#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2017-06-13

Welcome back to Pink Tutu, lovelies! It's your favourite tutu-obsessed time traveller, Emma, here, back with another #TutuTuesday blog post. Today we're diving into the enchanting history of the tutu, a garment that makes every twirl a little bit magical.

You might think that tutus are a fairly new invention, a pretty frill of the last century, but the origins of the tutu can be traced all the way back to the late 18th century! Can you imagine the thrill of waltzing in one of the first, rather simple, versions?

Now, imagine this: the courtly costumes of the 18th century. Ladies in lavish, full-skirted dresses, heavy fabrics, and layers upon layers of petticoats, all perfect for graceful walking, but not for pirouettes and leaps! That's where our first tutu steps in.

In the late 1700s, as ballet began to evolve, dancers were experimenting with shorter, less restricting skirts to allow for greater freedom of movement. The evolution of the tutu began!

Here's where the timeline gets a little bit exciting, lovelies. Remember Marie Taglioni? The epitome of Romantic ballet? In 1832, she captivated the world by dancing the famous La Sylphide in a billowing, white tutu that extended nearly to her ankles! This creation was a total game-changer. It finally gave the ballerina that air of lightness, like a wisp of a being, and showed the world that ballet was more than just a pretty dance; it was a delicate, ethereal art form!

This "Romantic" tutu became a staple in the world of ballet, its layers of tulle giving a beautiful fluidity to the dancers' movements, allowing them to float and soar through the air like butterflies.

But the tutu wasn't finished evolving yet.

Over the next few decades, it kept adapting and reinventing itself, as new ballet styles and aesthetics took hold. In the middle of the 19th century, we see the emergence of the "classical" tutu, with a tighter bodice and a shorter, bouffant skirt, giving dancers even more flexibility to move around, allowing them to showcase the grace and technical prowess that we are so used to seeing in ballet.

Now, for some dramatic effect, let's jump ahead to the 20th century! Imagine this: The arrival of the "petit" tutu, a streamlined creation, allowing for lightning-fast leaps and lightning-fast jumps and turns, perfectly suited to the dynamic new ballet styles of the time.

Think "Les Sylphides", the quintessential Romantic ballet, versus "La Bayadere", which featured a "petit" tutu - a more athletic dance style required a new kind of tutu for its expression.

The beauty of this "petit" tutu was also that its elegance could transform from the stage to the streets! Remember those bold dance styles of the 60s and 70s? The tutu took off and went mainstream, adorning young girls in brightly-colored interpretations of this delicate, classic design.

And it just shows no sign of disappearing - the “petit” tutu remains iconic today, whether we see it in modern choreographies or, perhaps most memorably, worn by a tiny ballerina at the top of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Christmas tree!

This week, I want you to think about the history of your own tutu journey.

Perhaps you've been a tutu wearer since childhood? Remember that time you wore one as a fairy or an elf at school, twirling for all those eager classmates? Or have you only recently found the wonder of the tutu?

What tutu-wearing memories come flooding back to you? Was it your very first ballet class? Was it the magical moment you saw a ballet live on stage?

Let’s talk in the comments and share our tutu love! What are your favourite moments with the tutu?

I feel truly lucky that I have access to a world full of history and wonderful tutus. Today's date is the 13th of June, 2017, and I’m making the most of it! I'm at a beautiful theatre, a beautiful ornate structure with intricate balconies and dazzling chandeliers. I just saw a performance of “Giselle”, one of my favourite ballets. The story of a young village girl who tragically falls in love with a nobleman – pure heartbreak but danced so beautifully. I always enjoy a good cry during this one. I’ve even picked up a new tulle skirt that will be perfect for twirling about the park back in Derbyshire. It has lovely layers and a beautiful shade of pale blue, which contrasts beautifully with my pink shoes!

That’s all for now, lovelies! Remember to tag your pictures with #TutuTuesday! Stay stylish and always remember to embrace your inner ballerina. 🩰💕

See you next week!

Emma 💖

Pink Tutu - Bringing Fashion & Ballet Together - #TutuTuesday

Follow us!

Instagram: @pinktutublog Twitter: @pinktutublog Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinktutublog

Find our complete archives on www.pink-tutu.com

Post 9677