Helloooo darling tutu lovers! It’s your favourite pink-clad time traveller, Emma, back for another instalment of #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com and today we're diving deep into the delightful world of tutu history! 💖✨
It's February the 24th, 2015 and the air is thick with excitement, as this date marks the opening night of a brand new ballet production – “The Little Mermaid" at the magnificent Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow! Just imagine – sparkling sequins, ethereal waves and Ariel's tail whipping around in a flurry of gossamer tulle! Pure magic! 🧜♀️🌟
And, of course, the very idea of "The Little Mermaid" just screams tutu potential. Don't you agree, lovelies? 🤩💖 We're definitely going to see some amazing tutu creations gracing that stage – so watch out for those #TutuInspiration pics coming soon!
Speaking of tutus, this is the perfect opportunity to dust off those historical facts about these beautiful dancewear staples and take a journey back to the origins of tutus! Buckle up darlings, it’s going to be a grand, swirling, utterly fabulous trip down memory lane!
Let's travel back in time to...
…the late 1700s! Can you imagine waltzing around in your frilly dress without a hint of a tutu in sight? Simply unthinkable! Believe it or not, the earliest "tutu" ancestors actually resemble ballet trousers - the "pantalon de danse." Made of soft fabric and tight to the leg, these comfy pants helped dancers show off their elegant footwork. They weren't as fabulous as our modern day creations, but they were certainly a crucial step towards our favourite dancewear!
The real revolution of the tutu arrived in 1839 when Marie Taglioni took the stage in "La Sylphide." This iconic ballerina danced in a sheer white skirt, so airy and light, it looked like it was almost defying gravity! The stage was set, darling, for a new era of tutus. This "Romantic" style of tutu had a very defined skirt – short, flouncy and made from multiple layers of gauze or tulle.
And do you know what, you can still see the essence of the Romantic tutu in so many ballet styles today, but let's not stop there. The tutu kept evolving! The "classical tutu" came next and emerged in the mid 1800s, this one was quite different - imagine a full-length skirt made from many layers of stiff fabric – think taffeta or satin – creating a huge, breathtaking, and sometimes slightly scary looking, hoop skirt. Just like with the Romantics, it allowed the dancer’s leg work to be showcased! This became popular in ballets like Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake and you can imagine how amazing this dramatic, dramatic silhouette looked on stage!
Later, in the early 1900s, another fantastic innovation - the "modern tutu"! Shorter, and still quite puffy, but lighter and more comfortable to wear. These were the kind of tutus favoured by modern ballet greats such as Vaslav Nijinsky and Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company! And they paved the way for the glorious modern tutu designs that we love and cherish today!
Speaking of modern tutu styles, the "Demi-tutu" came onto the scene in the 1940s. This elegant tutu has a shorter length, a fitted bodice and a shorter skirt and, in many ways, brings back the original feeling of the “Romantic" tutu – perfect for creating stunning lines and fluid movements! You will find demi-tutu’s in many ballets and, fun fact! Ballet lovers - they’re ideal for dancing to waltzes - you can really show off those smooth turns!
And the story doesn't stop there!
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the tutu has blossomed into a remarkable spectrum of designs. Imagine stunning variations that pay homage to the past, combined with bold contemporary creations that reflect modern times – it's all about celebrating and pushing the boundaries of creativity, elegance, and art!
And where am I getting all these wonderful images and thoughts of amazing tutus? It’s all thanks to the wonderful shows that I get to see all over the world – London, Paris, New York! I mean, wouldn't you feel inspired just looking at the breathtakingly beautiful dancers in their perfect tutus on stage? ✨
Oh, and don't forget my shopping sprees – a bit of tutu inspiration at Harrods or Galeries Lafayette never hurts! I can’t leave my own personal Tutu Tuesday post without paying a special tribute to all those creative and talented dressmakers and costume designers. Their artistry is vital in bringing these delightful and dreamy tutu creations to life!
To conclude this week’s delightful trip down Tutu history – just remember – we are all living through the GOLDEN age of the Tutu, darling! The possibilities are endless, there are so many innovative and incredible tutus to see, and the stories and styles just keep on evolving. Who knows, maybe you’ll be designing the next fabulous tutu!
Do you have a favourite type of tutu? What's your dream tutu, ladies? Tell me in the comments below! * And remember, if you've got a love for ballet and a sprinkle of tutu obsession, this is the place to be – visit me again next Tuesday for another *#TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com!💖🩰
Oh, and don't forget – Pink tutus are a wonderful way to show your love for this timeless fashion staple – wear your pink pride, girls! You know it! 💖✨
See you next Tuesday!
P.S. Did I tell you about that amazing pink cashmere jumper I spotted in Liberty London? #TutuTuesdayStyle anyone?! 💖✨
