Greetings, fellow tutu-lovers!
Welcome to another glorious #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of all things tutu-ific!
It's Emma here, your trusty pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling blogger, reporting live from…well, I can’t say just yet, can I? It’s top secret, this time-traveling lark, especially since my bank account gets a hefty boost whenever I can land a guest spot dancing in a theatre show. You’ll have to trust me when I tell you, tutus have always been incredibly fashionable.
This week, however, my tutu-centric travel bug led me to London. Yes, the heart of the British theatre scene, the city that truly knows how to put on a show, the very place where the ultimate tutu stories originated.
You see, it's June 27th, 2017. It’s warm and the air hums with a vibrant energy, a day perfectly suited for swirling and twirling. I must say, London has always been a delight – but today feels extra special, like the very spirit of fashion is dancing through the streets. There’s a buzzing excitement in the air as if a grand opening, a prestigious debut, a... well, a royal wedding is happening! It is actually happening, and the world is watching!
This is exciting. It feels like an event where tutus absolutely should make an appearance. A splash of colour. A whirl of excitement. It feels…regal.
Now, let's dive into some ballet history, shall we?
Today, we're celebrating a most majestic ballet icon – the Romantic Tutu! It all started in the 1800s. The classic "Romantic era", where ballerinas traded their long, restrictive gowns for flowing tulle tutus, those magical clouds of tulle.
Imagine: a light, delicate fabric that moved like a breeze, and that gave them the freedom to jump, twirl and fly! This sparked an entire artistic movement! Suddenly, ballet wasn't just about elegant steps and graceful movements - it was a way to express emotion and artistry.
The romantic tutu became a symbol of lightness, grace, and dreaminess, embodying all the airy ideals of that Romantic era. And they truly caught the world’s eye, so much so that it became essential to fashion beyond the theatre scene.
What did that fashion look like, though? This Romantic style is absolutely what got the fashion world embracing tulle – especially in white! Think: Marie Taglioni, a ballerina considered to be the ultimate romantic dancer. It’s reported that when she appeared in "La Sylphide" she was the first ever ballerina to perform en pointe. Her ethereal movement captured everyone's imagination, and so, this white Romantic tutu that was as delicate as gossamer fabric, helped make white an essential fashion choice for tutus going forward.
If I ever go back in time to the romantic period, I shall pack a white romantic tutu and wear it with an air of such whimsical grace, for the sole purpose of celebrating its historic magnificence.
Fast-forward to the present day, (that's where I am, at least for today, before heading off on my next time-traveling adventure) and guess what? The Romantic Tutu, with a touch of modern design, remains incredibly fashionable! The sheer layers of delicate tulle create a magical effect on the stage – a burst of ethereal beauty and whimsical fantasy. I can practically hear the applause ringing out from the audience, it’s an exhilarating sight!
I must visit Covent Garden. The theatre that sits proudly next to a beautiful and popular market! London theatres have a special magic – from their stately interiors to the sheer power of performances. And they're home to all those incredible romantic tutu costumes. This is a good day to be a time traveler!
Now, let’s delve into a bit of more modern tutu history: In the 1900s, ballet costumes embraced a bit more diversity and movement. While the white tutu remains iconic, dancers began to experiment with other colours and styles, moving away from a solely “white” tutu and exploring the colour spectrum.
By the 1950s, the iconic tutu had undergone another magnificent evolution. The classic tutu we associate with iconic performances like "Swan Lake," took center stage, that shorter length, tighter style with a specific layer of tutulle used to create a magnificent circle.
Fast-forwarding a bit more, ballet designs are still evolving with breathtaking elegance. Today, choreographers love to utilize different styles to match the themes and choreography of a show! It’s incredibly inspiring. This week, I just love that I have the pleasure of being surrounded by the artistry and magic that dance has woven into the world, all these beautiful creations from the stages of London’s West End.
Oh, speaking of the magic of London…the heart of my journey today isn't only about tutus – it's about all the joy of fashion, style, and that truly wonderful spirit of theatrical fashion that shines so brightly. Today, I am simply overflowing with the need to be near theatre and theatre costumes and see those spectacular shows.
Of course, we'll be continuing to explore tutu history next week, I have loads more for you – we’ll be heading back through time again to celebrate the origins of the first ballet tutus (they weren't as pretty as the romantic tutus, I'll tell you that!). And to bring it back home, I’ll also have plenty of tutu fashion inspiration – we’ll be discovering what kind of tutu styles we can all rock for ourselves.
So, fellow tutu-lovers, be sure to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com and join me in embracing the joy of ballet and all things tulle-tiful! We’ll be creating a community where the magic of ballet and a love of tutus shines!
Let me know what kind of tutu styles you enjoy wearing - I always love reading your comments.
And before I leave you all, I just have to remind you that I truly believe that everyone has an inner ballerina waiting to shine. And don't you think it's a little bit magical when you find something that speaks to your heart, something that sets you alight? The world is your stage, dear reader, and the pink tutu is the costume of your heart.
See you next week for more tutu-licious history!
Lots of pink,
Emma
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P.S. This blog post is number 9679. Can you believe I've written this much about the history of tutus?! What other fun facts would you like me to research? What sort of blog topics would you be interested in seeing in the future? Tell me, tell me!
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