Hiya darlings! Emma here, back again with another thrilling Tuesday tale about the glorious history of our beloved tutus! As ever, I'm in my favourite pink tutu, twirling in my little flat in Derbyshire, feeling as bright and sparkly as the most fabulous ballerina ever.
Oh, my dears, have I got a treat for you this week! It's 18th December, 2012! A momentous date, for in this very year, our beloved tutu-wearing goddess, Natalia Osipova, took the dance world by storm! Can you imagine being in the audience watching this phenomenal dancer bring life to every movement, every arabesque, every pirouette? Oh, I wish I could go back in time! And speaking of pirouettes, today, we’re delving into the history of the tutu, exploring those captivating twirling and swirling tales, taking a whirlwind tour right from the very beginning!
Back to the Court of the Sun King
So, picture this... It’s the late 17th Century, a time of majestic splendour, exquisite court dances, and - drum roll please - the birth of the tutu! Think elaborate and extravagant court performances, featuring dancers adorned in the beautiful gowns of the day, showcasing every flourish and flourish. And there, right in the heart of this stylish spectacle, emerged the forerunner of our beloved tutu - the pannier dress! These magnificent skirts, created by skilled corsetières, puffed out and expanded, giving the illusion of extra width.
Oh, the grandeur! It's hard to imagine the impact these elegant gowns had on the stage! Each dancer, gracefully swirling in her elaborate gown, like a beautiful, ethereal blossom unfurling, captivated audiences of the day.
A New Shape of the Century
Time, as it often does, moves on. The 19th Century dawned, and with it, a new kind of dance, ballet, and our panniers transformed! The focus now shifted to the ballerinas’ lithe movements and captivating grace. Imagine a graceful figure, nimble and elegant, gliding across the stage with effortless, balletic ease! The focus shifted, from huge skirts to sleek lines, as designers experimented with new ways to enhance these amazingly graceful moves!
Enter, our beautiful, layered tulle – the very first versions of what we would now know as the tutu! Instead of the heavy, voluminous panniers, dancers started wearing layers of soft, airy, weightless tulle that would swirl and flow, mirroring their elegant and graceful dance moves. It was a true artistic revolution! The lightness and volume of these tulle skirts enabled the dancers to make more fluid and dramatic movements that captivated their audience. Imagine the gasp of the audience as those light, airy tutus floated around the dancer, each swirl and twirl captivating their every glance!
From Classical to Romantic, the Tutu Flourishes
And this shift brought in a whole new era for the tutu! It evolved, moving away from those long and heavy skirts, and becoming more flexible, taking on a refined, Romantic look. Picture flowing tulle, longer than a traditional skirt, that swirled, creating an elegant symphony of movement! Imagine, light, flowing fabrics, enhancing the ballerina’s movement like an exquisite, magical illusion. As the romantic ballet style spread, the tutus were crafted with exquisite attention to detail. Delicate and light, the designs aimed to elevate the beauty of the ballerina - their movements, their grace, and every mesmerizing step they took!
It was a glorious era for the tutu, evolving and transforming to suit the beauty of each performance, and its popularity grew rapidly, with dancers all over the world embracing this enchanting, delicate fashion!
From Victorian Era to Today's Spectacular Showstoppers
As we progress, we see the tutu undergo another breathtaking evolution! We go from the flowing, Romantically elegant skirts to a shorter, tighter fit! This new design not only accentuated the dancer’s powerful athleticism but allowed them greater freedom of movement!
Picture the beautiful ballerina gracefully leaping, stretching their limbs into intricate poses! Oh, how liberating! A true spectacle! The tutu allowed the dancers to execute moves, they'd never done before, allowing their strength and elegance to be fully expressed!
Then comes the mid-20th century, bringing the era of ballet street! Now, the tutus began to embrace a new form - a vibrant burst of colour and style. Oh, the sheer artistry of this period! Imagine bold and vibrant colours and expressive designs! With a renewed appreciation for movement and artistry, tutus were taking centre stage as an exquisite fashion piece in its own right. They'd become a powerful symbol, celebrating the strength and grace of dancers worldwide!
Today, the tutu remains an absolute icon of the dance world! From the delicate, Romantic, flowing skirts to the dynamic, powerfully expressive creations of modern ballet, the tutu remains as influential as ever!
Time to get that tutu on and celebrate!
Oh, my lovely readers! How thrilled I am to see tutus, the embodiment of our passion for ballet, continue to inspire us all! Today, we are lucky to have more than just a love for ballet – we also have an incredibly passionate world of ballet fashion. We have such an amazing range of stunning tutus – from classic designs, capturing that exquisite Victorian flair, to bold, colour-filled tutus that embody our favourite modern designers!
And you know what? You don't have to be a ballerina to love tutus! Wear one to the ballet, to a fancy dress party, or just for fun - go on, rock that tutu!
Don't forget to join me on the next #TutuTuesday to explore the world of tutus even more, dear friends! In the meantime, be a part of the world of tutu loveliness – share your own fabulous tutu stories in the comments below!
Until next week, stay pink, stay sparkly, stay amazing!
Emma
PS This 18th December 2012 was not only an exciting date for Natalia Osipova fans but also for ballet lovers worldwide, as it saw the debut of the critically acclaimed production of “Giselle”, starring the super-talented Natalia Osipova and the ever-charismatic David Hallberg. I imagine it was truly a breathtaking evening! I'm desperately trying to get my hands on some time travel tickets, to see this beautiful piece! Would love to know your thoughts on this amazing show – let me know in the comments!
PSS Did you know that 18th December 2012 was a Tuesday! And don’t you just love how I’m making this journey through time fit so perfectly into my #TutuTuesday blog? A true ballet aficionado always finds a way to celebrate her favourite thing, no matter what century it is!
