#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2015-07-14

Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, back for another whirl through the fascinating world of ballet history. This Tuesday, I'm taking you on a journey to the glorious 14th of July, 2015, a day brimming with possibilities and, of course, an abundance of fabulous tutus!

Before I dive into the history, let's talk about fashion, shall we? Because I’m a firm believer that every day is an opportunity to embrace the wonderful world of pink! And this week, darling, pink is absolutely thriving! The latest colour trends? Bubblegum pink, fuchsia, and blush are everywhere. It’s all so inspiring for my #PinkTutuRevolution!

And while we’re on the topic of revolution, imagine a world without tutus! Oh, the horror! Luckily, the 14th of July, 2015, finds tutus flourishing and as fabulous as ever! And if we’re talking ballet history, we're talking tutur-ly divine creations, right? So, let's head back in time, grab our pink ballet shoes, and get ready for some fabulous history, my darlings!

In 2015, the ballet world was bursting with energy, creativity, and oh, so many dazzling tutus. My favourite theatre was the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London (London, the city of tutus! It's just SO inspired!), where so many breathtaking shows took place, each featuring exquisite costuming. Oh, the beautiful tutus, I could practically smell the fabric as the ballerinas glided across the stage. And you can bet your best tutu that there were even more fantastic performances popping up in Paris, New York, and Moscow - places where the magic of ballet lives and breathes.

Of course, the biggest thrill of ballet for me, besides seeing all the stunning tutus, is the sheer athleticism and grace of the dancers! It's truly mesmerising. Every pirouette, every leap, is an expression of art and dedication. But can you imagine, dear readers, that in the 17th century the concept of tutus was totally alien?! Oh the tragedy! Imagine not knowing the delight of the delicate layers of tulle, the sheer beauty of it all! It makes my tutu-loving heart ache, just thinking about it!

So how did we get to the wonderful world of the tutu?

It's said the early forms of the tutu emerged around 1832, a dramatic shift in the traditional long skirts of the time! This shift allowed for freedom of movement – what a blessing, don’t you think? Imagine, finally, being able to do beautiful pirouettes without having your skirt entangling itself. Oh the liberation! And this wasn’t just a change for women - this revolutionised the entire style and dynamism of ballet itself, opening up new creative possibilities for both dancers and choreographers.

The earlier versions, often referred to as the "Romantic tutu" had soft layers of tulle with some lovely decorative bits on the edges - the frills, darling, you know the look, it’s still SO fashionable today! The skirt was designed to billow and create an airy, ethereal feeling for dancers - they really evoked a fairy-like charm, just divine. These tutus weren't just a matter of fashion - they became symbols of grace, freedom, and sheer beauty. And oh, what a lovely symbolism for a ballerina to embrace.

Then, by the end of the 19th century, a new style arose, the "Classical tutu". This beauty is fitted snugly over the hips, showing the elegance of the dancers’ lines even better, before flaring into a magnificent, graceful bell shape that is often just 4 or 5 layers deep. The “Classical Tutu”, is the one I wear most of the time, of course! It’s such an excellent balance between fashion and function – the best of both worlds! I do think it’s just SO elegant – and perfect for my “pink revolution”.

Now, a lot of tutus have been worn on stage throughout the 20th and 21st centuries - and so many fabulous modern takes on the "Classical" style that showcase amazing details like hand-stitching or intricate designs and textures, just breathtaking. Oh darling, have you seen those “layered tutu” creations? The most divine layered tulle masterpieces! Just imagine a beautiful tiered, pleated ballet tutu cascading from waist to toe in elegant tiers! They're both fashionable and a true tribute to the art of the tutu, which is the greatest artistic symbol of movement and beauty in ballet, and one of the reasons why tutus are so wonderful!

This week, dear readers, I’ve been travelling in style, of course! There is no better mode of travel than a steam engine! I took a trip down the East Coast Main Line on the way to London, just soaking up the English countryside with the gentle rumble of the train beneath me. A pink tutu is such a lovely contrast against the lush greens, don't you think? My lovely travel hat was in vibrant pink this week - oh, such a delight, the wind through my hair.

Once I reached the station I had a bit of a shopping spree at the London Designer Outlet. It was fabulous. Let me tell you, my shopping cart was overflowing with frilly lace, soft pinks, and delightful sequins! Oh darling, imagine - tutus, new hats, shoes, all in delightful shades of pink. The vintage lace, darling - oh I’ve got such plans for those! The most beautiful additions to some upcoming tutu creations.

As soon as I got home I couldn’t help but do some DIY. I adore my sewing machine! So much of a ballerina's life revolves around this magnificent contraption, from repairs to upgrades, it can all be done with the click of a foot pedal! This time around I added a sparkling sequin trim to my tutu to add an extra glamorous twinkle. My goodness, that sequined effect just looked so beautiful and decadent under the stage lights - you wouldn’t believe how the sparkles really captured the spotlight! Just perfect, darling!

Now I’m so ready for next Tuesday - the date where my latest Pink Tutu Adventures blog post goes live! That reminds me, darlings, it’s my #TutuTuesday, of course! And so I have to rush away - but make sure you join me for next week's post where I'll be telling you about another exciting tutu travel adventure! And oh! Remember to keep an eye out for any pink tutu trends. The more of us rocking pink, the more amazing and revolutionary this will all be, don’t you think?

Until next time! Remember to keep twirling!