Hello, darling tutufarians! It’s your favourite pink-clad ballerina, Emma, back with another edition of #TutuTuesday! I’m so excited to be here with you all on this sunny Tuesday – though, it is a little nippy in London today!
But let’s face it, there’s no such thing as bad weather when you’re wrapped up in a glorious tutu. It's truly a fashion statement for any occasion, even a trip through time! (I know, it’s all very whimsical – but that’s just my style!).
Today, darling readers, we're taking a twirl back through history – specifically, February 7th, 2017! And what better way to mark this day than with a little dance through the wonderful world of the tutu?
2017 – A Year of Tutu Transformation!
Now, if you've been following me for a while, you know I’m all about embracing tutus, and 2017 was a really fabulous year for tutu history. Think 'The Greatest Showman', a movie that took the world by storm – and of course, those stunning ballet-inspired costumes, including those show-stopping tutus, which brought a dash of tutu magic to the big screen! And who can forget the mesmerizing grace of the ballerinas in 'La La Land'? The artistry, the emotion, the tutus – it was simply breathtaking!
I had the most delightful time watching these films, catching the magic of ballet unfold on screen. But of course, it's not the same as feeling the electricity of a live performance, with the whole theatre bursting with the energy of a truly passionate audience! I was lucky enough to be in Derbyshire, my lovely hometown, seeing a stunning ballet performance that had a tutu as its centrepiece – an experience that just took my breath away!
I'm really fortunate that my life is spent hopping from time period to time period – just me and my pink tutus, enjoying a grand tour of the world of ballet. But how do I afford it? You may be asking. Well, darling friends, I have to be savvy. It’s all about the performance! When I’m not on the train, I'm dazzling on stage! Every week, I find the most fantastic performances – some hidden gems, some international sensation, to give me a taste of different cultures and time periods. And with my flair for fashion, it just wouldn't be fair to be on stage with just any old tutu! Oh no, darlings, I always put together my own special pieces. Sometimes a splash of colour, sometimes an unusual texture – each performance, a brand-new design, and a beautiful journey of fashion exploration!
Speaking of which, London has always been my go-to for my sartorial fix. My current mission is to add a sprinkle of this 2017 glamour to my own tutu collection! That's what my journey to the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden this Tuesday is all about.
I'll have a blog update for you, lovely friends, all about my trip, and what magical fashion treasures I find! Until then, remember: you can embrace your inner ballerina with a twirl in any tutu you want, no matter the size, no matter the color, no matter the occasion. Go on, embrace your inner princess!
Now, a bit about this magical day in 2017!
I found some absolutely gorgeous things:
Did you know February 7th is World Tutu Day?! I didn't either until I hopped into my time machine and came across this fabulous day dedicated to celebrating tutus! It was like destiny – my mission to get the world twirling was clearly on track.
I saw some very inspiring designs during the London Fashion Week – think delicate and whimsical with a touch of retro – I just love when history takes inspiration from itself, doesn’t it?
You know, Londoners really embraced a bold, playful colour palette. Imagine the excitement when I went to shop! A real cornucopia of pink and purple!
And how can we forget the beautiful Ballet performance at the Royal Opera House, an awe-inspiring evening full of twirls, leaps, and dazzling tutus. And speaking of twirls… let’s dive deeper into this delightful ballet fashion phenomenon!
The Evolution of the Tutu
Every twirling fashionista loves a great history lesson! The tutu story began long before Marie Taglioni, that beautiful, beautiful icon, stole the hearts of audiences in 1841 (you all saw the movie right? That dramatic tutu! That grand stage! I wish I’d been there!). You know how it’s said? They were all wearing long, heavy, restrictive dresses, but Taglioni? Oh, darling, she swished, she flew, and she showed the world the wonder of the ballet dress! But even before Taglioni, tutus started to evolve. In the 1500s, Italian ballerinas, those fearless pioneers, would wear costumes of colourful silk, starting to add layers and tiers – I can only imagine how it all felt!
But it was that magical moment in 1839 with Taglioni's iconic tutu in "La Sylphide," that marked the birth of the romantic tutu, with its ethereal grace, long layers of gauze, and breathtaking softness. It was like, well, like the opening of the heavens, I think! That's when tutus truly gained their symbolic meaning - lightness, innocence, and artistry. It became a canvas for dancers, a way to express emotion and story. I adore romantic tutus, the graceful fall, the softness - a total diva!
And then, the Romantic era gave way to the grand tutu – think "Swan Lake"! Shorter and more structured. Imagine the sheer power and dynamism! It took ballerina power to the next level – we're talking huge jumps, beautiful line, stunning grace! Those tutus truly held the dancer, supported their movements – I felt empowered when I wore mine during one of my grand performances in Paris. But you see, each stage is a different journey, and a dancer needs a tutu that takes her on every step, a faithful fashion partner who makes it all possible.
And of course, the evolution continues to this day! Today's tutu, it’s like magic – a beautiful combination of all these past forms. Modern ballet gives us contemporary and bold shapes, dramatic movements, it's exciting, experimental – and tutus follow that flow of change.
I can't imagine ballet without a tutu – they truly make dancing an experience to cherish. And darling readers, it’s about time we embraced our own stories! Let’s take it to the streets! We are the new era, we are modern tutuistas, we wear our passion for ballet proudly – let’s show the world that a pink tutu is as glamorous on the subway as on a Parisian stage!
Happy twirling, darlings, and stay tuned! Next Tuesday we explore more history of the tutu – I’m diving into the history of pointe shoes - but for now, it’s time to shop! I’ll keep you updated on the adventures of your favourite pink-loving ballerina!
