Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing, ballet-loving, time-travelling fashionista! I'm back with another instalment of #TutuTuesday, my weekly dose of tutu history for you lovely lot.
Today, we're zipping back in time to 10th September 2013! Goodness, where to start?
For me, it was all about London that week, darlings! Imagine a whirlwind of theatre trips, fabulous shows, and endless window shopping, the perfect mix for any ballet enthusiast like myself. Honestly, I could have spent all week browsing through the most beautiful ballet shops! My latest acquisition was a pair of stunning pointe shoes with silver ribbon detail - I must show you all a photo soon!
Of course, no trip to London is complete without a visit to the theatre. And what a treat awaited me at the Royal Opera House. I got to witness the legendary Sleeping Beauty, the story of a beautiful princess cursed to sleep for a hundred years. Oh, the romance, the spectacle, the breathtaking costumes! Just divine. That evening, I was the envy of every Londoner! All I needed was a tiara, a glass slipper, and my trusty pink tutu for the full princess effect!
But before we delve into the glamorous present, let's turn our time machine to the past, to where it all began. I mean, where did these delightful, fluttering, tutus come from? It all began back in the 1830s with La Sylphide. Now, imagine the ballet stage without a single tutu, simply unthinkable! But there I was, staring at those incredible, billowing costumes of lace and muslin. Back then, they were still experimenting, just as we do today! These ballerinas weren't restricted by today's short and tight designs; they were flowing freely in all their billowing beauty!
Now, speaking of experimenting, can you believe they weren't even called tutus at first? You wouldn't even recognise the ballet from then. In those days, the only concern for the ballerinas was how the skirt helped their performance. Imagine, there was more thought about technique and how their movements flowed than how the costume made them look!
This all changed in the mid-19th century. With the likes of Marius Petipa, famous for Swan Lake, coming into the fold, the shape of the tutu finally took on the classic silhouette we adore today. You know, the fitted waist, the airy layers - absolutely beautiful! But there's more, darling! The skirt's length went through a significant transformation, making it shorter and more dramatic. Talk about a dramatic transformation for ballet!
By the 20th century, tutus started to have even more character. In fact, some would say, the iconic, bell-shaped skirt is a truly 20th-century invention! If it wasn't for those designers pushing boundaries and experimenting with fabric and shape, I wouldn't be able to share my love of the pink tutu with you! They revolutionized the ballerina look and inspired generations of designers.
That, dear friends, brings us back to the year 2013, where fashion and artistry were at the peak! Think about all the new styles and designs being created! What a time to be alive, eh? My time machine couldn't get enough! From the most beautiful Victorian-inspired designs to sleek modern ones, the tutu still reigned supreme. It was all about celebrating freedom of movement, grace, and that wonderful fairytale-like magic, darling. I was definitely getting my fix!
Of course, it wouldn't be #TutuTuesday without a little insight into how tutus evolved. You see, in 2013, things weren't always about staying classic. Contemporary designers were exploring different ways of using this timeless style, reinterpreting them and pushing the boundaries. Imagine all these beautiful tutus re-imagined in innovative, exciting ways! There was such an excitement about experimentation back then - which has certainly inspired me to try different looks, from tulle and satin to lace and chiffon!
But what was so special about September 10th, 2013?
You see, that was the day I witnessed a truly extraordinary ballet show, one that rekindled my love for tutus even further. Imagine, a ballerina, swirling on stage, her movements like liquid gold, adorned in a simple yet exquisite black tutu. The grace, the strength, the absolute artistry of her every move was captivating, leaving the audience utterly mesmerized! That was my true #TutuTuesday highlight that week - seeing a tutu at its most beautiful and captivating. It reminded me why I wear a tutu - for the joy, for the grace, and for the sheer beauty of ballet!
So, darlings, remember the magic of the tutu, it's about freedom, grace, and making a statement. If you have a tutu tucked away in your closet, or even just a fondness for the elegance, dust it off and don it! Celebrate your inner ballerina and unleash your confidence! After all, in my book, it's always TutuTuesday.
Don't forget to check back next Tuesday for another captivating dive into the world of tutus! Until then, embrace your inner ballerina and wear your tutus with pride, my dears.
Yours truly, Emma xoxo www.pink-tutu.com
