Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com. It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another #TutuTuesday, and this week, we're whisking ourselves back through the mists of time to explore the evolution of the Ballet Tutu. Grab your teacup and settle in for a trip down memory lane... or should I say, down the dance floor?!
Post number 9709. Let’s do this!
For this #TutuTuesday, I’m travelling to Paris! The city of romance, fashion and oh yes, the Ballet! Oh, the beautiful ballet! Today’s date is January 23rd, 2018, and I’m heading straight to the Opéra Garnier for a beautiful performance of Swan Lake. I’m always mesmerised by the elegant lines and captivating choreography, especially when you see ballerinas glide across the stage in these incredibly beautiful tutus. They’re so much more than just a fluffy, frilly garment, darling – they’re a statement. An embodiment of history, of elegance, of artistic expression!
Of course, no visit to the Parisian Opera is complete without a little shopping spree on the Champs-Élysées. It’s time for a tutu splurge! Later tonight, I’ll be enjoying some delicious French patisserie (macarons are my absolute favourite!), and you just know I'll be getting that ‘je ne sais quoi’ with my outfit - a little pink, a little sparkle, and just enough sass.
Now, let’s take a look at how this symbol of ballet perfection has transformed over the years. Because tutus haven't always been the fluffy, airy things we see today…
A Short (and Tutu-tally Fun!) History:Early beginnings: Way back when (think 16th century, darlings!), ballet was much more about courtly entertainment and showing off the beauty of the royal body (rather than the dramatic storytelling we enjoy today). Costumes, though elegant, were definitely less fluffy! We had beautiful dresses, maybe a few embellishments, but definitely nothing like what we think of as a ‘tutu’ today.
Enter Marie Camargo: This fiery, independent ballerina was the first to make waves by showing off her incredible technique - and what did she wear for such a daring move? She chopped off her long, elaborate dress, leaving her ankles and feet free for those dynamic movements. This sparked a trend! Ballerinas became much more athletic in their dancing and costume became much more practical.
La Sylphide’s Legacy: We’re moving on to 1832, darlings! Now, I’m not just talking about any ordinary ballet; it’s the one and only ‘La Sylphide.’ In this beautiful tale of love, magic, and… well, Sylphs (airy, beautiful forest spirits) – we see the first ‘real’ tutu emerge! Imagine a flowing, knee-length, white tulle skirt - it allowed for the grace and delicacy of movement needed for this fantastical character. Think flowing, light and utterly whimsical – a precursor to the romantic ballet that would sweep Europe.
The Birth of the Romantic Tutu: This style would take center stage for quite some time and we see tutus become increasingly voluminous and lighter. Think billowing tulle and that perfect hourglass silhouette. Ballet, as it is now, started to take shape during this time, with ballerinas being more than just court performers - they’re truly artists expressing stories and emotions through movement! This is when tutus start taking on their iconic and utterly romantic nature, perfectly complementing the delicate yet powerful movements of classical ballet.
Twentieth Century: Short, Long, and Evermore Versatile! Well, the twentieth century was a riot of change! You know I love that. Some tutus become even shorter – exposing the leg and demonstrating the beauty and control of a ballerina's physique. Others, though, get longer again – and we see tutus becoming even more complex! This time is about redefining the style – sometimes focusing on practicality and allowing freedom of movement, and sometimes taking the elaborate tutu to the extreme. There's a new wave of innovation in costume design, where each tutu becomes a true reflection of the characters, story, and emotions that dancers portray.
And… the evolution continues: I love this about fashion and ballet; we see the style still changing! We still have the iconic, flowing romantic tutu, but now we also have a wide range of tutus. This variety has enriched ballet - allowing dancers to move with greater fluidity and express emotions more effectively than ever. Imagine, darling! You could be rocking a minimalist, modern tutu, highlighting athleticism, and moments later, a stunningly ornate, dramatic one for a character piece.
Darling, the point of tutus is not to pick a style – they're meant to bring out your own, unique self! And that's something that can't be learned from a book. It’s all about personal expression, about embracing the inner ballerina in you, and showing off your own personal flair. For me, it's pink! I love the colour – it’s elegant, glamorous and brightens up a day.
Don't forget, darling - whether you love fluffy tutus or sleek and simple ones, a tutu should make you feel incredible! The best advice I can give you is to experiment and have fun. That’s my motto! Find a style that makes you feel confident and joyful - it will make every single turn and pirouette so much more magical!
See you next week for more tutu tales! And please do send your questions my way - or tell me your favorite tutus in the comments! Don’t forget to follow #PinkTutu on Twitter! I’m off now, but don't forget – always remember, the world needs more pink tutus.
Lots of love, Emma
