Hello, lovelies! It's Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, back for another Tuesday twirl through time! I'm fresh from a rather thrilling ballet performance in, hold your tutus, Paris! The city of love was positively buzzing with Cendrillon, a gorgeous take on Cinderella. Such beautiful costumes, all flowing lines and elegant tulle, it just had me positively twirling with joy!
Speaking of tulle and joy, today's #TutuTuesday is going to take us all the way back to... wait for it... 1st January 1913! Yes, my dears, it's time for a tutu trip down memory lane to the year our ballet tutus, those gorgeous, fluffy symbols of grace, were starting to truly take centre stage! Now, I know we all think of tutus as purely ballet-esque (and rightfully so!), but they actually have a pretty fascinating story that started way before ballerinas were even born!
Let's twirl back to the early days!
Believe it or not, the story of the tutu isn't a pretty princess fairy tale. No, this tale starts with…drumroll… men! Yes, you read that right. Those delightful ladies we all see wearing tutus have history to thank men for the wonderful garment. Before the elegant tulle we know and love, men’s dance wear was mostly inspired by the clothes of knights. Tight breeches, high-waisted shirts… not quite the pirouette-friendly attire we know today!
The Shift Happens!
Now, a quick dip in the time machine, and it's 1500s-era France! There we have a beautiful development – The invention of the Farthingale! Now, this isn’t quite the tutu we know, but it's definitely an important precursor. A wide, conical skirt worn over the undergarments. The Farthingale helped women achieve a fashionable form and shape…and it set the scene for a more fluid, free-flowing dance skirt in the future.
Fast forward to the 1800s! The Romantic Period of ballet is on the rise and with it... wait for it… short skirts for female dancers. Why the change, you ask? A dramatic departure from the stiff 'full-skirted’ dresses of the past, a trend inspired by classical Greek dress. These shorter dresses showcased the legs, emphasizing athleticism and giving more movement for the dancers, leading the way to a more graceful style of dance. And these beautifully flowing skirts were known as "tutu," from the "tulle" material used for these dresses.
Now, picture this… The 1st January, 1913. It's a beautiful day in London, a world bustling with elegant, dapper gentlemen and fashion-conscious women in the heart of a new era. On this date, one year before the outbreak of *World War I, tutus are definitely becoming *a ballet staple and the dancing is getting more elaborate.
In the world of Ballet, the iconic Russian Ballet troupe, founded by impresario Serge Diaghilev, were setting hearts on fire with revolutionary works. And oh, the costumes! Imagine this scene. It’s like a page from a storybook... a beautiful woman steps onto a stage, dressed in flowing layers of light-as-air tulle! It’s an enchanting picture, full of fantasy and fluidity! It’s Tutu time, girls! This marked a definite shift in the evolution of the dance tutu, becoming a captivating blend of grace and movement that took the stage by storm.
A Ballet Tutu: For All Occasions
I always say, ballet tutus are so versatile! They aren't just for ballerinas! You'd be surprised how much a good tutu can elevate a party outfit or add a dash of whimsical charm to a simple look! I’ve even seen them used as fabulous wedding attire!
Why I Love My Tutudacious Look!
I, Emma, am a proud proponent of the power of pink, and the tutu for me, is just a beautiful expression of joyful energy, a kind of whimsical femininity. It reminds me that I can twirl and dance through life with optimism and elegance! And isn't that what we all want?
Where’s Emma Now?
My dear darlings, I’ve got to run, the latest ballet fashion magazine is calling! I'm sure you can't wait for me to share all the amazing trends I spot! Now remember, we can make a tutu dream come true - by getting everyone, every man, every woman, every little girl and little boy, every fluffy pink-loving friend... to tutu-ifically twirl their hearts out!!
Stay sparkly,
Emma
[Don't forget to check back every Tuesday for more exciting #TutuTuesday updates!] www.pink-tutu.com
