Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina blogger, back for another #TutuTuesday! It's a glorious day for a twirl, wouldn't you say? The sun is shining (or at least it is here in Paris, where I'm currently sipping my macarons, perched on a window seat at Ladurée), and I just know we're in for a delightful dose of tutu history!
But before we dive into the twirling timeline, let's get one thing straight: wearing pink tutus is not a trend, darlings, it's a lifestyle. 😉 And why wouldn't it be? Tutùs are synonymous with grace, beauty, and that oh-so-important element of whimsy. Just imagine: flitting across a stage, feeling the fabric brush against your skin, every movement a joyous dance... who wouldn't want a little bit of that magic in their lives?
Right, so where were we? Ah, yes! Time to travel through the fabulous, tulle-filled world of tutu history!
The Very Beginning - It’s a Roman Skirt-A-Doodah:
Believe it or not, tutus can actually trace their roots back to ancient times! Well, not quite in the frilly form we know and love today, but ancient Romans wore what were called tunics - long, flowing garments made of thin, light fabrics - which you can definitely see as a sort of proto-tutu! They might not have been twirling en pointe back then, but the idea of light, flowing garments to showcase movement was certainly a thing.
The Early Ballet Years: The Beginnings of Ballet, the Beginnings of Tutu (Slightly):
As the art of ballet began to emerge in the 15th and 16th centuries, dancers still wore more traditional attire - lots of layers, not much room for movement. Thankfully, by the 17th and 18th centuries, those restrictive layers started shedding - thank goodness! Now, dancers started opting for loose, flowing dresses that allowed for a little more freedom on stage. The “tutu” started taking its first baby steps here, but still, we were a long way off the pouffy delights of today.
The Rise of the Tutu: Marie Taglioni's Revolutionary Swirl:
And then, a turning point in history – Marie Taglioni, the first bona fide ballet star, graced the stage in a groundbreaking short, full-length white skirt in 1832! Gone were the cumbersome long skirts, replaced by this light, billowing dream of a garment – and boom, a dance sensation was born! Her performance of La Sylphide made history, not only for its graceful story but for its groundbreaking design that revolutionized ballet dress forever!
19th-Century Evolution: A Tutu for Every Story:
In the decades following Marie’s iconic performance, the tutu blossomed. Romantic ballets embraced the “soft tulle” variety – soft and billowing, evoking the magical essence of fairy tales. Then, for ballets that demanded strength and power, the “classical” tutu took centre stage, short and fluffy with an elaborate cage skirt to add volume.
Tutus in the 20th Century and Beyond - Innovation and Beyond!:
And oh, how the tutu has danced through the 20th and 21st centuries! From Balanchine's elegant abstract creations to the contemporary experimentation of modern dancers, the tutu continues to reinvent itself.
Speaking of innovation...
Time for a Little Fashion History with my Friend: Madame Le Tout Le Monde - The Ballerina of Paris!
Right now, in the glorious year 2015, we’re celebrating all things ballet, thanks to my wonderful Parisian friend, Madame Le Tout Le Monde – she’s quite the fashionable ballet star! Not only is she a dazzling dancer with the perfect pout for a stage picture, but she's also the most elegant fashion icon in the whole of Paris. We’re on a whirlwind tour through Paris, soaking in all the beauty and romance this fabulous city has to offer. It’s utterly wonderful!
Yesterday, Madame Le Tout Le Monde gave me a behind-the-scenes look at the exquisite, handcrafted tulle garments at a famous Paris couture house - I tell you, darling, it’s a world of feathers, sparkles and oh-so-much-pink, it’ll have you swirling with excitement. And oh, the textures!
And of course, the latest fashion? Pink! Pink everywhere, as much as my heart can handle, my dear friends. Just wait till you see the pictures! (See the next blog! )
Now, as it’s Tuesday, 10 November 2015 – let's have a moment of "Tutu Appreciation". Did you know that it’s a huge week for all the art world, with the opening of several fabulous new shows? Today, the Musée Picasso Paris, one of my absolute favourite haunts in the whole of France, will unveil an incredible new exhibit: “Picasso and the Masters”:
How I would love to visit there!
Just imagine a tutu dancing amongst Picasso’s art - just dreamy!
*A Quick Tour of Today’s Tutu Trends - From Classic to Contemporary! *
Okay, so, tutus aren’t just for ballerinas anymore! It’s true, my darlings. I love how the tutu is now celebrated in so many ways beyond the stage! This brings us to today’s exciting fashion scene. Pink and white have exploded on the catwalks and street style blogs! This brings me to what Madame Le Tout Le Monde showed me yesterday – and trust me, it's all the inspiration you’ll ever need for your next fabulous pink tutu!
Here are just a few of my favourite ways to wear a tutu today:
- For a night out on the town: A black or burgundy tutu, worn with a sharp top and a pair of fabulous heels – it’s such a chic and effortless look. And you can totally pull it off, believe me! It's all about confidence, darling, and with a tutu on, who's going to stop you?!
- For a wedding or special event: White, ivory, pastel pink – so many dreamy colour choices to embrace for a celebratory occasion! Remember: a touch of sparkle is always a good idea! (I’m so adding sequins to my new pink tulle dress for Christmas! Yes!)
- For a whimsical everyday look: Just toss on a tutu with your favourite t-shirt and jeans, poof and it’s magic! Perfect for a coffee date, a visit to the park, or just dancing your way to a supermarket shop. (Yes, you can definitely go ballet dancing and shopping in a tutu! Never say no!)
- *For your dance performances (duh!): * A traditional pink tutu on the stage is just a dream come true – what more could you wish for? Well, perhaps a chance to dance on a Paris stage, like my friend, Madame Le Tout Le Monde! (Now that is a dream!).
Pink, Pink, Everywhere: The Best of All the Tutu Colours
As always, I adore a pink tutu. I do believe everyone should embrace it – even the boys! It’s playful, whimsical and absolutely joyful, my love! This is what it’s all about – fun and colour and letting your inner dancer come to the fore!
Right then, darlings! It's time to take a spin, enjoy some sunshine (or pretend sunshine if you're caught in a downpour), and let your inner ballerina twirl freely. Remember, every day is a new chance to embrace the magic of a pink tutu – and remember, there’s a fabulous fashionista hiding inside every one of you.
Happy Tuesday and #HappyTwirling,
Emma
Remember! My aim in life is for everyone to wear a pink tutu!
www.pink-tutu.com
Keep dancing!
