Bonjour mes amies! 🩰
Welcome back to another Tuesday, and another installment of my #TutuTuesday blog, where I travel through time, tracing the history of the magical tutu.
It’s a cold, crisp December morning here in Paris – and you know what that means? 🥶 It's time for my favourite things: hot chocolate, a stunning show at the Palais Garnier, and, of course, tutus! After all, what could be better than feeling the tulle swish around you as you pirouette through the Parisian streets?
Today’s topic is something rather special. We’re venturing into the not-so-distant past, to a time when the world was embracing the "new wave" of everything: music, fashion, art... you name it! This was the time of bell bottoms, big hair, and yes, a bit of rebellious punk rock thrown in for good measure. And believe it or not, the tutu was right there alongside, ready to embrace the change.
Today we're talking 10th December, 2013. Now, before I start reminiscing (which, I'll admit, is something I enjoy immensely), I'm feeling a little nostalgic. It seems like just yesterday I was rocking my favourite pink tutu at a stunning performance by the Bolshoi Ballet. They were presenting "Swan Lake" at the London Coliseum. I must admit, a show in London really does hold a special place in my heart. The sheer opulence, the sheer beauty of it all… I was in complete awe! 😍
But back to 2013. Now, you might be wondering how the humble tutu fit into a time so full of rock 'n' roll, platform shoes, and… well, quite a lot of hairspray!
The truth is, the tutu was just as relevant, even more so than you might think. You see, it had already started its journey as a symbol of liberation and rebellion. Remember how I said we were seeing a "new wave" of everything? 🎶 Well, ballet wasn't exempt. Ballet was, at this time, undergoing a thrilling evolution of its own, with choreographers pushing the boundaries and breaking the traditional norms.
Ballet in 2013, was still seen as an incredibly glamorous and elite activity, yet this period saw the emergence of ballet's counterculture. You could have found these experimental ballet troupes staging bold performances on rooftops and street corners! 🤸♀️ Think “ballet in the streets". This was a very exciting time and you just felt there was so much creativity happening, and new artistic visions springing up every day. It was a revolution, but with a dash of elegance!
Let's talk tutu styles. Think vibrant colours, innovative designs and experimental fabrics. Some of the most exciting choreographers at this time were exploring themes of social commentary through movement, bringing contemporary dance and a dash of street culture into the graceful world of ballet. It was all so inspiring! ✨
For example, take a look at the work of Wayne McGregor, whose bold and thrilling pieces challenged conventions and captured the raw emotion and urban energy of the time. He was all about reimagining ballet and embracing the possibilities. 💥 He used interesting fabrications like stretch materials - giving dancers the ability to move freely and be expressive, adding a whole new dimension to how we perceived dance!
The tutus from that era had this amazing mix of the classical and the avant-garde. The classical remained important – we're talking romantic tutus with exquisite details and perfect silhouettes, crafted with exquisite materials. But they also had a contemporary twist: you could find everything from asymmetrical cuts to bold and striking colours that really set those classical lines alight. 💫
The tutu, at this time, really started to express an individuality, as opposed to being merely part of a ballet company uniform. Dancers were becoming bold and embracing creativity by opting for their own unique tutu designs, showing off a sense of personality that wasn't previously seen. They had an inner ballerina voice that was loud and clear!
I find it incredibly empowering to see the tutu morph and adapt through the years. We might have some fun traditions that carry through time, but there’s nothing quite as thrilling as watching ballet as it reinvents itself. 💪
To round up my thoughts on 2013 and tutus, I’m seeing some incredible trends that carry right through to our time - from the reimagined, ultra-feminine tutus that bring the romantic aesthetic into the 21st century. These tutus capture that timeless grace, but in new ways. Even today you’ll see embellishments, sparkly trims, and soft hues, but there’s also boldness, colour-blocking and layering, bringing an extra dash of glamour to the mix. It's simply enchanting! 😍
Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and follow me on my ballet journey through time. It's all about embracing the wonder of ballet, the magic of the tutu, and sharing this love for a form of dance that's simply timeless! 💗
Remember, girls: “Always remember, you’re a masterpiece.”
Until next week, and always,
Emma 💖
