Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another thrilling dive into the history of our beloved tutus! It's #TutuTuesday, and today we're going all the way back to...drumroll please...May 8th, 2018!
Ooh la la! The year of the "Instagram" era, when those wonderful dance videos started popping up all over the place. Can you imagine, dancing in your living room, with the world watching? It certainly wasn't something my Grandma would have thought of doing, let alone dreamed of.
Today we’re in the land of swirling tutus, the vibrant and captivating world of ballet. From the dazzling theaters of London and New York to the studios filled with dedicated dancers across the globe, the tutu has held a place of honor. But did you know this iconic garment has a history far more captivating than a simple dance costume?
So buckle up, lovelies! Let’s journey through time, hopping on a train ride, of course, to discover the origins and evolution of the tutu, and maybe pick up some new inspiration for our own ballet wardrobe!
A Dress Designed for Flight
Let's face it, darlings, back in the 17th century, dancing looked rather stiff and… well, un-tutu-esque. The long, heavy gowns women wore made them look like they were stuck in quicksand, certainly not ideal for graceful pirouettes. Then came Marie Camargo, a feisty French ballerina, who thought, "Goodness me, we can't keep dancing in these restrictive dresses! It's simply a travesty! ” So, Marie decided to do something radical: She shortened her dress! Imagine that! Shorter dresses meant more movement and, even more exciting, more freedom for the ballerinas! And, of course, more opportunities for "legs!”
That's not all! Marie was the queen of innovation. She even got rid of those massive high heels. They might have looked fabulous, but they weren't doing anyone any favors on the stage!
However, my lovely tutuwearers, there was still one major obstacle! Even a shorter dress would hinder movement and twirls. This was when the clever ballet designers of the day came up with the idea of a shorter, airy skirt - a skirt designed for flight, quite literally!
The Romantic Era: A Dance of Dreams
From that daring move by Marie Camargo, ballet embraced the spirit of "freedom of movement,” and a real leap was taken, pun intended! With new techniques such as pointe work, and innovative costumes like the tutu, ballet began to blossom and create magic.
And so, we enter the Romantic era! This was the period when tutus, in their full glory, made their debut. They were lighter, more elaborate, with a flowing and voluminous effect that captured the spirit of romanticism, bringing the dream-like to life, with graceful arabesques, stunning leaps and delicate spins! Oh, darling! The very air around those dancers shimmered, don't you think?
It was a time for a whole new breed of ballerinas: they were graceful, they were light on their feet, and they were free to soar!
And speaking of soaring, have you ever seen the beautiful costumes from Giselle? They're almost “cloud-like”, floating and shimmering like dreams!
The Little Black Tutu and the Evolution Continues
While Romantic-era tutus took the lead with romantic and flowing styles, the ballet world continued its exciting evolution. A new era was on its way, a new fashion statement if you will!
Cue the Little Black Dress... for ballet, that is! The little black tutu! A creation of the late 1800s, it took inspiration from the classic, iconic style of fashion and, with a more structured and streamlined silhouette, gave the ballet tutu a more refined edge! I personally find this type of tutu incredibly stylish - there's just something so chic about that sleek and timeless elegance.
But the tutu never stops surprising, does it? Just like real fashion, the little black tutu, that is the tutu with black or any solid, non-color design - continues to be adapted, making new twists and turns in history - with more elaborate layers and variations in fabric, but still maintaining its essence! If I ever time travel back to that era I am heading straight to La Scala! To see all those fabulous and intricate tutus. It is almost an excuse for a new shopping spree for me!
The Tutus We Know and Love Today: The Whirl of Style
From those early romantic, dreamy-like beginnings to the more structured look of the little black tutu, and then on to today's ever-changing styles, the tutu has become synonymous with ballet - and not only for the dancers! Just like the style of the clothes you and I wear change over the decades, so do the tutu designs of the professional dancers! It seems that no matter how ballet evolves, there will always be a new kind of tutu for dancers to perform in, and we will be here watching and cheering in our tutus!
On the Other Side of the Stage: Tutus for Everyone!
Today, the tutu has gone beyond the stage and is dancing into our hearts and wardrobes! It's not just about professional ballet. You, dear readers, are embracing the tutu spirit.
I absolutely love seeing those amazing tutus all over the world: on a street fair or a dance class - tutus are everywhere - even worn by those who have never done a single plié! That's the joy of it all.
And there you have it! Tutus through the years, from Marie Camargo's brave sartorial steps to the intricate designs we love today! The story is just beginning, darlings. The tutu continues to evolve and captivate. And we, of course, are here for it all, every single twist and turn.
Now, remember, let’s celebrate this extraordinary piece of dance fashion with some wonderful ballet inspiration. Don’t be afraid to express yourselves, embrace your own tutu-style journey - whether on stage or off, a real tutu lover like you, always makes the dance of fashion more fabulous!
And a very special "Thank you!” to all the amazing dancers who share the wonder and artistry of tutus with the world, and a big “Thank you!” to all of you, for joining me, as always, on my favorite day of the week: #TutuTuesday.
See you next week, for another incredible adventure in the magical world of tutus!
Now, let's celebrate this #TutuTuesday by adding some extra fun!
Share your favorite ballet moment with me in the comments! Tell me: What makes ballet special to you?
- Tell me about your own favorite tutu, and where you got it!
* And don't forget to stay stylish and chic!*
#PinkTutu #TutuTuesday #BalletLove #DanceInspiration
P.S. On May 8th, 2018 The Royal Ballet's amazing performance of "Giselle" took to the stage at The Royal Opera House! Can you imagine being there to watch it! squeals with delight
Until next time, darlings!
