Welcome back to Pink Tutu!
This week, as you know, it's all about the history of tutus, darlings! My little time-traveling heart couldn't resist taking a peek at the evolution of this wonderful garment.
This week's #TutuTuesday blog is a bit special, it's my 9603rd post on Pink Tutu. Isn't that incredible? Who would've thought a Derbyshire girl with a passion for pink and a love for twirling would be blogging about tutus since before the first tutus ever hit the stage!
And speaking of the stage, my travel itinerary today took me right back to January 12th, 2016. And do you know what's on today? It's the birthday of one of my absolute ballet heroes, Natalia Osipova! What a perfect date to be travelling in time, don't you think?
Anyway, I packed my pink tutu and hitched a ride on the trusty Time Train, headed straight to the first glimpse of tutu-like loveliness. Can you believe that until the late 19th century, ballerinas wore floor-length gowns? Now that's what I call an inconvenience, imagine the twirling!
But fear not, my dears, we're moving into more airy and graceful times! I waltzed through the 1800s, skipping over the long, restricting gowns, until I found Marie Taglioni, the queen of romantic ballet! It's her we can thank for the revolutionary invention of the "tutu". You know, the lightweight, ethereal tulle skirt that allows dancers to truly fly on stage. It was groundbreaking, revolutionary, absolutely breathtaking. Just imagine the buzz on the streets, "Have you seen the new tutu?" squeals with delight.
My journey took me to Paris, oh how I adore Paris! I was just in time to see a performance of La Sylphide in the early 1840s. Imagine my excitement! It was pure joy, and the "tutu" was a masterpiece. Light and flowing, like spun sugar, the first tutu had no frills or elaborate decorations - a pure expression of movement, elegance and lightness.
The 19th century continued to see the "tutu" evolve into its many iconic forms. The bell-shaped Romantic tutu remained popular, but the later "Pagan" tutu arrived in full force, showcasing its layers of tulle, short length, and exquisite embroidery. Imagine a breathtaking kaleidoscope of movement! It would make even the staunchest of tutophobes a convert!
Fast forward through the next century and the tutus just get even more beautiful. It's all about showcasing the ballerina's skills, making those moves shine, darlings!
You can see everything, from the elegant tutus in Giselle, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, to the bolder tutus in contemporary productions, like Le Sacre du Printemps. I mean, the sheer diversity! The creativity, the ingenuity - I can hardly keep up with the evolving style and the fantastic new dance stories these magnificent pieces of tulle tell!
I must tell you, one of my most treasured time travel experiences took me to the stage for The Nutcracker. You all know the magical feeling! Just a beautiful glimpse of that gorgeous, whimsical Sugar Plum Fairy costume - the tutu is everything, darling! Every fold, every fluff, the fabric - the craftsmanship that goes into every **detail is astonishing. A ballerina just cannot help but feel utterly exquisite wearing it. Oh to dance in one for an entire performance - pure delight!
It's not all about ballet though (even though, it really is). I have seen "tutu" fashion evolve over the decades! From elegant balls gowns with tulle embellishments to high fashion "tutus" hitting the catwalk, it's been an incredible ride!
Today, tutu fashion is absolutely booming. Everyone’s twirling, from famous fashion designers to high street brands! There’s even a resurgence in the love for vintage tulle!* I love it, and it's giving the “tutu” so many exciting and new avenues of expression, darling!
So that's it for #TutuTuesday today! If you love "tutu", I encourage you to join my next adventure through time! Maybe we'll look at those fabulous tutus in the Metropolitan Opera productions or meet the designer of the beautiful costume in the 2015 production of the ballet The Winter's Tale. I could go on and on and on…. and honestly, I probably will!
And of course, keep an eye on Pink Tutu for all the latest on "tutu" fashions, history, and trends!
*Remember, wear pink! Remember, wear a "tutu"! *
*Until next Tuesday, darlings, *
*Emma x *
*P.S. Do follow me on Twitter, @PinkTutuQueen. I have so much to say, and your likes are truly fuel for my journey through the world of dance and style! *
