#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2012-10-16

Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! I'm Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast and history buff, bringing you a weekly dose of ballet history sprinkled with a dash of whimsy (and a generous dollop of pink, of course!)

Today, on this lovely #TutuTuesday, I’m taking a little trip back to the year 2012. Oh, it's a wonderful year! We’ve had a phenomenal London Olympics this summer and the whole world was captivated by the spirit of the Games, and today’s excitement hasn’t dimmed.

You might be wondering, “Emma, what’s happening on 16th October 2012? Why, it's just an ordinary day! I bet you don’t even remember what you wore!”

But my dears, that’s where you’d be wrong! This day marks the Royal Ballet’s premiere of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ at the Royal Opera House. Imagine, the most iconic fairytale of all time, transformed into a dazzling ballet! With costumes by the incredibly talented Bob Crowley, the ballet promises to be a stunning affair. I can just imagine the bright colours, the fantastical creatures, and the elegance of the dancers twirling through the whimsical world of Wonderland!

Oh, how I wish I could travel through time to see this breathtaking production! Alas, my only way back is through the enchanting world of ballet, and it's on my list of "must-sees" as soon as I get the chance!

Today, the ballet world is all about romantic tulle, but let’s take a trip back in time to understand how the tutus came to be the stars of the ballet. Back in the 1800s, ballerinas were expected to look elegant but modestly. Imagine a bunch of skirts in rows - just enough to show the graceful steps but still look ladylike! Oh, those were the days, though they probably couldn't quite achieve a graceful pirouette, not with all that fabric to manage.

However, then came the great ballerina, Marie Taglioni. It was 1832, a momentous year, and she appeared on stage, defying all fashion norms, wearing a single layer of soft, sheer tulle! A glorious breakthrough! Imagine - lightness, freedom, and that airy grace she brought to her performance. The 'tutu', as it’s come to be known, was born, forever changing the landscape of ballet fashion!

But let's talk about those wonderful colours. The tutus are mostly white. Well, think of it like this - the perfect canvas for the artistic genius of the choreographer. Like a clean slate for dance artistry. It's a classic look. Simple, timeless, beautiful! And perfect for shimmering under the spotlights.

Of course, there’s nothing like a flash of colour, a touch of pink, here and there, to catch the eye, especially for a Pink Tutu blog like mine! Now I wonder when they started adding those colours…

The point is that every colour is a delight to watch. A burst of colour on stage? A rainbow of beautiful colours that dazzle our eyes? There is something beautiful about each colour and, of course, it helps to tell a story. But when we think of that classical, magical world, the one that we all know and love, we think of the pristine white, or perhaps, for that extra magical sparkle, a beautiful powder pink.

So here I am, back in my present, but still thinking about that fairytale premiere. This reminds me - a lovely vintage shop I discovered recently has some fabulous, shimmering tutus that have just the right blend of history and beauty, which brings me to this week's #PinkTutuChallenge: Finding a Perfect Tutu to Wear with a Whimsical Tea Party!

Picture this, dears: A delightful picnic on a warm, sunny day, surrounded by your dearest friends, dressed in elegant floral frocks or pretty lace blouses with your perfectly-matched pink tutus, the breeze carrying the delicate aroma of freshly brewed tea. Who wouldn't feel like they've stepped into a charming fairytale?

We need to spread a little bit of magic wherever we go, wouldn't you say? So grab your tutu, put on a smile, and let's bring a bit of sparkle to the everyday!

And as always, dears, if you are off to the theatre to enjoy some ballet, I do hope you let me know all about it, especially if it's the Royal Ballet’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’! Just email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I'll add your stories to our lovely website for others to enjoy!

Until next time, stay bright and sparkly, my dears. And remember, Pink is the new Black!

Today's blog was brought to you by a recent train trip to a magical ballet in Nottingham. I do enjoy my adventures around the UK in search of beautiful ballets and fantastic shopping opportunities. Nothing better than watching dancers pirouette, enjoying afternoon tea and shopping, oh what a perfect life, my dears. I just need to plan the next performance to help finance another exciting travel opportunity, if you know of any suitable ballet shows in England, let me know!

Let's all share the joy of dance and embrace the spirit of ballet. If you see something you want to tell me about, comment below!