Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller, back from another whirl through history. As always, it's Tuesday, so you know what that means - #TutuTuesday! Let's take a trip down memory lane, and uncover the delightful story of the tutu, in all its frilly, twirly glory, right here on www.pink-tutu.com, where every day is tutu-ific!
The Dance of Time - May 28th, 2013
This week I landed myself right smack bang in the middle of London! Oh, the excitement! Just think of all the fashion and the shows, the delightful clatter of theatre shoes and the sheer glamour! My time-travelling train (pink, of course, what else!), dropped me off right by the Royal Opera House. Naturally, I donned my favourite pink tutu – it simply screamed “I'm a ballerina!” - and dashed to the shops for some chic new finds, you can never have too many tutus, darling!
Today, though, let's chat tutus, shall we? I know, I know, you're dying to know more! So, imagine this – May 28th, 2013. The date alone just drips with history. In the world of ballet, we're talking about the iconic designs of the past. Picture those beautifully crafted tulle skirts that took the stage by storm. It's an age where romantic tutus - a swathe of airy, diaphanous tulle - reign supreme.
We are in a tutu paradise, ladies! So much time has been spent crafting the perfect tutu for all kinds of ballerinas - the tiny, precious, toe-tapping little ones right through to the mighty graceful graceful ballerinas like, oh, let's say... I can't mention any names, that would be time travel sacrilege! Suffice to say that even the ballerinas who took centre stage in their iconic performances today would have donned a stunning tutu that took the audience's breath away.
Now, the tutu wasn’t always such a star! Did you know that back in the day, tutus started off as pretty little under-skirts – almost a hidden gem waiting to shine! The “tutu” you know and love? It blossomed into what it is today thanks to the ingenious vision of the early 19th-century ballet dancer, Marie Taglioni. This trailblazing lady revolutionised the whole stage with her stunning dance performances – her steps and style! They weren’t your ordinary balletic moves; they were all about delicate, graceful steps and poses, perfectly accentuated by a breathtaking, floating skirt that shimmered with every movement. She embraced movement, a movement that captured the very essence of flight!
By 1837, Marie’s legendary performance, the "La Sylphide", debuted a brand new kind of tutu - lighter and much shorter than previous iterations! The old-fashioned, restrictive ballet costume, with its long layers, just couldn't hold a candle to the airy elegance of the new romantic tutu. It truly epitomized that beautiful feeling of ethereal grace.
Since then, it’s been an explosion of tutu styles! You have your “Romantic tutu” – a flowing, cascading wonder, reaching just above the knees. A true star, if I do say so myself, especially in ballets like "La Bayadere". And then, there’s the majestic “Classical tutu” – a wide, fluffy dream of layers of tulle and stiff fabric that almost stand up on their own! Perfect for ballets like "Giselle", a ballet brimming with grandeur! It makes every dancer appear majestic, almost royalty!
Tutus weren't just confined to ballerinas - the theatre was bursting with elegant dresses inspired by the tutu style. These designs brought the magic of the tutu off the stage and into the everyday world! It was the perfect addition to any outfit, a stylish way to inject a dose of femininity and flair.
Tutus, of course, haven't remained static over the years! They are constantly evolving - imagine the gorgeous tutus they’ve created just since my last trip here, with new styles and innovative fabrics popping up all the time. I mean, just the sheer amount of tutus and styles and variations... oh, dear! It truly is the perfect wardrobe for any budding ballerina. Just think – you'll find anything and everything: lace, feathers, sparkles, the possibilities are literally endless! You just have to choose!
I absolutely adore the evolution of the tutu; it's an excellent reflection of the ballet world and how much it changes and flourishes as the years go by. A stunning illustration of that beautiful journey from its humble beginnings to its absolute reign over the ballet world!
My Personal Tutu Tips!
A tutu is all about confidence and letting your inner ballerina shine! Wear it with pride and joy – that’s the magic that truly makes it shine! Remember: Never shy away from a bit of colour and sparkles! Embrace it all! Don't be afraid to experiment with different styles. You'll be surprised at how fun and empowering a tutu can make you feel. And, my final tip - always, ALWAYS wear it with a big, beautiful smile!
Oh, and let's not forget, the world needs more tutus! Every day can be Tutu Tuesday! Don't forget to post your tutu moments and tag them with #PinkTutu!
I’ll catch you all next Tuesday, darlings. But until then, may your days be full of tutus and joy. I'm off on another exciting time-traveling adventure. I just adore ballet, fashion and travelling - such a wonderful way to explore the world and its beauty.
