#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2019-03-26

Hello, my lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back for another Tutu Tuesday adventure! It's so wonderful to be with you all again. Today we're venturing deep into the enchanting world of tutus, exploring the history of these whimsical creations that have graced stages and enchanted audiences for centuries. Buckle up, my darlings, because we're embarking on a truly magical journey.

Now, I must admit, I'm feeling particularly inspired today! The sunshine is filtering through the leaves, painting the world in a soft pink hue (oh, how I adore that colour!) and the air is filled with the sound of birdsong. Such a delightful morning calls for a trip to the theatre! You know, that place of dreams where tutus are worn with pride and every pirouette tells a story.

Before I transport you through time with this delightful little story, I must let you in on a little secret - I am travelling today via a magical train ticket from my dear home in Derbyshire to a bustling city that vibrates with the joy of the stage. My journey takes me to Paris - ah, la ville d'amour! - and you know what that means? It means fashion! And the origins of tutus! This beautiful city is like a fountain of inspiration.

But, my dear readers, I've learned from experience that tutus aren't just beautiful pieces of fabric that swirl around you like a pink cloud, no! These are garments rich in history. It all began in the 1500s, when Italian Renaissance women embraced the wonders of ballet. This period saw the introduction of the farthingale - a kind of large, bell-shaped underskirt worn to give a wide, billowing look, not unlike our modern tutus in its fullness, just without the dazzling layers of tulle.

Then, in the 1700s, the ballet world took a dramatic turn, and I do mean dramatic! Imagine the elegance of the French Court Ballet! You're talking intricate patterns, rich fabrics, and dancing in pointed shoes. This era saw the introduction of a new garment, the " danse haute " (which is French for "high dance", in case you didn't know!), a more elegant, simple costume that eventually evolved into what we now know and love - the ballet tutu!

Now, let's skip ahead a few decades to the early 19th century and get into some proper history, ladies! It's time to discuss the queen of dancewear – the tutu! Can you believe it? These airy masterpieces are quite new! Marie Taglioni, a renowned ballerina of the 1830s, is credited with revolutionizing ballet costuming, as she introduced the Romantic Tutu with its flowing, whimsical layers. This, my dears, marked a defining moment!

Let's talk about this iconic tutu for a minute: It was lighter than anything worn before, and with its floaty silks and gossamer tulle, it gave an illusion of weightlessness, letting dancers achieve movements unseen before! These tutus gave the ballets a new sense of poetry and drama. The "Romantic Era" of Ballet was well and truly born!

Fast forward to the 1940s - a period of immense style evolution, as fashion responded to changing cultural trends. The tutus were reimagined again, and this time we saw the emergence of the Classical Tutu. The "Bell Tutu" or “ Paganella Tutu”, as it’s also called, retained the fluffy fullness of the Romantics but also introduced a structured, short circular shape, a bit like a princess’s ball gown.

You know I love shopping, so it’s no surprise that the Tutu had many beautiful alterations - all very fashionable! Imagine, ladies, we even saw the "Pancake" Tutu (don’t let the name put you off!), with its flat, structured skirt; the “ Platter Tutu ”, which has a straight silhouette, giving an almost circular, flat design which was super stylish; and the **“ Powder Puff ”, with its fluffy, cloud-like skirt, a real classic for the more extravagant, grand, and beautiful performances! We've even seen tutus in different lengths, from the dramatic long tutu, reaching down to the dancer's toes, to the iconic knee-length tutu which gives that magical illusion of effortless flight.

Oh my goodness, how much more information about tutus can you get! Just thinking about these graceful garments fills me with such excitement! Every stitch and layer is a testament to creativity, dedication and artistic passion. The story of the Tutu, my friends, is a testament to the constant evolution of art, fashion and the beautiful way they come together to tell the stories we hold dear.

What a story, right, my lovelies? This is just a glimpse into the fascinating world of the tutu. Next week, we'll dive deeper into the fascinating evolution of tutus, taking you to the iconic dancers who made these beautiful garments even more legendary! Keep an eye out for my #TutuTuesday posts each week. You can follow along with my latest ballet adventures, fashion finds, and all things tutu at my website, www.pink-tutu.com.

Until next time, be sure to embrace your inner ballerina and always remember, "there's no wrong way to wear a tutu!"

P.S. Don’t forget to check out what’s going on in the ballet world! Today is March 26th, a date full of possibilities! Let's take this opportunity to support the arts, celebrate creativity and embrace the joy of dance, all while twirling in our lovely pink tutus. Until next time!