Oh, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink is always in season and tutus are the ultimate accessory. It's a glorious #TutuTuesday, and you know what that means! A deep dive into the fascinating history of the iconic tutu, those magical, whimsical garments that have graced stages worldwide for centuries. Today, I'm whisking you back in time to July 3rd, 2018 - just imagine, the summer air buzzing with the excitement of holiday season. My trip was just as exciting!
Today, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, I was frolicking in the beautiful Parisian sunshine. There is something magical about Paris in the summer! Imagine it - cafes filled with laughter, the Seine shimmering under a blue sky, and, oh, the shops! Oh, la la! My inner shopaholic was having a ball. After all, there's no better place in the world to pick up a little something sparkly than Paris!
My current tutu, a beautiful confection in shades of blush pink with a hint of shimmering silver, turned heads all over the city. Naturally, I'd accessorized with my signature fluffy pink pom poms and my trusty black beret. It was quite the picture, wouldn't you say?
Anyway, before I bore you with all my adventures (a story for another time), let's get back to the reason we're here - tutus! On this particular 3rd of July, I spent the morning lost in the opulent Opéra Garnier. A majestic setting for a ballet, wasn't it? A true temple to dance! And you can imagine my joy when I saw the "Sleeping Beauty" poster, a true classic.
Now, you all know that the tutu has been around for a long time. It's not a new fad. The earliest tutus, the ones from the late 1800s, were pretty heavy affairs. Think knee-length skirts made from multiple layers of tulle, stiff as a board, designed for, well, more practical ballet purposes rather than being particularly stylish. Can you imagine how uncomfortable they must have been? (shudders).
Then came the 1900s! Ah, the 1900s. A true golden era for tutus. As dance styles evolved, so did the design of the tutu. That's when those iconic "Romantic" tutus took their place on the stage. These graceful, flowing masterpieces, typically knee-length, embraced the movement and elegance of ballet, allowing dancers to soar through the air with effortless grace. Talk about elegance and style! I could just imagine being in the heart of the ballet stage with those tutus. Imagine the power and control they allowed the dancers to display on stage. It made my heart swell to just think about it.
In the early 1920s, a daring new shape emerged - the "tutu de la danse." This tutu revolutionized the way we view ballet. Gone were the cumbersome, long layers; in their place came short, fluffy, layered tutus. This design emphasized the dancer’s legs, accentuating their fluidity and dynamism.
Fast forward to the late 1940s - a turning point! It's the era of the tutu we all know and love - the iconic "tutu de point" - or as some people refer to them as the “classical” tutu! Think short, stiff tutus, almost impossible to move in unless you're a trained ballerina! I have a small selection myself, perfect for twirling and, well, dancing. It's all about showing off those graceful moves and those perfectly formed lines.
These are the ones you usually see at the Royal Ballet, and they just scream "sophistication" - very 50s, wouldn't you say? Even with all my own tutus, these ones will always hold a special place in my heart, they have a timeless elegance that never goes out of fashion. Don't be fooled by its minimalist appearance, those tutus require amazing strength and flexibility! They're like little tutus with big personality, aren't they?
Of course, over time the tutu has evolved even further. Designers experiment with all sorts of interesting fabrics and cuts, pushing the boundaries of what's possible! These days, there are countless different types of tutus! You've got the frilly ones, the feathered ones, and those edgy tutus made with all sorts of modern materials. Let's not forget my favourite: those colourful, playful, whimsical tutus you can get these days! It's a rainbow on the stage!
What's fantastic about tutus is that there's one for everyone, whatever your personal style. Whether you like classic or modern, frilly or fierce, there's a tutu waiting to be discovered. The most wonderful thing about the tutu is how it transcends time, it has always had its place on the stage, whether its in those classical settings or in more contemporary modern dance settings.
I think this just goes to show what an amazing garment it is. It truly inspires the world. My friends who come from Derby and Leicester tell me all the time how inspiring these performances are. It really allows them to get inspired and to get out of the routine of the everyday. Ballet really makes a difference in so many people's lives.
You know, I like to believe that the tutu inspires the ballerina, and the ballerina, in turn, inspires the world. This is what I hope to do here, on this blog! To inspire everyone, in my little corner of the internet, to embrace their inner tutu-lover!
If you have any memories about your favourite tutus or have any tutu related thoughts, I'd love to hear them in the comments! Let's get our tutu love on.
Stay stylish!
Love,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
