#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2016-05-24

Hey lovelies! It’s Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog post! Oh, how I do love Tuesdays, they just feel like they’re full of swirling tutus, glittery frocks, and delicious theatre-inspired cocktails! Speaking of, tonight I'm off to see Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow! (Totally jet-lagged from travelling here via the Orient Express - I adore a good train journey!). I’ve always wanted to see this iconic performance in this amazing building - and obviously, I’ll be wearing a bright pink tutu with shimmering embellishments, and my sparkly ballerina flats! It's like, a rule! 🩰✨💖

So, today, I'm going to talk about something truly magical: the origins of the tutu, a story as fascinating as the pirouettes they were designed for!

We've all got to know that tutus are much more than just frilly bits of tulle. They are a historical fashion piece that symbolises grace, beauty, and elegance! And, they are so much fun.

Let’s get those toes tapping and take a trip down memory lane…

You might think tutus are a relatively new invention, but believe it or not, their story starts back in the 1800s, even before I was born! (gasps) Think crinolines and waistcoats - not the most comfortable outfit for dancing in, but this is what the ballet dancers of that era had to work with! (Though they looked rather fancy).

The early tutus weren't just “any” skirts, they were about freeing the dancer's movements. Imagine: The early ballerina outfits, called the "tutu romantique," were basically modified ballroom skirts. Imagine layers and layers of fluffy silk and netting, quite similar to an 1800’s evening dress, which were worn to emphasize grace and femininity. It was actually the dancer Marie Taglioni who helped revolutionize dancewear by simplifying the design, introducing what is thought of as the first recognisable ballet tutu! In 1832 she danced La Sylphide, dressed in a revolutionary "romantic tutu". A calf-length skirt which allowed her to move more freely and dramatically!

This sparked a wave of creativity and paved the way for even more diverse and glamorous designs that are still worn on the stage today!

Throughout the 19th century, tutus kept on evolving. The dancers weren’t stuck in big puffy, flowing skirts - we entered the classical era, and ballet, as well as the fashion of tutus, transformed into the "tutu classique". Imagine a shorter skirt, usually just above the knee, but waisted. Imagine layers upon layers of tulle and a big fluffy, layered tutu that looked very, very grand.

A really exciting shift came from a Russian ballet company, which pioneered a shortened tutu, called a "tutu de pannier". Now imagine a tutu made for the ultimate ballerina. A really dramatic, shorter, skirt that allowed for lots of graceful leg action. They were often embellished with delicate embroidery and sparkling sequins to add even more sparkle to the dancer's movement.

Now, don't worry - tutus weren't confined to just a few silhouettes. There are SO MANY types of tutus, depending on the era, style and choreographer! There's the romantic tutu, the "tutu à la grecque", a sort of draped and flowing tunic style. Then we've got the tutu that we think of when we think of "ballet", the "tutu à l'italienne", with two or three layers of tulle which sits more snug on the hips for a smooth flowing skirt. Then we have the super, super short, tutus, known as the “tutu de pannier”, which were so iconic, but did create a bit of a scandal in the 1900s - I imagine, some ruffled feathers amongst the ballet crowds back in the day, but it definitely paved the way for the stunning tutus of today.

Oh, don't forget the " tutu à la viennoise". The tutus designed with flowing tulle, like billowing around the dancer. Imagine the iconic "Blue Bird", the role which is part of The Sleeping Beauty. Gorgeous.

Now, think about a super popular modern tutu design, a ballet dancer's dream - the " tutu pagoda. The tulle gathered like pleats, giving a really structured and *dramatic look, particularly if you imagine one of the gorgeous designs in a bold, stunning royal blue. Just magnificent!

These tutus were all carefully designed to enhance and amplify the artistry of the ballerinas' every move! I can’t wait to see what new and exciting tutu designs the ballet world comes up with. I'm hoping I’ll get a chance to meet some dancers today to get their view. Maybe, if I'm lucky I’ll spot someone at the ballet!

Tutus today are still as mesmerizing and fashionable as they ever were! From the classics to modern interpretations, we’ve got designers, directors and choreographers constantly challenging the possibilities and reinventing tutu designs. The modern ballerina has a lot of versatility and flexibility in their choice of tutu – with variations on a classic design – and they use it to really create something magical and incredible to watch.

I’m really looking forward to tonight’s show. It would be so incredible to be able to see a ballerina's movements so perfectly accented by a grand, long, layered tutu. They create drama and elegance. Even the simplest design of the tutus today makes a big statement! The use of color, embellishment, and the way tutus are cut to really give dancers the opportunity to display a huge range of artistic movement. And they're still so incredibly feminine!

That's all from me today loves! Make sure you come back next Tuesday for another sparkly tutu post and for now...I’m off to see Swan Lake! 🩰💖

Until next week!

Lots of love, Emma xx