#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2014-12-09

Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing time travelling ballet enthusiast, back for another Tuesday with your dose of ballet history. Today, my time-traveling tutu landed me smack-dab in the middle of December 9th, 2014! Can you believe it's been almost a decade? Time really does fly when you're twirling!

Let's be honest, nothing screams "fairytale" quite like a perfectly billowing tutu. From the shimmering layers to the graceful flow, they’re simply magical. But you know me, always delving into the fascinating history of these wondrous garments! So grab your favourite cuppa and a slice of cake, and let's take a spin through the tutu timeline...

Remember how we often associate the tutu with Romantic Ballet? Well, that's exactly where it all began. Back in the 18th century, ballerinas wore long, flowing skirts, making movement and leaps rather restrictive. Enter the glorious "tutu à la Polaire", a revolutionary invention by Italian designer, Enrico Cecchetti, in 1894! This revolutionary creation consisted of multiple layers of stiff tulle.

Why a tutu? To showcase the ballerinas' grace and beauty. And you know what? It worked like a charm! This design gave them the freedom to dance with fluidity, effortlessly. The Romantic era was all about airy, graceful movements and the tutu, in all its airy glory, became synonymous with it.

As the 20th century arrived, the tutu was given a much-needed makeover. It took on many variations, reflecting the changing styles and techniques of the ballet world. In 1909, the French ballerina, Anna Pavlova, changed the game by sporting a shortened "tutu à la Paganini" – it had shorter layers and a streamlined, sophisticated look. And do you know what? That's how the modern tutu was born! The tutu had reached its peak and had truly become an iconic piece of fashion history.

Fast forward to the 1930s. Imagine a tutu, not stiff, but light and breezy - that's where the "tutu-soft" skirt was born! It was inspired by the "classical tutus," with flowing layers and an emphasis on feminine beauty. These airy and graceful designs became the norm in ballets like Giselle and Swan Lake, just picture those delicate swans gliding through the water, it was absolutely enchanting!

Oh, the different types of tutus out there! We have our classic “Romantic Tutu” which gives that billowing fairytale look; the “Tutu a la Paganini” with shorter layers and an elegant line, great for speedier choreography; the "Classic Tutu" for ballet class, and my favourite, the "Short Tutu," perfectly suited for modern and contemporary choreography. There's a tutu for every dancer's style and purpose, just like you!

Now, fast forward to 2014. The world of tutus was evolving further, and new variations and interpretations continued to be explored. Designers pushed the boundaries with colours and embellishments, adding unique textures and innovative fabrics. While tutus had a distinct and classic feel, in 2014, new takes were all about adding pops of vibrant colours, dramatic textures and a hint of avant-garde flair. Remember, the ballet world is an artform in constant evolution. Just like fashion!

So, 2014 was also a time for celebrating diversity. It was a time when choreographers, designers and dancers weren't afraid to explore new interpretations of the tutu. Whether it was contemporary dance pieces featuring modern tutu designs or even non-ballet performance styles integrating the tutu in a fun, innovative way, tutus were making their way into diverse fields! This gave us even more opportunities to witness the versatility of the tutu – proving once again that it's truly timeless and adaptable.

And today? Oh, darling, we've only gotten more bold and innovative! But remember, no matter how modern and expressive tutus get, there's a beauty and grace that makes the classic design the gold standard. So don't forget that old school tutu-magic when you see a show this week.

Speaking of shows! Today in 2014, I'd have caught myself catching a show of the brilliant, Sleeping Beauty by the Royal Ballet, at the Royal Opera House in London. Talk about a visual feast – beautiful dancers, gorgeous tutus, it was a ballet-lover's dream! Sadly I’m not allowed to do my famous spins in the theatre but oh, my darling, the dancers certainly looked gorgeous! I can just imagine myself up there on stage in my fabulous pink tutu. My time traveling is hard work you know.

So remember darlings, a pink tutu is an ode to timeless elegance and is perfect for any occasion – it can be fun, it can be dramatic, it can be classic, it can be avant-garde. Don’t be afraid to embrace the tutu’s versatility and the magical spirit it represents!

Until next week, happy twirling!

Emma x

PS: Don't forget to check out our #TutuTuesday posts on Instagram @pink-tutu – we're always up for seeing your latest tutu creations and adventures. Remember: A pink tutu is the perfect outfit for expressing your unique personality and for sharing the love of ballet!