Hello my darling Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another enchanting episode of #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutus! Today, my dears, we're venturing back in time - as I do - to unravel the captivating history of the tutu. You might be thinking "tut! Isn't a tutu just a puffy skirt?". You're absolutely right... well, nearly!
To tell you the truth, dear readers, my trip back in time was a rather stressful one. Imagine me, all pink tutus and fluttering chiffon, rushing to the station at dawn in my best polka dot dress - yes, even the station master gave me a knowing smile when he saw me, he'd seen the previous episode! Then, picture me crammed in a bustling train carriage, surrounded by folks clutching newspapers and eating toast for breakfast (so provincial!), trying not to get my lovely lace trim on my pink ballet shoes caught in someone else's rucksack. "Don't get your tutus in a twist, darling," I reminded myself, channeling my inner prima ballerina. After all, a bit of excitement was just what I needed for a super-duper-fabulous post. I finally arrived, pink and ruffled, just in time for the show!
Let's rewind the clock a little... Today, my fashionistas, we are at the Bolshoi Theatre, in glorious Moscow, the heart of the Russian ballet world! I know, I know, isn't it so wonderful! The grandeur, the opulence, the history - you could just imagine all the iconic ballerinas and their magnificent costumes performing here - it's almost enough to make even me faint!
"But Emma," you cry, "why Moscow?"
Well, darling, today is 3rd January, 2017, the date of a very special event at this world-renowned theatre - the 241st birthday of the legendary Russian ballerina Maria Tallis. She may be best known to us in the 21st century as a famed dance choreographer and teacher but at the time, Maria was known for her absolutely captivating style, all graceful lines and dramatic posing. Now, she is being celebrated for her revolutionary contributions to dance and - you guessed it! - she revolutionised the tutu itself!
You see, before Maria came along, tutus were basically a very fluffy, layered, almost overwhelmingly ornate, ballgown-esque monstrosity. Maria decided it was time for a change, a streamlining! She embraced the natural beauty of the dancer, introducing a new, barely-there "Romantic" tutu. Imagine a tutu with more movement! A dancer's dream! Light as a feather, revealing their elegant limbs in all their glory, it really did make the ballerina the star! And what’s more, she had a special fondness for delicate pale pink and powder blues!
To see it live and in person - what an absolute delight! My dress was perfect, a bubblegum pink confection that would’ve made Maria proud (and made me feel quite exhilarated by all this magnificent dancing! It's so good to be here and get to appreciate all the heritage and the glamour... and you’re looking good with all this fancy pink lace and that matching head band... Oh, don't be so modest! - you look good in pink tutus - and don’t you ever forget it!). Now, back to the tutu business. What I love about tutus - they've transformed dance fashion over the years, darling. Imagine: the Romantic tutus of Maria's era, then the extravagant tutu that dominated the late 19th century and into the early 20th.
Now, imagine a tutu designed for the biggest stage, La Scala - imagine a tulle skirt which looks like clouds that seem to just defy gravity - and you’ve got a pretty good picture in your head. What about the ballet "Swan Lake", it's so famous in this century! Just remember the beautiful story about the swan princess and all that intricate, swirling tulle! It makes my heart flutter!
As you can see, from ballgown-like magnificence to a more practical approach - they are ever-changing, ever-evolving - just like the dancer who wears them! It truly shows the dedication of designers and the dancers' unique vision and the spirit of dance.
*It all started from that moment, darling - *
It's not just a fancy, fluffy skirt. A tutu's an artistic statement and a celebration of dance history itself!
Don't forget - the power of a pink tutu is limitless - so why not embrace the pink, darling? Be bold and let your own dance-inspired creativity run wild, just like a whirl of ballerina silk!
Next week we’ll take a peek at what our next stop is going to be, and hopefully a chance to travel through history together in your pink tutu.
Happy Twirling,
Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
