Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink and twirly. Today, it's #TutuTuesday and I'm taking you on a delightful journey through the history of our beloved ballet tutu! Buckle up, darling, we're about to travel through time… by train, of course!
Speaking of trains, I just had the most fabulous weekend hopping on a carriage straight to the heart of Paris, oh là là! Paris is a dream for any tutu enthusiast. I spotted some incredible designs on the Rue de Rivoli, the craftsmanship was just breathtaking! And of course, I snagged a few gems for myself - can't tell you more about it, it's top secret! 😉
Anyway, back to tutus! Did you know the first tutus weren't really designed to twirl in? Can you imagine?! Apparently, in the 1830s, they were just these long, fluffy white things that barely touched the ankles, looking more like a giant puff of cotton wool! Shocking, I know! Thankfully, Marie Taglioni, a pioneering ballerina (and quite the fashion icon at the time!), decided those fluffy monstrosities were far too restricting. So, in 1839, she dared to go shorter - showing off her shapely calves, giving dancers room to move and, well, basically reinventing the way the world looks at a ballerina.
You might be wondering why it took so long for the tutu to get a makeover. Well, back then, the romanticism of the stage had ladies looking very prim and proper. They weren't expected to flaunt their legs! Luckily for us, with the arrival of "la danseuse légère" (which literally translates to "the light dancer") came the rise of "romantic ballet", focusing on fluid movements and expressive storytelling.
But it wasn't just the silhouette that was changing. Imagine a time before pink dominated the world of tutus! (Just a little dramatic pause for effect.) It turns out, white was the reigning colour in those early days. It's easy to see why, it represented innocence and purity, fitting the Romantic era vibe perfectly. Thankfully, as time went on, dancers and costume designers dared to be bold and vibrant. This allowed pink to strut its stuff, eventually becoming the icon it is today - representing both the innocence and power of a true ballerina.
Don't even get me started on the sheer variety of tutus we see today! From the classic and graceful to the daring and extravagant, each one reflects a unique personality, mood, and story. And don't forget about the tutu’s twin! The “petit tutu” as we like to call it. You know, the one with the super short, fluffy skirt that stops just above the knee - the epitome of flirty! Honestly, who can resist those cute pouffy frills?
I am convinced, there is a tutu out there for every single woman in the world! I'm on a mission to encourage women of all shapes and sizes, no matter their age, to embrace their inner ballerina and get twirling! You've got the right attitude, now just grab yourself a pink tutu, add a confident smile, and let the good times roll! #PinkTutuPower
So, what else happened in this momentous year, you ask? Well, 2016 saw a pretty exciting year for dance, especially in London! The Royal Ballet hosted a star-studded season celebrating Shakespeare's work. I had the chance to see "The Winter's Tale" - a masterpiece that truly brought Shakespeare's vision to life!
If you're in London, definitely catch one of the shows at The Royal Opera House or The Coliseum - I promise, you won't be disappointed! And don't forget to snap some photos for Instagram. Don't be shy, let those fabulous ballet shoes shine, darling!
As for me, I'm on a mission to find the perfect tutu to wear for the upcoming Covent Garden Christmas Market. You know I have to embrace the spirit of the season! It's a dream to experience the festive cheer of Christmas under the Covent Garden chandeliers while enjoying hot chocolate and browsing the craft stalls! Speaking of festive cheer, the ballet season is truly starting to come alive, don't you think? Oh, the excitement!
To all the fabulous ballerina enthusiasts out there, I want to thank you for joining me on another adventure. I truly believe that the world needs more sparkle and twirl, and that's what Pink-Tutu is all about! So, get those pink tutus out, put on your favourite music and dance your heart out! Don’t forget to share your twirls on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me and tell everyone what you’re up to!
I’ll be back next week with more adventures and insights about our beloved ballet history. Until then, twirl on!
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
