Hello, my fellow tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your weekly dose of all things twirly and fabulous! 🩰
This Tuesday, we’re travelling back to 20th May, 2014! The air is alive with the excitement of a brand new week and my trusty pink tutu is positively tingling with anticipation.
Now, let's talk about Tutus. The epitome of grace and femininity, the tutu is an essential part of every ballerina's wardrobe, and frankly, every fashionista's life. Just ask my fabulous travel companion - my trusty vintage pink tutu - which has been to more grand theatres and glitzy premieres than I can count.
Today, we're celebrating the incredible evolution of this timeless piece of dancewear. It’s been quite a journey, you know. Imagine…
From humble beginnings…
…the tutu wasn’t always this dazzling symbol of grace and artistry. It started off much more practical in the early days of ballet, when the dancers needed a lighter and freer garment than the voluminous skirts of the courtly period. They had to move freely! It was like a "baby" version of the original crinolines! The first versions were actually made of white muslin, quite a far cry from the sumptuous tutus we know today.
The 1840s and the birth of a legend:
Fast forward to the Victorian era - a time when romanticism was all the rage, and along came the first romantic tutus! It was revolutionary! You had a fitted bodice and a multi-layered tulle skirt. Think Marie Taglioni’s iconic role in La Sylphide, which became an absolute sensation in 1832! The "ballerina" image was born, a dainty sprite swirling across the stage.
The evolution of tutus: Shorter and shorter, more dramatic:
Now, we enter the era of the "short" tutu. From the early 1900s, tutus started getting shorter and more dramatic.
It all boils down to The Swan Lake, you see. Marie Taglioni's tutu with all its romanticism? Out! In its place were tutus, with layers and layers of stiff tulle that were carefully shaped to accentuate each pose! Think ballerina’s legs beautifully sculpted in graceful extensions… that’s the look the designers wanted to emphasize.
The '40s and the triumph of "Classical" Tutus:
The '40s - well, they were all about perfecting the classical style, you see. The tutu as a perfect complement to graceful lines and fluid movements, not something fussy, but clean and bold…
This iconic shape is what you’ll find in ballets like Giselle, La Bayadère, and of course, Swan Lake. They’re pretty classic… And trust me, they don't just happen! Every inch of these tutus, each tulle ruffle is carefully considered and constructed by artisans who are passionate about this art. They take their time! There's a true story about each of those amazing tutu creations - every pleat and fold!
But it’s not just all about classic styles, though!
This past week, I actually went to a Royal Opera House production - one of my favourite places to go. A modern choreographed ballet with its contemporary interpretation of Swan Lake, they just re-invented the ballet, the way the whole tutu looked and felt! It's amazing what the ballet world does to evolve classic designs to showcase the talent of these incredible dancers. They brought a new energy, and a new life to the way the tutu moved on the stage. So fabulous!
Today's world - tutus for everyone!
Don’t think you need a pointe shoe to own your own tutu, my darling! From ballerinas to artists to musicians and even princesses all around the globe, this gorgeous piece of attire continues to bring joy to the world. Just ask the adorable kids at my local ballet school - they always tell me all about their new tutus with excited eyes!
But the most fun part is... you can have tons of fun playing around with a tutu! Think about it: the colors, the fabrics… the freedom to dance with joy!
Now, I think that’s it for today’s Tutu Tuesday! Don’t forget, you can keep up with me all week on pink-tutu.com, and join me next Tuesday as we continue our journey through time with another #TutuTuesday post!
Oh, and be sure to tag me on your #TutuTuesday adventures with photos of your own! 💖
Happy twirling! ✨
