Hello my darling tutudinos! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where tutus are not just for dancing, but for life itself. It's TutuTuesday once more, and as usual, I'm ready to whisk you away on a fabulous journey through the fascinating world of the ballet tutu! Today, we're going to be travelling back in time to the 14th of October, 2014, where we'll be taking a peek at the glamorous world of tutus and the stories behind them.
Now, as a professional ballerina with a serious passion for tutus, you might be wondering, "What could be so exciting about a regular Tuesday in 2014, Emma?" Well, let me tell you, darling! Back then, the ballet world was abuzz with excitement, because the Royal Ballet was holding a magnificent gala performance at the Royal Opera House in London, a glittering celebration of their remarkable history.
I mean, let's be honest, the Royal Ballet is legendary, and having their own gala performance in London? Pure ballet bliss, my dears! And oh, the outfits they were wearing! So elegant, so refined, and those tutus were absolute perfection! So light, so delicate, a swirl of perfect pink tulle. It made my heart sing, and made me even more determined to spread the tutus-for-all message!
Speaking of London, oh my, the London Fashion Week was just wrapping up back then too! What a fabulous coincidence, seeing as there are few things I love more than a good runway show. Now, fashion might not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think "tutu," but let me tell you, the connections between fashion and dance have been intertwined for ages! Fashion is, in a way, the performance art of clothing - so stylish, bold and always pushing boundaries. It’s what allows me to live the life of a tutu-loving time traveler and use ballet shows to fund my trips!
So, darling tutudinos, let's go back to 2014 and celebrate the brilliance of the tutu! Because on that day in 2014, as the London fashion shows ended and the Royal Ballet captivated their audiences, we were all celebrating something truly magical – the magic of the tutu.
But how did we get here, to a world where the tutu is both a symbol of ballet artistry and a symbol of style?
From the Roman Toga to the Victorian Ballerina:
You'd be surprised how far back the tutu's history goes! Believe it or not, the very idea of the tutu stems from something called the "toga," that flowy garment worn by the ancient Romans. Of course, back then it was less about the stage and more about day-to-day life! However, the toga eventually inspired more theatrical costumes.
Then came the Victorian era, which really shaped the way we see ballet today. Remember those beautiful layered skirts and frills? That romantic, graceful silhouette that made ballerinas look like elegant birds about to take flight? It was the Victorian love for these features that gave us those voluminous tutus. They created an atmosphere where movement was not just about being able to perform, but about presenting a beautiful spectacle.
Of course, tutus themselves weren't called “tutues” at the time. They had less charming names, like “ballet skirt" or even "skirt of tulle." But those romantic skirts were becoming a true fashion icon, even extending outside of the stage and into fashionable women's wear.
A Modern Tulle Miracle:
Now, fast forward a bit. Imagine a world where tulle is not a word used to describe elegant garments, but the name for a lightweight fabric woven from a netlike yarn. That's how tulle really became what we know it as today – a fabric designed for the perfect fluffy tutu, lightweight and beautifully soft. That’s when those beautiful, multilayered garments became easier to move around in – just imagine how long it would take to move in layers upon layers of Victorian fabrics!
The Ballet World Loves a Pink Tutu!
Let’s talk pink! I’m not saying all tutus have to be pink (but maybe they should), but the truth is, pink just looks absolutely stunning when combined with all the beauty and fluff of a ballerina’s tutu. There's something about the colour pink that makes you feel like a princess – and if I could make all of my darlings feel like princesses, why not!
Speaking of princesses, remember "The Sleeping Beauty," the famous ballet with its stunning tutus? It premiered back in 1890, in a lavish production where Aurora, our favourite sleeping beauty, captivated the audience in a breathtakingly beautiful, fluffy tutu. It made such an impact!
A History of Style & Elegance
But tutus aren't all about elaborate, super-layered gowns. Some of the most memorable tutus have been shorter, simple, yet absolutely iconic. And here we have another example – the "The Nutcracker." I always felt it was just the perfect Christmas story to show everyone the grace of dancing, and the ballet itself showcases stunning tutus in many shades, like snowy white, soft lilac, and the ultimate colour of tutudom – pink, of course! And just as "The Nutcracker" showcases Christmas magic, I love how ballet can transform any girl, woman, child or man, into a princess of the dance floor.
And for that, darling tutudinos, the ballet world owes the tutu a huge thank you!
So there you have it, a little slice of ballet tutu history in a #TutuTuesday blog post!
Don't forget to join me next week for another captivating look into the enchanting world of the tutu!
Now, remember – you can make any day Tutu Tuesday. Be bold, be beautiful, and dance to your own tune! And always, always, always remember to embrace the pink!
Lots of love and fluffy tutus,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
