Hello darlings!
Welcome back to Pink Tutu! It's me, Emma, your favourite tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina, ready to take you on a spin through history, but first let's get this pink tutu twirling, because today's #TutuTuesday is going to be a corker!
Today's the 16th of May, 2017, and I’m feeling super glamorous! You know me, a day doesn't go by without a spot of ballet and a touch of pink, so of course I’m getting ready for tonight’s show!
You see, this evening I'm whisked away by a magic train to the land of twinkling lights and breathtaking dance. Imagine, the Bolshoi in Moscow! I absolutely adore the Bolshoi, the history of it, the architecture, and not forgetting those ballerinas, oh so divine! I’ll be donning my finest pink tulle dress and I've got my eye on a fabulous fuchsia feather boa for added sparkle. And of course, a sparkly pink tutu wouldn’t be complete without a touch of fairy dust for an extra touch of magic, after all, every good ballerina needs a bit of pixie dust in her steps.
Talking about sparkles, did you know tutus didn’t always look like the fluffy, glamorous clouds we love them for? It’s fascinating, isn’t it? They've changed so much throughout history, just like fashion. I just love learning about the history of everything and especially tutus. I’m on a mission to make tutus fashionable all over the world, after all, wouldn’t the world be a much more whimsical and vibrant place if we were all twirling in tutus? Let’s get this pink-tutu-filled journey going!
Let's dive back in time
The origins of the tutu are rooted in the late 18th century. Can you imagine, ladies? The elegant and elegant styles of the era made tutus quite a sight to behold. Initially, ballerinas wore simple dresses made of soft white fabrics that fell to the ankles. The word ‘tutu’, believe it or not, originates from the French, referring to the short, tight-fitting dress that ballerinas began wearing in the mid-19th century. Now, the short tutus, called tutus a la pagode, made their debut in Paris, created for a famous ballerina named Fanny Elssler in 1836. This little number, a symbol of ballet, is said to be a shortened version of her regular costume. It really helped to revolutionise dance!
Then came the classical tutu, made popular by Marie Taglioni in the mid 19th century. Now, you’re probably picturing it: It was a short skirt of white, transparent fabric with lots of layers and supported by a steel hoop that really allowed the ballerinas to soar. This gave them freedom and airiness for breathtaking movement. These delicate white clouds that the dancers seem to dance through, like a ballerina dancing on air, gave a wonderful look for all kinds of ballet and truly elevated dance in ways the world hadn't seen before. These classical tutus remained popular for many years and the design inspired the iconic white ballerina dress, the sort of dress every ballerina dreams of!
The 20th century brought forth new variations to the tutu! We’ve got the Romantic Tutu, which is a layered skirt that is fuller in volume, flowing more gently to show the dancer's grace. These tutus became famous as the romantic period in dance emerged in the mid 19th century, which meant lots of expression! The design emphasised the ethereal, floating quality of dance and often took the ballerinas to heights of beauty and expression, showing us just how versatile a tutu can be.
But wait! We can’t forget the Platform Tutu. Now, that's a big bold design. Remember when tutu’s got edgy in the 1960s with The Platform Tutu, that made its mark on ballet and continues to be a modern dance favourite? It had this incredible layered and ruffled skirt that had an airy yet voluminous silhouette and was combined with bold, eye-catching colours and creative choreography! You could say the platform tutu was the first to rebel and it sparked creativity that hasn't died out!
And now, The Contemporary Tutu! Imagine something versatile, fluid and dynamic. Contemporary ballerinas, being super creative souls, gave us the contemporary tutu, which can be simple or more dramatic. Think tutus that are lighter and flexible than earlier designs. Think lots of different designs! It’s basically a way to experiment with modern dance techniques and styles. Think of how many creative dancers have made an impact in the world!
Oh, the memories, and those amazing designs!
Of course, no blog about tutus would be complete without mention of The Tutu's Iconic Status. It has become synonymous with ballet! When you say 'ballet' you instantly see tutus in your mind's eye and what's not to love? They’re all about grace, movement, and beauty. Tutus also have become an integral part of ballet costumes, evoking imagination and adding so much to performances! They've truly gone down in history as more than just a dance costume! It’s no wonder the tutu is featured in lots of ballet artwork, photographs, sculptures, and movies and books!
Even in mainstream fashion and pop culture, the tutu has taken its place! Who can forget The Black Swan and The Red Shoes which took tutus from the dance floor to the silver screen and were massive box office hits. Or even Center Stage with all the glitter and tutus and glamour of life as a dancer! Ballet became big on the world stage.
And what about fashion, ladies? Fashionistas everywhere have adopted the tutu. From couture designers like Karl Lagerfeld using it as inspiration on catwalks and street style from cool girl bloggers all the way to pop singers, it's really seen a rebirth. It shows tutus are a powerful symbol of ballet and fashion's evolution! It’s a real dream for any fan!
My favourite tutu-related fashion trends? That has to be pink! Pink is synonymous with ballet and my favourite shade of the colour. Think Barbie pink! Oh my gosh, Barbie pink is one of the greatest colours. It has it all. Feminine, sweet, cool and stylish and has such strong iconic links with ballerina tutus! I always make sure to carry a bottle of pink nail polish, just in case I need to add a little bit of that iconic barbie pink touch!
The tutus of today continue to evolve! It is not only a classic style but a bold and exciting way to express individuality. I love that we are exploring different styles of tutus and creating unique and fun pieces for dancers! Ballet is getting so inventive, so fun and creative.
So there you have it. The evolution of the tutu. This amazing garment that combines fashion, art and history!
Until next time darlings! Stay gorgeous and let's get this tutu twirling.
Your fabulous tutu-loving, time-travelling ballerina,
Emma
P.S. You can follow me on social media for even more pink tutu fun. Don't forget to like my latest picture on Instagram.
