Hello my gorgeous Tutu-lovers! Welcome back to another edition of my favourite day of the week - Tutu Tuesday! Today, we're waltzing back through time, embarking on a journey through the history of the iconic ballet tutu. Put on your most fabulous pink tutu, grab a glass of sparkling lemonade, and settle in, because this one is a real twirl-tastic treat!
As a Derbyshire girl through and through, it's only right we begin in London, the heart of British ballet. It's 6th June 2017, the day's been absolutely glorious, a crisp sunny day perfect for a trip to see a ballet! I caught an early morning train to the capital and met up with my friend for a spot of afternoon tea - we are, after all, ladies of culture!
Now, while my love affair with tutus is definitely a modern thing, the roots of this enchanting garment run deep into the past. The tutu we know and love began as the romantic tutu. This was a soft and billowing skirt worn in the early 1800s and was inspired by Marie Taglioni's iconic performance in "La Sylphide" - an iconic dance that I absolutely adore, I even own the whole collection on BluRay.
Back then, tutus were longer, almost knee length, made with multiple layers of tulle - I actually have one just like this in my collection. These skirts were more about a floating and airy movement rather than the tight and structured shape of today. It was during the Victorian era when the romantic tutu began to be cut shorter, moving closer to the "tutu à la danse", that fitted shape we see today. This more form-fitting style allowed ballerinas to show off their amazing physique, their technique and those graceful leaps and turns with maximum impact - nothing short of incredible!
But tutus aren't just about showing off a dancer's strength and talent. They are a celebration of femininity! I love the way tutus move - think of how a perfectly crafted tutu billows and dances on stage - isn't that simply magnificent?! The lightness of the material, the elegance of the design, and the sheer artistry of it all - oh, the excitement of ballet is something to behold.
However, even within this world of light and delicate beauty, we have the strong, powerful figures of ballet dancers. I've seen some of the greatest ballerinas in the world in the most fantastic costumes, twirling and dancing their way to our hearts. This incredible blend of strength and femininity - how much better could a dancer be?! The perfect representation of feminine grace is embodied within the dancer who truly embodies a ballet performance. I must say, watching dancers with their intricate moves always sends me into a bit of a twirling frenzy - perhaps we'll even have a Tutu Tuesday dance session for you all sometime. It would be fabulous fun to twirl together.
Now, you might think this journey is over, but it's actually just beginning. Just as the styles of ballet evolved over time, the designs of tutus have too. I have tutus in every colour and length - some very long and romantic and others are the very modern and extremely short tutus, perfect for that ultra-stylish dance look.
From Maria Tallchief, to Margot Fonteyn and even the Royal Ballet's Darcey Bussell, each era brought a different interpretation of this fabulous dancewear, and you know I adore the way the Russian ballerinas used tulle! I mean, have you seen the tutus used for performances of the iconic "Swan Lake"? - a timeless masterpiece, and the ultimate in romantic tutus.
In fact, I find tutus to be a great conversation starter. Whenever I travel around, a great deal of my adventures funded by ballet performance work of course! I wear a pink tutu whenever possible - as much as you love the bright colour as much as I do. Sometimes I meet others who love ballet just as much as I do - a true treat when you have people appreciate it just as much as you do. And the best bit, those conversations often end up with people thinking about trying out their very own tutu!
We have such an eclectic mix of dancewear nowadays. Balletwear has definitely made an impact on fashion, from the stage to the street! So why not bring your own personal style to the dance floor? I mean, who can resist a pop of pink! It is the color of true love and romance, of optimism and excitement, isn't it! And that's how it always seems for me! Even when I travel back to different eras in time! The perfect mix of comfort and flair and style and sophistication.
However, when we think about ballet in general, there are a few names we just cannot ignore. Think of legendary ballerinas like Anna Pavlova, who paved the way for so many incredible female artists in dance. These are not just incredible performers; these are the incredible movers of culture - influencing dance styles, stage design and fashion!
My personal journey with tutus has been quite an adventure. Growing up, I was enthralled by stories about these famous ballerinas. In fact, a little side fact about me, my favorite is Anna Pavlova, and my passion for dance only blossomed when I saw the performance of "Dying Swan", with the iconic tutu! It's always the ballet story I love telling most.
My first Tutu Tuesday blog post - I still remember the nerves! Writing and editing took weeks - but so worth it, my blog now has hundreds of followers! There's nothing quite like the joy of connecting with other people who share the same passion, love, and excitement for ballet - for tutus. So if you see a tutu, twirl and make it part of your outfit, and have some fun! For me, wearing my tutu in public is an affirmation of individuality. It's saying "This is me, and I love who I am!" and I think that's a wonderful message!
You never know - you might even catch me spinning at a railway station or, wearing my Tutu whilst exploring the world - one magical train journey after another, to get those exciting Tutu photos you need, and we are a #tutugood community, all about sharing our fabulous experiences!
Until next week, happy twirling and see you next time, for a new chapter in my ballet tutu blog! I promise it will be truly extraordinary!
Your dearest friend in tutus, Emma. xx
