Hello darlings! Itâs Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another dazzling dive into the world of ballet history! Todayâs #TutuTuesday is taking us on a magical journey through the evolution of the tutu, those glorious, airy wonders that allow us ballerinas to float and leap with such ethereal grace!
It's Tuesday the 12th of June 2018, and I'm feeling very "pinkalicious", having just enjoyed a fabulous performance of Swan Lake in Paris! The Bolshoi Ballet absolutely stole the show - the dancers were magnificent! The romanticism of the ballet and the elegance of the tutus was simply breath-taking.
But before we get caught up in the contemporary spectacle, let's step back in time and see how these iconic garments came to grace the stages of the world.
The Early Days of Ballet: Before the Tutu
In the early days of ballet, ballerinas, rather than soaring through the air, were more likely to be gliding around in voluminous gowns. Imagine, darling, long, flowing dresses restricting your every move! Not very conducive to dancing, was it?
Thankfully, those heavy garments began to disappear in the 17th century, with the arrival of the bouffant. The bouffant was much lighter, using layers of fabric to create a larger skirt that could actually move. It gave those pioneering ballerinas a chance to develop leaps and jumps, although their repertoire wasn't as varied as what we see today.
Enter the Romantic Tutu
It wasn't until the 19th century that the first "real" tutus graced the stage. Enter the Romantic Tutu, my absolute favourite! You can thank Marie Taglioni, one of the greatest ballerinas of all time, for that, darling. This ethereal, lightweight design had a full skirt reaching down to the calf, just brushing the ground with every delicate pirouette. Think La Sylphide and Giselle - the Romantic Tutu gave ballerinas a new level of fluidity and freedom. It allowed them to truly express their characters and make ballet more expressive and romantic.
The Romantic Tutu remains my absolute favourite - I find its airy elegance and delicate construction simply divine! I always make sure to have at least one Romantic Tutu in my collection! Iâm wearing my favourite pink one right now as I type this!
The "Longer than Long" Tutu
By the 20th century, we see the emergence of what some would consider the ultimate tutus - those "long than long" ones that sweep the floor. Imagine the incredible volume, like a giant fluffy cloud! Some of my favourites from this era are âLa Bayadèreâ, âSleeping Beautyâ, and "Swan Lake" .These tutus have been seen on many great ballerinas, and for good reason! It's hard to resist their dramatic appeal, and, if you're anything like me, their fabulous volume and elegance just leave you wanting more.
And of course... the Tutu as Fashion
Speaking of dramatic, darling, the tutu is no longer just for the stage! These glorious creations have become an undeniable part of pop culture and fashion! Think fashion shoots, music videos, red carpets, you name it - those glamorous tutus are everywhere! They represent everything we love about ballet: elegance, femininity, and of course, freedom!
And while the length and details might change, one thing remains constant: a tutu is all about showcasing the ballerina's grace and beauty! The tutu itself is a testament to artistic creativity, blending form, function and elegance to create an absolutely enchanting piece.
I am, of course, not alone in my love of tutus, darling. In the grand, historic halls of London, the Royal Opera House is showcasing an incredible display of tutus as part of their exhibition âTutus: The Art of Dress for Dance".
This amazing exhibition celebrates the beautiful and intricate costumes created by iconic ballet costume designers! The world's leading dance and costume designers have been recruited to create breathtaking original tutus inspired by some of balletâs most treasured classics. The Royal Ballet itself even participated, crafting a modern take on a traditional tutu! You know what they say, darling: fashion is a cycle!
As a lifelong ballet devotee, seeing my favourite designs brought to life like this fills my heart with joy. Seeing tutus as an art form, a work of art, is pure inspiration. And you, my dears, deserve to have this inspiration in your life as well. So if you ever have the chance to visit the Royal Opera House and see this exhibition, grab your best friend, slip into your favourite tutu (the pinker, the better, darling!), and indulge in the enchanting world of dance fashion!
Speaking of London, this week's blog is brought to you from my new temporary home: a quaint cottage just a short stroll away from Buckingham Palace! I have just arrived from New York City and had a lovely journey from Grand Central Station, which is quite a sight to behold, on one of their bright red sleeper trains. If youâve never travelled on a sleeper train, youâre missing out darling! The atmosphere is simply magical, with so much history.
London, of course, is an amazing city for a ballerina. The shops are fabulous, darling! I picked up a stunning black velvet top with pearl embellishments for a fraction of the price! I can't wait to wear it for my ballet class this afternoon! I'm excited for my next dance class - we're working on Swan Lake variations, which means plenty of time to practice with the famous "long than long" tutu! I'm still working on my jumps, but I'm determined to execute those "ballonnĂŠ" leaps with perfect grace!
Speaking of tutus, darling, I must be getting this post published for my loyal followers! I need to keep sharing the tutu love, to remind the world just how beautiful and powerful a simple piece of tulle can be! Stay tuned, darlings! More #TutuTuesday fun coming your way soon! Remember to follow me on social media, join my pink tutu posse, and join me in the world of dance! Donât forget, darling: a tutu makes every day a little more magical.
Until next week, may your days be filled with beautiful ballet, delightful tutus, and endless amounts of pink!
P.S. What is your favourite tutu style, darling? Let me know in the comments below! I love to hear your thoughts. And be sure to share your own tutu photos with me! Use the hashtag #PinkTutuPosse!
Love,
Emma x
