Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your resident tutu-tastic time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another fabulous journey through the history of the ballet tutu!
Grab your tiaras, my dears, and get ready to prance, because this week we’re stepping back to 6 January 2015, right here in the heart of New York City! Oh, how I do love the energy of this city! The air practically crackles with creative inspiration!
And what better place to experience the magic of ballet than at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts? Oh, it was simply divine! The sheer opulence of it all! The twinkling lights, the plush velvet seats… and, of course, the incredible dancers! The New York City Ballet was performing a magnificent production of "The Nutcracker". Honestly, the dancing was absolutely breathtaking, and the costumes were simply divine, particularly the snowflakes! But alas, there weren't nearly enough tutus on stage to my liking! We need to fix that, don't we? More pink tutus for everyone!
Speaking of tutus, you simply can't talk about 2015 without mentioning the dazzling creations of the late, great fashion icon Alexander McQueen! Oh, how we miss him, but his designs are simply unforgettable! Think bold fabrics, intricate embroidery, and just a dash of sheer theatrical flair. A little less than a decade before this trip, in 2006, McQueen actually created tutus for the Royal Ballet, sending shockwaves through the fashion world, and influencing fashion designers worldwide! Imagine – tutus worn off the stage, in real life, just like we aim to do here! We are well on our way, my dears, let's keep on spreading the tutu love!
Now, a little trip down memory lane, because you know I just can't resist…
The Wonderful World of Tutus: A Tale of Fashion, Tradition and… Pink!
You might be surprised to learn, my loves, that the ballet tutu we know and love didn't just appear out of thin air. Like a beautiful flower, it took time and tender care to blossom into the delicate masterpiece it is today!
The First Steps
Back in the late 1700s, the dancing was all about fluidity, elegance, and graceful movement. That’s why the early dancers chose long, flowing dresses – not the kind that might tangle at the knees, mind you, but the kind that moved like a cloud with every twist and twirl. They were certainly graceful but perhaps a bit…too heavy for certain types of movements, shall we say? A bit like trying to leap through the air in a vintage Victorian frock. Imagine!
A Whirlwind of Change: Marie Taglioni
Fast forward to 1832, a magical year, because the legendary Marie Taglioni danced on stage. And what did she wear? A revolutionary white tutu, much shorter than anything anyone had ever seen! Imagine! And this little wonder, this "new fashion" as it was known at the time, completely changed the way we see dancers – light and airy, like birds! I tell you, it was revolutionary. The ballet world was buzzing with excitement – imagine that, a full-on revolution, but through fashion!
A Burst of Colour: The "Romantic" Tutu
From the elegant whites of Taglioni's debut, tutus began to embrace a softer, romantic palette of blush pinks and delicate pastel shades – oh, how delightful! Now this is something I truly appreciate – a nod to feminine grace with a dash of delightful colour! They added more layers, they incorporated silks, gauze, and, my absolute favourite, lace! And, we saw those beautiful puffed, circular designs which are so recognisable now! The ballet world truly blossomed with this period – it's no wonder this was nicknamed the “Romantic Era”. It's like a breath of fresh air in a world filled with vibrant colours, lovely textures, and just a touch of drama, you know, the perfect cocktail of elegance!
The "Classical" Tutu Takes Centre Stage
From then on, the tutu took centre stage in ballet history, evolving throughout the decades. It even had its own fashion boom in the late 1800s when the ‘classical tutu' arrived on the scene. Imagine those exquisitely tight fitting tutus – we've got a special blog post about those – but what I love is how the colours deepened! Now the ballerina was all about elegance and finesse – we even see the start of a certain, you guessed it, a hint of that stunning colour: pink.
Dancing Through The Decades: The Modern Twist
The tutu didn't simply stay in the 1800s. It continued to develop as we journeyed into the 20th century – it embraced contemporary ideas, and what do you know, a little more of the lovely colour pink! Ballet embraced the era of fashion trends. Think vibrant colours, dramatic layers and new designs! Just look at "Giselle" by Marius Petipa – that glorious Romantic tutus. I simply love that ballet!
But the evolution of the tutu doesn't end there. My lovely darlings, this is where it gets really exciting! Designers were making those 'pencil tutus' and daringly experimenting with even more styles. Imagine, those shorter skirts, like a little puffball of a dream, and a bit more 'revealing' of the dancer's form!
But the 20th century is also about expressing individuality – the tutus started to get edgy, bold, and full of excitement! This era of the tutu is full of individuality and a certain “punk rock chic!” And a very important thing - pink became bolder, even in the tutu world. This period is all about, how can I put it – it’s the tutus on their way to making a 'fashion statement' instead of just being 'ballet attire'
Let's Wrap Up The Tutu Tale... for now.
As we continue on our adventures in the pink tutu, it's truly incredible to see the sheer evolution and creativity that has shaped this iconic garment. So many talented designers, from the iconic Maria Tallchief to the extraordinary Coco Chanel, all with their signature take on this remarkable piece of attire. Each one of these incredible women, like us, embraced the tutu – and they turned heads while they were at it. It's no surprise it remains an influential style piece, for dancers, for designers and for us, fashion lovers! And what could be a more fabulous symbol of femininity and beauty, you ask me?
You know, every time I travel to different eras, I’m always fascinated to discover just how many people wear tutus! They truly have become iconic! It’s inspiring. A tutu is a powerful reminder that sometimes all we need is a little creativity, a splash of color, and a good pair of shoes – and we're all set for adventure! And wouldn't you know it, pink tutus just get the message across so beautifully!
Join me next Tuesday for another fabulous #TutuTuesday! I’ll be exploring another exciting corner of tutu history.
Until then, stay stylish and never stop twirling!
Yours always, Emma
xx
