And let me tell you - it's like we stepped into a dream! Because guess what – tutus* are everywhere, and they are a staple of fashion - it's not just for ballerinas anymore – from short little twirls to big billowing ones – and of course, that gorgeous pink! Pink everywhere in 2012! (Oh, what a great era!). It's like fashion is saying, “Let’s get *magical here! “We’re embracing the tutu!” It’s about dancing freely, having fun with our style - and it's a whole new generation who're dancing to that tune, which is a *joy to see! You have those lovely pop stars in their tutus and there's fashion bloggers and designers all showcasing them - *tutus are making headlines, ladies. There’s even this whole “Tutu Tuesday” thing, you know, it's quite the craze. But, if you ask me – this whole "tutu" thing? It's always been a thing. Because you see – this amazing ballet-born piece of fashion - it's more than a dance garment, it's a statement, darling. It’s all about feeling confident, elegant and most importantly – happy!
Today’s Trends: Our Tutu Obsession Lives On
Now, darling, I must share this! This whole "Tutu Tuesday" thing – I know it's trendy, but I just have to share something that made me squeal - like a piglet who just got its breakfast! The world-famous "Royal Opera House," it’s doing something called “Tutus and Tiaras” night – it’s where women of all ages, young and old – can gather to show off their tutus, enjoy the ballet and feel like princesses for a night!
This Tutus and Tiaras event – is truly the embodiment of everything this TutuTuesday blog post stands for! Because you see, darling, it's not about just tutus, it's about those who love to dance, those who enjoy looking their best – who want to embrace all things feminine and sparkly - and of course it's about that feeling of joy that comes with twirling! I can’t tell you how happy I feel just writing this, my darling! Because wearing a tutu makes you happy, and the world needs that kind of joy right now.
That's it for our #TutuTuesday this week, darling! I’m off to a lovely ballet class. I have a great feeling I’ll bump into a few fashionable ladies who might just want to twirl. And yes, there may or may not be a pink tutu waiting to take a tumble on that time machine train and leap into the future ! Just a little trip to Paris – just because it’s Fashion Week – you know that means it will be a fashion bonanza and I need to soak up those latest looks, especially if I can catch the latest trends on the dance floor. If you’re heading to the show, let me know, darling, we must make it a ballet date. And please do make sure you wear a pink tutu. And most importantly? Remember – it’s never too late to add a bit of magic and sparkle to your day. I know it has made mine !
Catch you next Tuesday,
Emma
xxx
