Hiya lovelies! It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another dose of Tutu Tuesday! This week we’re diving into the fascinating history of the tutu. And trust me, my darlings, there’s a whole lot of twirling to be done before we get to the grand finale!
I'm currently ensconced in Paris, the city that makes every woman feel like a princess. A whiff of croissants in the morning, a visit to the Louvre, and then a sumptuous afternoon tea with delicate pastries and hot tea… truly, there is no place more magical! And oh my goodness, the fashion! I just can’t help myself when it comes to a fabulous vintage dress and a feather boa to complete the look!
Today is April 29th, 2014. And wouldn't you know it, there's a ballet going on at the Palais Garnier tonight! It's "Giselle," a tragic but breathtaking romance, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
But before we get lost in the waltz, let’s talk about the star of the show: the tutu. Those whimsical, floating layers of tulle that turn our favourite ballerinas into graceful ethereal beings. Who doesn’t love the feeling of a tutu swirling around your legs?
You might be surprised to learn that the tutu wasn’t always a fashion staple for ballerinas. It's had quite a fascinating journey, just like our love for ballet itself.
The evolution of the tutu can be traced back to the Romantic era, a time of dramatic flourishes in everything, from literature to fashion. The French Revolution sparked a yearning for simpler times, with nature playing a crucial role in artistic expressions. Ballerinas at this time, while elegant, were bound by tight corseted costumes and heavy skirts. It’s amazing they could even take a step, let alone pirouette!
It was Maria Taglioni, the world-renowned Italian ballerina, who paved the way for the revolutionary, airy tutu. Imagine a graceful nymph flitting across a moonlit stage - that was Maria’s iconic style. The year was 1832, and the dance was "La Sylphide," a dreamy, almost spiritual dance inspired by nature and fairies.
And what did she wear? A knee-length, simple dress with a shorter skirt made of tulle that flowed around her feet like gossamer wings. It was a stunning departure from the heavier, constricting attire of the past. This dress revolutionised ballet costume and was quickly dubbed the "tutu"!
Think about this for a moment: one ballerina, one groundbreaking dance, one elegant costume that changed the course of dance history!
The next phase of the tutu story began in the late 19th century with the development of "La Technique Française." You’ve seen those statuesque, towering ballerinas with their unbelievable extensions and jumps - that's all due to the demanding technique developed in France, which is what defines classic ballet we know and love today!
To accommodate this new, even more agile style, the tutu evolved again, growing even shorter to accentuate those incredible legs!
The iconic "tutu-on-a-frame" emerged as the staple for “classical" ballet. Now, these were truly spectacular, like elaborate cages of airy tulle, framing the dancers like whimsical fairy lights. And you wouldn’t be wrong to assume they could take a couple of days to create!
A ballerina on stage adorned in such a magnificent garment becomes more than just a dancer; she becomes an image of ethereal beauty, an angel dancing in a cloud of tulle. Imagine being one of those exquisite creatures gliding across the stage - ah, it truly is magic!
But wait, there's more!
In the 20th century, the tutu was a playful canvas for a more dynamic style of dancing: modern ballet. Modern dance brought a more fluid, sometimes edgy feel to ballet, exploring social and emotional themes with more freedom than the classic styles.
Of course, modern dancers would need a new tutu for the modern era. We've seen short, flirty, loose tutus for more intimate, expressive styles, and longer, flowing tutus, more reminiscent of the Romantic period. These tutus can also be made of a wider range of materials, such as velvet, satin, or silk, adding to their versatility.
Today, there are so many amazing variations and styles to explore - there's something for every taste and personality! I think we can all agree that no matter what form it takes, a tutu will always symbolise elegance, femininity, and of course, the magical world of ballet!
Oh, how I would love to see a ballet on the origins of the tutu itself! It could tell the story of Taglioni, and of the French and Russian dancers who shaped it throughout the decades! Imagine the possibilities – an elegant costume designer with their exquisite collection, and a troupe of dancers who perfectly capture the spirit of each style and era.
So what do you say, darlings? Who's ready to embrace their inner ballerina with a tutu?
And don’t forget, let’s share our Tutu Tuesday experiences! Tag me on your tutu selfies, tell me your favourite ballet styles, share what your ideal ballet performance would look like… we’re a community of tutu-lovers united by our shared passion for all things dance!
See you next week for another dose of #TutuTuesday history, darlings!
Love, Emma
P.S. If you are in Derbyshire like me, do tell! What's your favourite place to buy tutus? I'm on a mission to visit every tutu boutique in the county!
