#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2014-06-24

Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's me, Emma, your favourite pink-obsessed, tutu-twirling, ballet-mad blogger, back for another exciting Tuesday with all things tutu.

Today, I'm taking us back in time for a tutu-tastic trip to the wonderful world of ballet history!

It's 24th June, 2014 and the sun is shining brightly as I, well, let's say...temporarily reside in the most magical ballet city in the world - Paris! Imagine it: cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, the aroma of freshly baked pastries...and, of course, the most elegant tutus you could ever dream of!

I landed here by train - nothing beats that elegant journey - and was instantly charmed by the chic Parisian fashion and the lively chatter all around. Today, though, I’m not just here for the haute couture. No, today is all about those glorious, frilly, and iconic tutus, the heart of every ballet dancer and my absolute passion.

Now, I’m a firm believer that a tutu is never just a tutu. It's a work of art, a symbol of grace and power, and a fashion statement that truly stands the test of time. Let’s dive in to this fascinating garment’s history…

As always, there's a wonderful tale to be told here. Long before tutus were seen gracing the stage, the ballet was a completely different beast! The ballet dancers of the Renaissance wore long, flowing garments - think corsets, panniers and even gowns with a dramatic train! Can you imagine? Just trying to leap and twirl in those beautiful but extremely impractical designs?!

So, it was the grande dame of ballet, Marie Taglioni, who first championed the use of tutus as we know them! Now, there was a woman who understood fashion and form! In 1832, she made her first entrance in La Sylphide – and a true fashion revolution took place. Marie waltzed into the world in her revolutionary, flowing Romantic tutu, a diaphanous masterpiece made of tulle, which reached to just below her knees. It was revolutionary because it freed her movements and allowed her to fly! No more restriction of those full-length skirts! Imagine a little bird soaring, flitting about, graceful and magical - that was her effect! And the rest, as they say, is history!

Now, we know what you’re thinking: "Emma, tell us about the classic tutu!" Okay, my tutu-loving pals, let’s sash-ay onto the famous "tutu a la grecque".

It made its dazzling debut in the early 20th century. This style has been an enduring favorite of dancers and audiences alike. Think swirling, voluminous skirts, made from tiers and tiers of tulle. They offer a powerful visual impression, a majestic sense of presence on stage. Imagine an abundance of cascading tulle, just like a ballet skirt! A glorious pom pom of tulle on the legs. Oh, the possibilities are endless. There’s also a more “petite” version of the classic tutu, the “ tutu pique.” This tutu reaches the knee. They say that the famous ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky was among the first to wear this “petite” classic style in 1908. So the next time you see this beautiful version on stage, take a minute to appreciate the beauty of this style and all those hours of stitching!

But of course, there’s always room for innovation and flair! Ballet fashion is so incredibly diverse – just look at all the different designs used in shows! There are the bell tutus, that gently flare like a flower blossoming! There’s also the beautiful bodice tutu , where the skirt flows from a corseted waist. And then, there are even tutus like the basque tutu , made from more panels. Imagine the work and creativity that goes into every single stitch.

### Tutu Trends Today:

These days, the world of ballet tutus is truly exciting! We are seeing more daring and experimental designs than ever before. Choreographers like Wayne McGregor are bringing incredible contemporary work to life through daringly original designs. I’ve been so lucky to travel to the most exciting performances across the globe, catching breathtaking performances from the greats - from The Royal Ballet to the New York City Ballet and many more - I simply can’t get enough!

Of course, every dancer is different. Their tutus are chosen carefully to reflect their own individuality and style. You might see a dancer on stage with a tutu perfectly capturing a specific personality, or a unique way of interpreting a ballet movement! What is your favorite tutu? Maybe it's a ballerina's graceful arabesque as she gracefully unfolds in a tulle tutu that sweeps like the wings of a beautiful swan? Maybe you love to see how a dramatic performance looks against a tulle design? Each piece of clothing contributes something special to every production.

The beauty of these pieces goes far beyond the stage too. Every ballerina knows that the magic of the tutu isn’t just in the performance – but it is in wearing it too. Have you ever stepped into your practice tutu and felt yourself ready to dance? You can almost feel the character take over your body, like stepping into a different world! There's just something truly special about slipping into a pink tutu and dancing around the living room - even just for a minute - your whole being feels transformed. That’s what’s so unique and wonderful about ballet - it takes us on a beautiful and magical journey each and every time we don our tutus!

As I stroll through Paris today, I’m so thrilled to see all the tutus in their shop windows - and you just know I’m ready to snag one (or several)! This year, a gorgeous new fashion collection, "Pink Flamingo" from designer Simone Rocha, will take over the stage and bring her take on a ballet-inspired trend to a global audience. How exciting is that?!

I just know we’ll see tons of these beautiful tutu-inspired garments flooding our fashion magazine pages. The designers at Gucci are doing a wonderful job bringing us classic designs with that modern touch. And who could forget the brilliant Viktor and Rolf designs from a few years ago? That stunningly original tulle “skirt” and dress creation is an absolutely tutu-mazing design that captured everyone's hearts (and made everyone want to twirl!) I also spotted another of my favorite designers - Marc Jacobs, who is taking his inspirations from the ballet for his AW14 show. His collection will be dazzling. And it looks as though designers like Rodarte are going to create beautiful collections in the same vein, too - oh, the tutu-ific things to come this year!

So, whether you're dancing, crafting, designing, or simply admiring from afar, there's something about a tutu that makes everyone happy!

As a quick reminder: Don’t forget your #TutuTuesday selfies! Let's see what amazing tutu adventures you're up to on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! Tag me in your posts - I would love to see!
Until next Tuesday, dear friends - may your twirls be light, your steps graceful, and your tutus beautiful!

**With twirling love,

Emma**