Hello, darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling blogger, Emma, back again for another #TutuTuesday adventure. Today, I'm taking us on a whimsical journey through time, exploring the evolution of the beloved ballet tutu!
Now, gather around my dear readers, let’s travel back to the 13th of August 2013 – the very date we’re in, although for me, of course, this is a trip to the past!
Where shall we begin? Hmmm… how about the heart of Paris, home to the magnificent Paris Opera Ballet? It was right here in 1832 that the first version of the tutu, as we know it, began its dazzling career on stage. The year is 1832, the iconic Italian dancer Marie Taglioni was about to shock the world with her rendition of “La Sylphide.” Gone were the long, heavy skirts of the previous era. In their place? A dazzling creation: a white, tulle skirt, short and diaphanous. It billowed like a dream, a whirlwind of movement as Marie danced with the grace of a wisp of smoke. It was truly a revelation!
Now, I can just imagine all those theatre patrons, jaws on the floor, marvelling at her newfound freedom of movement, just a flutter of the most exquisite fabric – it would have been truly magical, just picture it! The little tutu’s success was instantaneous!
Fast-forwarding through time a little… We arrive at the glorious golden era of ballet. Russia, that magical land of magnificent theatre, was alive with artistic fervour. I mean, everyone in the world wanted a piece of Russian ballet, the talent just flowed! And oh, my goodness, the tutus… Just imagine rows and rows of ballerinas in gorgeous tutus, every stitch, every colour a symphony of art, it’s just exquisite! This was the era of the “Romantic” tutu – flowing, diaphanous, it truly celebrated the ethereal elegance of ballet. They really understood the power of tulle in this time.
But, of course, dear friends, the little tutu is constantly evolving – just like fashion, itself, it changes, reflects the world around it, reflects the dreams and emotions we’re all feeling. In the early 20th century, we had a dramatic shift! A movement away from that billowing, almost “floaty” romantic style. Enter the “Classical Tutu” - shorter, stiffer, even more, precise, creating the illusion of sculpted muscle beneath it, really showcasing a ballet dancer's strength.
Oh, darling! It was this classic tutu which I simply adored during the 1950s – that sleek, streamlined shape, almost architectural in design. Think iconic ballerinas like Margot Fonteyn and Alicia Markova, simply stunning, the picture of poise and perfect technique! The classics!
Right, so, I just mentioned the 1950s, what an absolute thrill to have been alive then. You know it was all about that fabulous fifties “New Look” by Dior, the big, billowing skirts! Well, the tutu was part of this fashion wave too! So many fabulous looks emerged in the theatre and dance. We were just beginning to move towards that era where dance took to the stage in all sorts of forms, it was just so wonderfully diverse, and yes, of course, the little tutu danced along with the fashions and the times, we’re all evolving, and it's always been exciting to be a part of it!
I also adored the late 20th century. Oh my, those colours, that variety! Designers really experimented, taking the humble tutu and transforming it into so many dazzling variations. Tutu-shaped fashion appeared in everyday dress, too. Those fashion houses were designing all kinds of incredible looks with the tulle, just using that floaty, graceful vibe everywhere they could, from dresses to shoes, accessories. It was fun, fresh, a breath of air, I absolutely loved it.
Well, here we are in the 21st Century – that magical time we find ourselves right now. It seems the tutu has become this very real emblem of creativity, imagination and all things feminine! We’ve seen designers, like McQueen, Chanel, Dior – all of them experimenting, pushing boundaries, showcasing their incredible talents, using tulle as a key element in some of their finest creations. What could be better!
Back in 2013, well… right now, it was a great year for ballet fashion, dear readers! Let’s have a little chat about what caught my eye at the time:
- I fell absolutely in love with the exquisite "Nutcracker" production in London at The Royal Opera House - gorgeous costumes, with shimmering layers of tulle, those glorious, billowing skirts. Truly breathtaking!
- Another absolute treat – the Bolshoi Ballet's stunning new production of “Swan Lake” – the tutus were the colour of pearl, glistening in the light of the stage. Just gorgeous!
- And let's not forget about New York's Ballet Theater. They really wowed the crowds with their colourful interpretation of “Cinderella” - there were bright blue tutus, gorgeous gold hues - so many delicious colours!
Yes, ballet tutus - a journey through time, a reflection of our hopes, dreams and a powerful symbol of feminine elegance and style. It seems they are here to stay, captivating our imaginations, captivating the hearts of theatre-goers and ballet lovers worldwide!
So there we are my dear readers. That's our TutuTuesday for the week – don’t forget, to find me next Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com - the place to be for all the very best ballet tutus, and let's keep those pink tutus swirling!
Emma (xxx)
