Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your tutu-loving guide to the history of dance, from Derbyshire, England, where life always feels a bit more pirouette-worthy, and this week we're on the cusp of spring. I am currently writing to you from the heart of London! (Oh, the shops here are simply divine.) I adore the feeling of London's vibrant energy; the street performances, the bustle, and the theatre! The cobblestones almost whisper with the magic of centuries past, which is utterly charming when you're writing about something as graceful and historically rich as ballet. Today's #TutuTuesday is dedicated to our favourite fashion item - that's right, The Tutu!
It's a delight to be writing my 9458th post - wow, look how far we've come! I hope my pink-tinted ramblings continue to inspire and enthral you all! If you’re just joining us, here on Pink Tutu, every Tuesday we're taking a twirl back through time, uncovering the fabulous and flamboyant history of the Tutu. It’s more than just a costume. It's an evolution of grace and style, and each week, I'm sharing it with you!
Today we're time travelling to 2nd April, 2013. I know what you're thinking, "Oh no, not more history!" but trust me, it's more exciting than a triple pirouette. Because today marks a most glamorous moment: the return of The Sleeping Beauty at The Royal Opera House! Did I mention that London's ballet scene is pretty magical? With costumes that dazzle brighter than a diamond tiara, this ballet is pure fairy-tale enchantment. Of course, the highlight has to be Aurora's pink tutu (I do love pink, you know)! It's the colour of sunshine after a storm, like dreams after a day spent chasing pigeons in Trafalgar Square.
So let's waltz our way back in time a bit, shall we? Tutus - as we know them today - weren't always the stars of the stage.
Now let's journey to the 19th Century: Before ballerinas graced the stage with such incredible grace and freedom of movement, they wore full-length skirts with corsets. Can you imagine attempting a fouetté en tournant in all of that fabric? They probably didn't sleep much from being so stiff! It took a revolutionary ballerina called Marie Taglioni to break away from those constricting costumes.
This dazzling Italian dancer realised that to perform her daring, athletic choreography, she needed more freedom. So, she took a bold leap - quite literally! She designed a shorter skirt that was made of layers and layers of tulle. Imagine the gasp from the audience - it was scandalous! A revolutionary movement of lightness and air! It truly freed up the body to move. This lighter and less restricting attire, and of course, the innovative moves she used to execute her routines, made ballet the artistic triumph that it is today! We are forever in her debt! Marie’s tutus, however, were white - as was most everything back then! Imagine - no bright, bold pinks, peaches, and reds to choose from. I can’t even fathom a ballet world with only white, how terribly boring!
It's incredible how this revolution sparked the evolution of the Tutu! Over the next century, tutus came in different lengths, colours, and embellishments. They continued to develop from being purely functional, becoming a key part of telling the story of each ballet. Each movement became more beautiful, the dancers more ethereal, and the choreography even more awe-inspiring!
But back to the present, my darlings. The Sleeping Beauty is a favourite of mine. As the audience watches Aurora wake from her long sleep, the choreography just flows. And what are our eyes drawn to? The exquisite sparkling tulle - of course!
Let's chat about tulle, shall we? It's the unsung hero of the tutu. Made from soft, transparent nylon, tulle can be made in endless colours. You're probably wondering "But Emma, how do they make it so beautifully layered?" This is a ballet secret passed down through generations. It's a laborious process! Each layer is carefully hand-sewn to create the shape, which brings that delightful bounce, twirl, and lightness to the tutu! It truly makes every step look like a masterpiece of effortless artistry.
Now, as a keen ballet buff, and with an insatiable curiosity for everything tutu-related, I believe in exploring all its iterations. There are many, many kinds of tutus, but to be truly "en pointe" in our discussion of the tutu, we need to explore the different categories. There are those fluffy romantic ones called Romantic Tutus - a signature element of the La Sylphide choreography! I particularly adore the 'Classical' Tutu; they feature more structure and precision - I’d wear one of these myself every day if I could! The tutu that really makes my heart beat faster though is the 'Faded Tutu'! Those light shades, with tulle in the most delicate of textures - pure loveliness.
Tutus don’t just live in the ballet world, you know. Have you noticed those gorgeous, whimsical, floaty tutus we see on dancers in ballet-inspired street performances? Those are usually the 'Pointe Shoe Tutu’ type. Let’s give a standing ovation to the tutu for finding its place everywhere, and with all types of ballerinas - from seasoned professionals to graceful street performers! You never know when a magical Tutu is going to appear next.
I’m already dreaming of our next adventure into Tutu Tuesday history. Until then, darlings, remember to always find a little grace and beauty in everyday life. Oh, and don’t be afraid to try on a tutu and feel like the most wonderful fairy-tale character ever!
Always wear a pink tutu, Your friend, Emma x
PS Be sure to let me know what tutu stories or facts you'd love to read about. Drop me a comment below, and follow @PinkTutu on Twitter! Let's keep the twirling going!
