#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2014-03-18

Oh my goodness, darlings, it's #TutuTuesday again! 🩰 💖

How are you all doing? I'm absolutely buzzing! Last week, I popped over to the Royal Opera House to see the most beautiful ballet production of "Swan Lake", I literally had butterflies in my stomach! And it's got me feeling all nostalgic about tutus. You know I love a good ballet tutu - the fluffier, the better!

But tutus aren't always all about ballet. Today, we're going on a whirlwind adventure back in time - imagine a time when fashion wasn't just about Instagram trends, when a tutu was a bold statement, a way to express yourself! We're time travelling to…drumroll… 18th March, 2014!

*Prepare for a journey through the history of ballet tutus - and trust me, this ain't no simple leap and a twirl! *

Alright, let's get our time machines ready! (Who knows how I get around? Shhh... it's a secret!) Today, we'll explore how tutus came to be those wispy, ethereal garments that we know and adore today!

First things first - imagine if I told you a ballet dancer wearing a fluffy, knee-length, pale pink tutu in 1832 was considered completely shocking? Yup! That's right! That year, the world of ballet had an upheaval. It was then that the ballerina Marie Taglioni, known for her breathtaking leaps and spins, broke ballet tradition! She stunned everyone by wearing a "tutu romantique", a revolutionary costume which consisted of layers of tulle. It was so unlike the long, restricting dresses they wore previously, and gave ballerinas much more freedom to move. Think about that! A tiny, billowy confection was like, a BIG deal!

So the story began. The "tutu romantique" soon caught on - its elegance and the graceful silhouette became an important symbol of the "romantic period" in ballet. And that's where tutus got their legendary status! It's basically a piece of fabric that has forever shaped what ballet looks like today!

Fast forward a bit - to 1880, where tutus really evolved into two main types. Think of it as a delicious choice - you know, a pick-and-choose for ballerina's styles! The "Classical tutu", the “Classical tutu”, the “tutu a la Pagnol”, a tiered tutu that went knee-length or above. The shorter the skirt, the more emphasis it placed on those beautifully poised legs and pointed feet. They had an ethereal elegance. A dream come true in every ballerina's heart, a vision in flowing fabric, if you will.

Meanwhile, the “tutu a la Russe”, that gorgeous multi-layered and fuller, longer design - we see it everywhere today! think "Swan Lake". It created an air of romantic grandeur with its intricate and fluffy design. That's what makes a true tutu special, my darlings, it enhances the dancer's beauty and moves in a mesmerizing way!

Think about how those iconic ballet classics we adore - from "Giselle" to "Swan Lake", were created around the elegance of the "tutu romantique" and the grandeur of the “tutu a la Russe".

The "tutu" of the 20th and 21st century evolved from all those elegant shapes of the past. From the fluffy tutu's and pastel colours that captured the delicate beauty of the ballet, it moved beyond those early styles and incorporated new materials like synthetic tulle which allowed for lighter, more comfortable designs - they look just as beautiful and amazing but they're perfect for fast paced and high flying ballet techniques! It was revolutionary, wasn’t it?

As the world got smaller thanks to air travel, so did the tutu world - inspiration came from other dances and styles. And that's why tutus were able to reinvent themselves in different shapes, sizes, and colours.

And guess what?! You know that playful, layered tutu worn in the Broadway production "Billy Elliot", with its striking yellow colour - that was a total rebellion of the traditional, romantic ballerina-style. It challenged the idea of the "tutu" being only for elegant and traditional dancing! It’s just shows how much tutus have adapted and evolved over time and made room for everyone to love them!

My darling pink-tutu wearers - it's not just about the ballet. If you ever needed an excuse to wear a tutu - today is the day!

So go on, give it a try - there’s nothing like the confidence you feel when you have the “pink-tutu power!” Don’t worry about the look - if it doesn’t feel comfortable, go on and make some changes to it - a belt or a ribbon!

And of course, don’t forget to dance! Even in your everyday life - just a twirl, a twirl! There's no age, shape, or size limitation - embrace the pink tutu attitude and enjoy all the wonderful feelings you get with the “pink tutu power”. You’ve got to give it a try!

I have to rush - I have a ballet class to catch. It’s going to be an exciting, twirly and sassy class and I can't wait to twirl around in my tutu! I’m off now, darlings! Remember to always keep the “pink-tutu power” and I will see you all next Tuesday, with even more tutu-tastic insights. 💖