Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, bringing you another fabulous installment of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History from my travels around the world. This week I've zipped back to 15th March 2016 for a twirl through the history of ballet and all the beautiful, fluffy, pink goodness that comes with it!
It's a funny thing, time travel, it takes some getting used to. Just the other day I popped over to the Renaissance in Florence - can you imagine the faces I saw when I appeared in my full, frothy tutu?! Turns out, even in the era of extravagant ballgowns, the concept of wearing only layers of tulle and a bit of satin ribbon didn't quite catch on. They're rather fond of the "full skirt" look back then, though. Let's just say it takes a certain level of courage to travel through time wearing pink fluff - but what's life without a little adventure, eh?
So, back to 2016... This time, I found myself in New York, a haven of cultural brilliance and stylish individuals. The air is electric with excitement for the upcoming spring season. It's a city that pulsates with a creative energy that simply pulls you in. The fashion scene here is incredibly dynamic – everything from vintage shops overflowing with sparkly sequin gowns to cutting-edge designer boutiques showcasing the latest in high fashion. I do love my shopping sprees – this city has everything a girl could possibly want, from stylish shoes to the most fabulous accessories. And did I mention they have incredible shops selling ballet tutus in all shapes and sizes?! Oh, I could just lose myself for hours!
But enough about shopping! It's time to get into the history of tutus. You know, they say that beauty comes from simplicity. Well, nothing could be truer than for tutus! Before the 1830s, dancers performed in long, flowing dresses. You know, the kind you see in classic romantic ballet, all swishy and elegant? These gowns were beautiful, but they weren't practical for the leaps and twirls dancers wanted to perform. Imagine trying to perform a fouetté en tournant with a long, trailing skirt - it's just not feasible!
The evolution of the tutu, my darlings, came with the rise of the ballerina. It was all about showcasing the beautiful line of the dancer’s body – think Marie Taglioni and her famous La Sylphide, a ballerina who literally danced her way into ballet history with her revolutionary movements!
From that moment on, the tutu became the signature garment of ballet. It was the first fashion revolution in the ballet world - think about it, a shift in fashion so powerful it completely redefined what ballet looked like. This transition was revolutionary, paving the way for a dance style that truly captivated audiences. The tutu became an instant symbol of grace, femininity, and pure artistic expression.
Now, there's not one tutu style, of course! Each style of tutu evokes different emotions.
We've got our romantic tutus, flowing and ethereal like a dream, a symbol of love and hope, the graceful, delicate lines representing the classic romantic era of ballet. Imagine Giselle and her wispy tutu, symbolising the longing of love, and La Sylphide, her ethereal light fabric representing a world of imagination. It's truly romantic!
And then we've got the classic tutu - you know, the tutu that pops up in all our childhood ballet dreams. The iconic pancake-like, layered design, perfect for grand allegro sequences – think Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake with its ethereal beauty, and The Nutcracker with its delicate elegance, perfectly suited for jumps and spinning turns, embodying the classic elements of dance.
And what about the contemporary tutu? This darling has taken its own exciting direction – imagine ballet in new and modern forms. With daring silhouettes, creative materials, and unexpected cuts, the contemporary tutu breaks the mould and showcases the powerful expression of modern dance, exploring all facets of the human form, pushing the boundaries of movement, and challenging traditional concepts of ballet!
You see, darlings, the tutu isn’t just a costume. It's a beautiful, artistic symbol of ballet history – a living, breathing expression of every ballerina who has danced on stage, each tutu imbued with the passion and artistry of those who have worn it before.
Speaking of dancers and history, did you know ballet was invented in Italy, way back in the Renaissance? I know, what a fun fact to share, right? I had to see it to believe it, so I hopped on a time travel train to check it out. Just picture yourself – strolling through bustling Florentine piazzas, past palazzos filled with treasures and secret passageways, and watching these magnificent dancers take centre stage in lavish balls held at courts. Just gorgeous, darling, it was utterly divine!
However, the journey of ballet took it from Italy to France where the style really evolved, creating a stunning spectacle that captured the world. From then onwards, ballet spread like wildfire, taking the stage all over Europe and ultimately landing on the grand stages of America!
But enough about historical facts and fabulous dancing! I must dash - I'm just off to see the New York City Ballet, with the divine Tchaikovsky playing a wonderful score for a beautiful performance. And yes, of course I'll be there in a dazzling pink tutu, making sure my #PinkTutuRevolution takes the world by storm!
Before I go, darlings, don't forget to wear your favourite pink tutu this week, and make sure you join in on my #TutuTuesday on Twitter and Instagram. Who knows what amazing historical journey I'll be embarking on next!
And always remember, be bold, be brilliant, and don’t be afraid to twirl!
Lots of love, Emma xoxo
www.pink-tutu.com
