#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2019-04-30

Hello my lovely pink tutu-wearing darlings! 🩰💕

It's your favourite Tuesday, that means it's Tutu Tuesday! I'm Emma, your pink tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina from Derbyshire, and I'm here to bring you another glorious trip through the fascinating history of our beloved tutu.

This week, we're turning the clock back to April 30th, 2019. Today, in the dazzling, swirling world of ballet, is filled with performances across the globe. In London, the Royal Ballet is enchanting audiences at the Royal Opera House with their captivating rendition of "Giselle". While over in New York, the New York City Ballet is stirring hearts with their breathtaking interpretation of "Swan Lake". And let's not forget the countless other stunning performances happening all over the world, all thanks to the incredible magic of ballet.

And what’s more iconic than a dancer swirling around the stage in a beautiful tutu? That magical feeling is something special! I remember watching “Swan Lake” at Sadler’s Wells Theatre as a little girl, mesmerised by the grace and elegance of the dancers. A perfect mix of the ballerina's passion and the ballerina's wardrobe, it’s something I never tire of seeing.

Now, before I tell you a fascinating tidbit of tutu history for this Tuesday, let's hop aboard our time machine, or in my case, a train to a chic Parisian boutique (because every girl needs a fabulous Parisian adventure!), to rewind the clock and explore the evolution of this sartorial ballet staple!

The story of the tutu is truly an enchanting journey that takes us all the way back to the 18th century. Imagine, no fluffy tulle skirts yet! Back then, dancers wore rather long, voluminous skirts that really restricted their movement. Can you picture trying to dance in layers and layers of fabric? It would feel like a big, heavy cloak dragging around! Not very elegant, huh?

However, in the 1830s, things began to change thanks to the French ballerina Marie Taglioni, whose performance in the ballet "La Sylphide" ignited a sartorial revolution. The revolutionary detail? A shortened, light and airy skirt, much like a dress, that showed off the dancers' grace and freedom of movement. The story goes that, feeling restricted in her skirt, Marie herself shortened it for a rehearsal and the rest is history. The "Sylphide" tutu is born, a game changer, and a much welcomed advancement.

These early tutus were simple and practical, mainly featuring cotton or silk fabric gathered into layers and gathered around the waist. It still had layers and some stiffness but it was definitely much lighter and easier to work with, with a beautiful "bell shape". We owe a lot to Marie Taglioni – thanks, Marie!

But the evolution of the tutu didn't stop there. The romantic ballet era saw an increase in tulle in designs. This revolutionary new material allowed for more layers and added drama and flouncy fun. Designers experimented with more intricate designs and decorations, bringing a whole new level of sophistication to the stage.

Moving into the mid-19th century, ballet took a step in a more classically focused direction. With the growth of the “classical” style, we see a move toward what we might call “the traditional” tutu. Now dancers were wearing stiffer skirts.

There are a few key varieties here that have endured throughout the last century:

• The Romantic Tutu: These are typically very lightweight and simple, created with multiple layers of thin tulle, creating a floating, almost wispy appearance. These tutus are often associated with ethereal and delicate characters and performances. This look might suit the fairy character in "The Sleeping Beauty", the "Sylphides" ballet or the title role in “La Sylphide”. A pretty, dainty look!
• The Classical Tutu: The star of the classical era is a very stiff and shorter, cone-shaped tutu, with tiers and layers of stiff netting. The shorter, “pancake” design and stiffer tulle creates a dramatic, wide and “pointed” design. The "Classical Tutu", in all its dramatic glory, is the epitome of classical ballet. We see these stunning designs for a range of leading roles in the ballets of Petipa. From “The Sleeping Beauty" to "Swan Lake”, this style has been favoured by choreographers throughout the ballet’s history.
• The 'Cagole' Tutu: Less commonly seen, this tutu has a slightly longer skirt but a similarly stiff structure with a large amount of gathered tulle to create an almost full, billowing design.

The history of the tutu has seen an impressive variety, adapting to the demands and style of different ballerinas and choreographers. In fact, many famous ballet dancers over the years have influenced the evolution of the tutu - I’m not sure the history of fashion would be the same without them! It is remarkable that despite all the changes throughout history, one thing has stayed constant. That undeniable and captivating feeling a ballerina creates on stage with a fabulous tutu on is something quite magical.

Today, with its incredible variety of designs, the tutu remains an iconic symbol of elegance and grace. From the classic, cone-shaped design to the ethereal romantic look and even variations for modern contemporary dance pieces, the tutu is a ballet must-have that inspires the creativity of both choreographers and audiences alike! And, let's be honest, there's nothing more beautiful than a ballerina gliding across the stage in a billowing pink tutu, captivating hearts and leaving the audience spellbound.

My dear pink tutu lovers, as always, I’d like to hear from you! What's your favourite style of tutu? What makes a tutu magical for you? Share your tutu-licious stories in the comments section below!

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Remember, no matter your age or style, it’s never too late to explore the world of dance and join the wonderful ballet family! Until next week, let’s keep that pink tutu dream alive!

Yours always,

Emma
❤️🩰👑