Oh my darlings! It's Tuesday, and you know what that means! Time to dust off our tutus and get ready to twirl through the wonderful world of ballet history! Today, we're waltzing back to the 10th of January, 2017, for a fabulous peek at the tutu's evolution, which believe me, is just as grand and glorious as a pirouette en pointe.
My name is Emma, and I'm your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast from Derbyshire, England! As you probably already know, I’m utterly obsessed with all things tutu, and I just love taking you on these journeys through the fabulous history of ballet’s most iconic garment. (Oh, and by the way, if you're not already sporting a pink tutu – well, what are you waiting for? The world is just waiting to be filled with twirling, pink-tinted loveliness!)
Right then, let's travel back in time… Imagine: 2017! That was a long time ago. But as we've all learned in my Tutu Tuesdays, a lot can happen in the world of ballet fashion, and oh darling, the tutu definitely did not stand still.
Back then, tutus were the stars of the show, quite literally! Every ballet performance, every glittering premiere, every captivating production - you bet your tulle they all featured those exquisite, flowing tutus! They were the epitome of elegance, grace, and pure ballet bliss.
Speaking of bliss, on the 10th of January, 2017, something wonderful happened – in the realm of fashion and entertainment, at least. The much-anticipated "Nutcracker" by the legendary Royal Ballet Company was showing at the Royal Opera House in London, starring, oh, my favourite – the sensational Misty Copeland. She's so inspiring! Can you even believe it? A Tutu-tastic triple whammy - ballet, the "Nutcracker", and Misty Copeland all wrapped up in one magical performance? Now that's what I call a tutu-tastic evening!
But enough about 2017, darling. Let's travel even further back to the origin of these lovely layers of tulle. The tutu is actually quite young in ballet's long history – a veritable spring chicken compared to those centuries-old ballet steps! We owe the invention of the tutu to Marie Taglioni, a celebrated ballerina in the 19th century. And how exciting – imagine how much fashion she changed by shortening her skirt. It really was a revolutionary moment! Now, remember, tutus in those early days weren't just your typical flowing layers we see today. Oh no, these were stiff, often more dramatic, with elaborate, intricate designs. Talk about being "extra" even in ballet history! Think "layered-skirt dress" as opposed to the graceful, sweeping forms of modern day.
In the 20th century, the tutu continued to evolve, from the voluminous, romantic tutus like the ones Maria Tallchief famously danced in, to the shorter, tighter ones – you know, the ones that give you that dramatic, streamlined look - that are synonymous with today’s ballerinas. But even with all these changes, the core spirit of the tutu remained: its beauty, elegance, and magical ability to express both strength and grace.
And, my dears, we can't talk about the tutu's history without discussing its most recent reincarnations: The street ballet style. Imagine it – ballerina silhouettes twirling onto street fashion – from runway trends to casual wear. The humble ballet skirt, the iconic tulle, the captivating ballet shape, all made their way into high street fashion! It's fantastically empowering! This was ballet moving out of the traditional theatre setting, out of the rehearsal studios, into the streets. You see these chic interpretations, the ballet fashion influence in countless designers and retailers – and they even inspire many of us to dance in them!
But wait! Let's rewind for just a second. Because the story of the tutu is more than just about the fashion. It’s about expression, about how dancers express themselves in these wondrous costumes. A tutu can make you feel so powerful! So ethereal, so confident! It allows a dancer to communicate emotions – the joy of dance, the tragedy of a story, the power of music. This makes the tutu more than just a garment - it’s a powerful symbol!
That's it for our Tutu Tuesday time travel, darling! Until next week, keep twirling in the glorious world of tutus and don't forget: The only way to dance through life is with a pink tutu and a smile! (Or perhaps, just a little bit of that pink tulle peeking out under your clothes! ). Remember to hop on over to www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest fashion finds, travel plans, and more.
Your friend, Emma
P.S. Don’t forget, if you’re traveling by train to a ballet show like I do – be sure to pack that travel-sized tulle to add a dash of sparkle to your journey! You never know who you might inspire to don their own tutus.
