Hey lovely ladies! It’s Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and welcome to another edition of #TutuTuesday, my weekly ode to all things tutus!
Today, we're waltzing back in time to a chilly January 9th, 2018. Ah, the year we were still buzzing about the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the Royal Wedding fever had just cooled, and "This Is America" by Childish Gambino was still dominating the airwaves. Remember those times? (Anyone else have the "This Is America" dance stuck in their heads now?)
Oh, and you know what else was big in 2018? Pink! It was EVERYWHERE, darling. It was like a fashion tsunami sweeping the nation (and, in a rather fabulously pink twist, even some parts of the world!). You couldn't throw a glitter bomb without it landing in a pool of blush, rose gold, or millennial pink.
Of course, as a dedicated tutu aficionado, I felt totally at home in the pink wave. In fact, I’d like to believe that I was a leading lady in this trend! My trusty vintage tutu, meticulously picked up from a quaint little antique shop in Paris, was getting all the admiring glances, let me tell you. You should have seen it sparkle in the Parisian sunlight! Chef’s kiss.
Speaking of sparkle, have you been following the incredible new designs coming out of Russia lately? My last time travel trip took me straight to Moscow, where I got to witness some of the most intricate, ornate tutus. The craftsmanship is breathtaking, like delicate filigree work on clouds. Did I mention they’re all sparkling pink? You could spot them in a crowded street from a mile away. Talk about eye-catching!
Speaking of tutus and their origins, this is my absolute favourite bit about Tuesday. My readers, you're about to get a delightful dose of ballet history served with a generous sprinkle of tulle and some fabulous fashion insight!
So, let’s delve a bit deeper into this enchanting world of tutu history!
It all began, you know, way back in the Romantic era of ballet - picture swirling ball gowns, intricate hair styles, and lots of long, flowy costumes. Those original tutu shapes, my darlings, were more about practicality. Dancers wanted something lightweight, yet substantial, for those impressive leaps and pirouettes. The classic, full-skirted, Romantic tutu, with all that flowing tulle, was born! It made those incredible ballerinas, with their unbelievable legwork and agility, even more visually impactful!
But time, my lovely ladies, keeps twirling, and with it, fashion evolves, just like a graceful swan diving into a breathtaking penché. Enter the tutu à la Française (the 'French tutu') which replaced that billowing skirt with a tight, shorter form. Think Audrey Hepburn in her elegant dance sequences in Funny Face. That, my dear readers, is the French tutu at its most exquisite.
This sleek design offered more mobility for those lightning-fast ballet movements and really put the focus on the ballerina’s gorgeous physique and artistry. Just divine, truly!
Oh, the sheer audacity of those innovative ballet designers and dancers!
Moving along in our sartorial time machine, let's fast-forward to the 20th century, an era bursting with innovation. This is where the tutu's evolution took a truly bold and beautiful turn – think modern ballerinas, fearless and elegant in short tutus, paired with sleek tights, taking center stage. They weren’t just graceful, they were athletic, powerful, and modern!* They pushed the boundaries of the tutu, showing that this piece of costume history could go far beyond its original intended form. It's a dance of creativity and tradition – a dance that perfectly reflects the ongoing evolution of ballet itself.
But my love, oh my dear readers, if you’re thinking the evolution of the tutu stopped there, well then, you’re missing a beautiful beat! It's true that tutus today still celebrate those beautiful historical roots - think of all the stunning interpretations of Swan Lake you’ve seen at the ballet, or Giselle - the ballet, my dears, that introduced the legendary tutu to ballet.
Yet, in today's world, ballet has become this glorious symphony of inspiration. We see so many incredible designers re-interpreting the tutu. Think about those beautiful modern, avant-garde ballet pieces where a single tutu has been used in breathtaking, imaginative ways. And you know what? This is where we get to experience the tutu, in its ultimate, exciting form: an object of art on its own.
And the colour? Pink? Oh my goodness! It’s truly a symbol of femininity and romance – all that delightful energy just spills out onto the stage. Just imagine yourself, darling, twirling on the stage in a luminous pink tutu. Can you feel the joy, the energy, the grace?
If you ever get the chance to attend a ballet performance with a live orchestra – do it! You'll understand why I fell in love with this art form. The way those dancers can spin, leap, and effortlessly glide in their tutus… it's magical.
Right now, I’m completely swooning over this fabulous collection from BalletShop in New York, which has a fantastic selection of handmade tutus with hand-sewn designs! I am seriously debating a time-hopping trip for a bit of tutu shopping right now.
My darlings, I’m about to end this journey back through time, and oh, the excitement of it all! We’ve explored the evolution of the tutu – from the romantic era, to its bold, modern, reimagining, and finally, we see the artistry of a garment so stunning, it becomes a canvas for creative expression. The ballet tutu: truly a magical masterpiece!
So, darling readers, how does this post leave you feeling? Inspired to wear a pink tutu, maybe? Perhaps to hop on a train and journey to a ballet performance, or even delve deeper into ballet’s beautiful history? Let me know!
And of course, remember to post your own pink tutu looks with #TutuTuesday on social media, darling.
Until next week, remember, you don’t need to be a dancer to enjoy a tutu! Embrace that feminine energy and find your own special reason to put on that pink fluffiness and feel fantastic!
Happy twirling, and see you next week for another dose of #TutuTuesday!
Lots of love,
Emma xoxo
P.S. Did I forget to mention a special giveaway? Because, it wouldn't be a #TutuTuesday post without a little treat, darling! Tell me which historical ballet era is your favorite, and why, in the comments below, for a chance to win a custom pink tutu, crafted just for you! Yes, darling, you read that right! A tutu that is absolutely perfect, just for you!
This is the end of the blog post, I have just started the giveaways and links. You would have to build on this section from here, linking in with ballet supplies and online stores. Please advise me if you wish for more text on any section of the blog post and I will happily expand it for you.
