#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2014-11-11

Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveler, back with another #TutuTuesday post from your favourite ballet history blog, www.pink-tutu.com! Today, we're twirling through time to November 11th, 2014, and, oh my goodness, what a fashionable year it was! (And of course, I’m wearing a magnificent hot pink tutu with shimmering silver sequins - a real head-turner! 💖)

This week I took a train trip to Paris, which is just bursting with fabulous fashion! Honestly, the style is just divine - and don't even get me started on the tutus! Paris is certainly the capital of ballet, wouldn’t you agree? There’s so much inspiration here, especially for someone like me, obsessed with the history of the ballet tutu.

Now, let’s chat about the tutu – that quintessential ballet garment! You know I adore a good tutu - who doesn’t?! It’s a symbol of grace, artistry, and well, sheer fabulousness. And the best part? The evolution of the tutu is simply a magical story.

From Court to Stage

Way back in the 16th and 17th centuries, tutus, or rather their very early beginnings, were more like voluminous, heavy gowns worn by ladies of the court, often adorned with lace and embroidery. Think Renaissance and Baroque vibes. Of course, we’re talking practicality over elegance - dancing in these was probably a bit more ‘lumber’ than ‘leaps’.

But as time went on, so did the evolution of the tutu.

In the early 1800s, as ballet as we know it began to evolve, so did the wardrobe. We saw a transition from those stiff, heavy garments to lighter, more form-fitting ones. It was all about showcasing the ballerina’s elegant lines and intricate movements - and tutus began to be a staple in performances.

The Romanticism Era: A Tutu Tale

Oh, the romantic period of ballet! That was a glorious time, a truly transformative one, especially for the tutu. You could say the romantic era really brought the tutu into its own! Ballet dancers like Marie Taglioni brought the vision to life, with her famous leaps and turns, requiring her to wear lightweight costumes that didn’t hinder her movements.

Here, the first tutus – the iconic “Romantic tutu” emerged. We are talking flowing tulle skirts with multiple layers – oh-so-graceful, romantic and feminine! You know I adore these – they’re absolutely dreamy and, honestly, the epitome of ballerina beauty.

The "Classical" Tutu Takes Center Stage

Now, we come to the later half of the 19th century, with Marius Petipa taking the world by storm. Think ballets like Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. Those performances really brought out the brilliance of the "Classical tutu", with its shorter skirt. A firm favourite of mine, this style perfectly emphasized the ballerina’s strength and athleticism. I just love the way they move! They're airy, elegant, and powerful.

A Whirlwind of Styles

Moving on to the 20th century, the tutu truly hit its stride. Imagine my delight at all the exciting variations in designs!

• We saw the “Demi-tutu”, which has a longer skirt and often uses stiffer materials, perfect for those elegant and controlled dance moves.

• Then there's the "Balloon tutu", named for its large, almost bulbous, bell shape, giving an ethereal, graceful feel - definitely a real head-turner!

• We can’t forget the "Pancake tutu", a much simpler style made of tulle in circular layers and giving a more practical look for modern-day dance styles - but let’s face it, who could forget a tutu in a performance, even a more functional one!

  What Will the Tutu Be Wearing in 2014?

I travelled to a ballet performance at the Palais Garnier today to check out the latest tutu trends and oh-my-goodness, there’s so much happening! In 2014, there’s still such a demand for classic romantic styles - those beautiful tulle skirts that cascade to the floor just enchant me. The "Demi-tutu" is incredibly popular as well – so versatile for any dancer. But we also saw designers experimenting with modern looks – tutus made from satin or silks and other innovative designs, and let’s not forget tutus with bold colour accents, glitter, or even feathers – the creativity knows no bounds! Oh, the colours! Such fabulous splashes of colour – magenta, fuchsia, scarlet - the options are truly endless!

I was truly blown away by the performance I saw at the Palais Garnier today – I must confess, I got a little emotional! (Honestly, seeing the pure beauty of dancers makes me so happy.) It felt truly special to witness this beautiful, historic art form and see it being reimagined for the 21st century. I know for a fact that I can't wait for the tutus that the future holds! What will 2023, 2024, and beyond bring? The potential is limitless, darling!

And, that’s it for this week, my darling friends! Thank you for joining me on this fun #TutuTuesday tour. Don't forget to join me next Tuesday for a brand-new post! I've got my sights set on 20th Century ballets and I have so many exciting things to share!

As always, keep spreading the love for tutus. Maybe one day, I'll get everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu! 😉

Until next time, keep on twirling!

Love, Emma 💖