Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday for you! Isn't this Tuesday just sparkling? It's the 7th of August, 2012 - and the world feels absolutely bursting with excitement for the Olympics, don't you think? I've been feeling such a rush of energy this week, so let's hop in the time machine and dance through history to see where those magnificent tutus of ours first came to be.
My favourite part of history? Well, that would have to be the Romantic era, of course! Just imagine - the swirling silks, the dreamy melodies, the beautiful, expressive choreography, the stories woven into dance! It was truly the dawn of the tutu. Before that, ballet costumes were much more elaborate and quite frankly, a bit fussy!
Back then, dancers would be weighed down by layers and layers of fabric, heavy embroidery, and stiff corsetry - hardly conducive to effortless, graceful movement! Thankfully, some clever folk realised that by loosening things up and simplifying the costume, they could create a truly magical stage presence. Can you imagine, dancing gracefully in layers of satin and tulle? What a sight to behold!
The era of Romantic ballet (we’re talking roughly between 1830 and 1870) was a time of creative revolution in dance, and one of the most iconic figures to emerge from that era was Marie Taglioni - a complete icon of the Romantic era. I have always admired Marie, just as ballerinas admire ballerinas. She embodies such strength and elegance. And of course, we can’t forget that she is credited with popularising the tutu, and what a wonderful contribution that has been!
Now, I know some of you have probably wondered, how did a time traveler like myself manage to fund such amazing journeys through time? * Well, my dear friends, it’s all thanks to my passion for dance and its magic. *Every time I’ve jumped back into a historical era, I've danced! I've graced countless stages, captivated audiences, and left the crowds with a lingering whisper of wonder! All thanks to the power of movement, music, and...of course...the most fabulous pink tutus.
But back to the tutus, my darlings. The early Romantic era tutus were very different from the ballerina-worthy tutus we wear today. Picture this: a waisted tunic of diaphanous fabric, floating just above the knees and, the most incredible touch... a train, **flowing behind her as she dances. The Romantic Era was all about flowing lines, evoking a lightness and sense of ethereal grace. It truly set the stage for the tutus of today.
By the time the late 1800s arrived, the tutu shape shifted further, shortening to allow greater freedom of movement, the kind of movement we know and love from classical ballet. That's when we started seeing the classic ‘bell’ or ‘powder puff’ shaped tutu that we recognize today! * Imagine those billowing skirts, dancing around in beautiful circles as a dancer gracefully glides through the air. Simply spectacular!*
*Now, don’t you just *love the way ballet fashion evolved? * Each stage of tutu evolution, each new fabric, each new detail, each creative burst that made tutus more intricate and *fabulous reflects the story of ballet, the evolution of dance, the effortless movement of the dancers.
But let's not forget that while the classical tutu remains an essential piece of dance wardrobe, it's never been stuck in time! Ballet is about evolution! And the way that dancers dress reflects this perfectly! For example, there are so many amazing modern tutus - think slinky materials, innovative styles, the sheer modern elegance and all the creative energy we see in modern ballets today. They might not always be full, but they always capture movement in the most beautiful way. And guess what? These tutus often blend the beauty of traditional and modern design for the perfect ballet fusion.
As the saying goes, fashion is cyclical, darling. And we certainly know that in the world of dance! Remember when the short-short skirt of the 1920s made its mark in the ballet world? It created a unique look, a kind of fun, youthful energy that reflected the world around us. And now, just like other aspects of fashion, they're coming back!
So, where will tutus take us next? Well, that, my lovely tutu lovers, is up to you! * The beautiful thing about ballet fashion is that it *doesn't have strict rules. The ballet world, just like our favourite tutus, *embrace endless variations and continues to explore its boundaries. I mean, think about it, tutus are perfect for every mood, every story! From delicate tulle that whispers of the romantic and mysterious, to crisp taffeta that celebrates power and drama, to whimsical swirls of color that reflect a pure joy of movement and dance - *we are blessed to have it all!
What's in the tutu world right now, my darling tutudoodles? Well, for the Olympics I’ve been absolutely in awe of The Royal Ballet’s Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. They have the most incredible costumes - the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, even a** marching band of adorable white rabbits! I loved every one of them, and the costumes perfectly reflected the crazy, magical world of the story.
Of course, it's all about colour, darling. Right now everything in the dance world is all about colour. It's vibrant and bold! *I mean, why be afraid of a little sparkle, right? *
I personally think, every tutu deserves its time in the limelight. I want to see everyone dancing in pink! Maybe it's my inner fashionista but there's nothing I love more than the colours and patterns, the delicate fabrics and *perfectly placed *sparkles, that bring ballet to life.
It’s amazing how one small piece of fabric, with its ruffles and twirls and that hint of fairytale charm can do so much more than just dance. A tutu can empower you, inspire you, *and help you make the *most of every opportunity. * I mean, even for time travel! It’s practically a *magic superpower when you think about it.
So darling tutu lovers, wherever you are, however you are twirling, always remember – a tutu can always help you * find your spark and dance to the beat of your own heart! * Until next Tuesday! **
* Love, Emma*
P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram, where I post all my latest #tutuTuesday adventures! You can also visit www.pink-tutu.com for a full list of the ballets that inspired this post! I just know you're going to love it, darlings!
Remember to follow the pink tutu trail for all your dance history inspiration! I love you all! Love, Emma x.
