#TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History - 20th January 2015 ๐ฉฐ๐
Hey everyone! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! Today's date, the 20th of January 2015, might not sound like anything special, but trust me, it's a date that holds some serious fashion magic! Today we're going to delve into the swirling world of tutus, exploring a date where this iconic piece of dancewear made some seriously stylish waves!
But first, let's get the essentials out of the way! Iโm currently writing this from my gorgeous little flat in the heart of London. I just adore this city โ so much amazing ballet to see and so many lovely little boutiques tucked away, bursting with the most fabulous shoes and sparkly things! You wouldn't believe the gorgeous beaded top I found for a steal in a little vintage shop just this morning - just the thing to wear to my next performance! Speaking of performances, I was fortunate to catch the Royal Ballet doing 'Giselle' last night! The choreography was absolutely stunning and the ballerinas, well, they were breathtaking. But that's not what's on our minds today. Today, we're on a mission: to discover the secrets of tutus!
This is my 9,552nd post, and you know how much I adore diving into the world of fashion and its fascinating connection to dance history! And trust me, the story of the tutu is an incredibly fascinating one, filled with elegance, artistry, and of course, plenty of beautiful pink! ๐
So let's rewind back to the 1830s. Can you picture it? Romantic ballet is at its peak, with intricate choreography and a new focus on airy, flowing movements. The "tutu" as we know it doesn't really exist yet! Dancers wore billowing skirts, almost like dresses, which wouldn't allow the same freedom of movement.
Then, enter Marie Taglioni, a famous Italian ballerina and absolute fashion icon! This remarkable woman is considered by many to be the inventor of the "tutu" as we know it. The first ever tutu! Can you imagine! She appeared in a ballet called "La Sylphide" with a knee-length, light and airy skirt! And it changed EVERYTHING! This new style of dress not only allowed dancers greater mobility, but it emphasized their movement and brought a whole new level of elegance and lightness to ballet. Imagine all those pretty pink ribbons twirling around!
Now, in 2015, while you might see tutus at every ballet school and every performance around the globe, their design has evolved. They have become less and less "frilly" throughout the 20th century, becoming shorter and more streamlined, like the ones you see worn by ballerinas today.
What's happening with the tutu right now in 2015? Let me tell you, this year's hot new style is the Romantic Tutu, inspired by those iconic ballerinas of the past like Taglioni! Think swirling layers of tulle, lots of frills, and some beautiful embellishments. Imagine wearing something that moves with such grace, highlighting every jump, leap and twirl! Now that's something I can get behind! And luckily, it seems I'm not the only one who is excited about this trend! In the last year alone, the Romantic Tutu has made appearances in a number of prestigious ballet productions around the globe, rekindling a love for the historical beauty and elegant artistry of ballet.
Today in 2015, fashion is heavily inspired by the 1980s, a period brimming with bold colours and daring trends, and these inspirations can be found in tutus as well! So many contemporary designers are working with strong colors, metallic fabrics and bold silhouettes to bring a unique twist to this iconic dancewear staple. I'm talking sequins, layers, and pops of bright pink, all wrapped up in one fantastic piece of wearable art!
In conclusion, dear reader, whether you're a ballerina yourself, a passionate ballet enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates a bit of sartorial wonder, remember that the tutu has been dancing with us for a long time! The legacy of Marie Taglioni's revolutionary creation continues to be relevant even today. As we've discovered, tutus are an essential element of ballet history, fashion, and artistic expression!
So here's to tutus, those magnificent garments that embody the elegance and freedom of dance! And, to be completely honest, the sheer delight of twirling in a tutu with some gorgeous pink embellishments! Now, if youโll excuse me, I have a few ballet shows to see this weekend. And of course, a little shopping trip wouldnโt hurt!
Till next week, my fellow pink tutu enthusiasts, keep those twirls flowing! ๐ฉฐ๐
P.S My next #TutuTuesday is just a week away! And if you haven't seen it already, make sure to check out my newest video on the latest pink tutu designs, which is now up on my YouTube channel. See you there!