#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2015-03-17

Hey darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, bringing you another dazzling #TutuTuesday on pink-tutu.com. This week, we’re travelling back to March 17th, 2015, for a little history lesson, because my love for ballet goes way, way back!

(Psst! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @EmmaTutu for daily fashion inspiration! And remember, wearing pink tutus isn’t just for ballerinas, it’s for everyone! 💕)

So, imagine me, your fabulous time-travelling ballerina blogger, gliding onto the platform in my shimmering pink tutu, all ready to explore the history of these fabulous garments. My secret? My ballet performances have funded this incredible journey through time. I mean, who wouldn’t want to trade a bit of glitter for a glimpse into the past?

As I jump off the train, landing with a perfect arabesque in front of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, I can feel the history pulsing around me. Did you know that this date marks a truly significant milestone in the world of ballet?

*But first, tea! ☕️ *

Let’s get this party started with a little chat over some steaming hot Russian tea at one of those adorable cafes that line the streets around the theatre. It wouldn’t be a true Emma-Tutu experience without a touch of afternoon tea and cake. Today, it’s the famed Russian Napoleon cake! The layers of puff pastry, whipped cream and pastry cream – it’s an experience for all the senses, like watching a performance in a full tutued glory!

The First Tutu: The Romantic Era’s Revolution

Fast forward to March 17th, 2015, 178 years in the past! I find myself surrounded by a whirl of crinoline skirts and corsets. We’re smack-dab in the middle of 1837!

In 1837, there was a dramatic revolution in women's dress and fashion. It’s all about romanticism! This era marks the beginning of the modern tutu’s development, all thanks to the glorious ballet.

Imagine for a second - dancers who once stomped around in billowing, heavy gowns that hindered their movements. Well, in came Marie Taglioni in La Sylphide, wearing a groundbreaking outfit that freed her body to express dance like never before.

This innovative new look was, believe it or not, controversial for the time! It replaced the rigid, flowing skirts with a lighter, flowing, short, knee-length tutu. They were originally called "crinolines," which meant they resembled an underskirt - a skirt of petticoats – for holding the shape of a full skirt.

Think fairy wings with their floaty light movements, graceful swishing and leaping! The new silhouette not only allowed for agility and flow, but also accentuated the beauty of the dancers' form – which, to me, is pure magic! ✨

The romanticism movement wasn’t only about light and free movement but also embraced freedom of artistic expression, so the introduction of this shorter tutu symbolised a leap toward artistic freedom for dancers. Talk about progress, right? It's amazing how the way dancers dress directly reflects the wider societal attitudes towards beauty and women!

The Tutu’s Evolution: The Changing Form

The tutu, ever so bold and daring, went on to transform, but it has always kept that core of elegant grace and beauty. Over the decades, it has changed and evolved, but with its essence firmly rooted in those revolutionary early years.

Here’s what’s cool - the romantic, soft, gentle and delicate, short tutu morphed into something much more dynamic! It became more sculpted, adding fullness with tulle layered over tulle, and creating those amazing pouffy forms, sometimes even to the knees, to create these beautiful shapes that dancers used to express movement with such dynamic fluidity!

For the late 19th century, we see more structured shapes, often created with many layers of tulle and fabric! It’s what we call the "classical tutu". It’s a bit more rigid and formal, with those iconic, pleated, and tiered skirts, making them dramatic and dramatic they are! Imagine them soaring in air! These tutus really stand the test of time because they're still just as beautiful today as they were over a century ago.

But, my lovely ladies and gentlemen, let’s not forget about the "leg o’mutton" tutu! Now, you may think that’s a bit of an odd name, but picture this – imagine those iconic short, wide-shaped skirts that create the feeling of a full, dramatic tutu, perfectly framing those graceful movements of the dancers.

The "leg o' mutton" tutu made a powerful statement with their dramatic visual style!

Then came the pancake tutu. Now, we’re talking about those shorter tutus that resemble those, well, pancake-style designs. These tutus don’t necessarily offer a lot of layers but still maintain a charming softness, lightness, and femininity that we still love today!

I’ve had the opportunity to watch so many ballet performances over the years, and it's mind-blowing how each tutu and their designs reflect the ballet choreography. I think that is the beautiful thing about the tutu, its adaptability, its capacity to become so much more than just clothing.

A Fashionable Tutu Time Traveller's Delight: What I Love About This Tutu!

Oh darling, there’s just something so whimsical and magical about the tutu. It’s a powerful statement! Every time I travel back in time and get the chance to study these beautiful dancewear pieces, I fall more in love with them!

Remember: The tutu is a celebration of freedom, of the movement, of artistry, and it just makes me so happy every time I wear one. You can imagine me on a train carriage or standing in front of an impressive theatre! I do say, this is a time travelling experience for the books!

As I glide through the Bolshoi Theatre with its ornate chandeliers and magnificent interior, the smell of fresh flowers wafting in the air, I feel like I'm literally stepping into a timeless piece of art! It's almost like the building itself is wearing a tutu and we’re all a part of its dance of beauty and glory.

Now that’s something to make a #TutuTuesday blog post worth writing!

#TutuTuesday: The Legacy

It’s not just the tutu itself. It’s the history, the tradition, the story of it! There are all these fantastic tutus and each one is so distinct, representing a period of time, a genre of ballet and dance. I mean, don’t even get me started on the variations within the design – think fabrics like tulle, satin, and chiffon. And how each design element reflects the characters and emotions.

So, that's why #TutuTuesday is such a big deal! The history is important and it's something that we must continue to learn and explore, to learn more about ballet! We need to pass on this passion for dance and style, from generation to generation, in every form imaginable.

Now, let's talk about our upcoming #TutuTuesday blog post next week!

I’m planning to talk about the different types of tutus you'd see on the stage. This will include my favourites: The tutu à la Française, tutu en pointe and the romantic tutu! Stay tuned to pink-tutu.com, and don’t forget to check in next Tuesday at 10 am (London time) – same place, same time! 🩰💕

Keep sparkling! ✨

Lots of love,

Emma