#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2019-07-02

Hiya darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where all things pink and twirly are celebrated! Today, we're going on another whimsical journey through time, taking a peek at the fabulous history of the ballet tutu, which – as you know – is my absolute favourite part of any ballet outfit! 💖

Before we begin, did you know that it’s 2nd July 2019 today? That’s just four days away from the World Tutu Day, which – just so you know – was invented in 2014 to honour these glorious pieces of dancewear!

So put on your most sparkly tutu, grab a cuppa (I've got a lovely raspberry and rose one brewing) and settle in. We've got a lot to cover!

It might surprise you, darlings, to learn that the story of the ballet tutu isn't as long as you might think. It didn't just suddenly spring up on stage! Nope, the humble tutu has its roots firmly planted in, of all things, fashion.

Imagine this, darlings – 16th century France, with all its luxurious elegance. The ladies were living in big, billowing skirts. But then, along comes the 18th century, and with it, a revolution in fashion! Fashion plates and drawings reveal ladies wearing lighter, tighter outfits, and shorter, skimming-the-floor skirts. Amazing! It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine that these shorter skirts caught the eye of some forward-thinking choreographers at the Paris Opera.

These visionaries thought, darling, "Why shouldn’t ballerinas ditch their heavy gowns and showcase their graceful moves in shorter skirts? That's what a *tutu* became - a *symphony of motion! *Just look at these sketches... You know, we're talking history here. That’s the magic of ballet, it can literally transform the way we see and understand clothing!

Moving on to the 19th century, darlings! Think of the Romantic era - with its passion for emotions, beauty, and – yes! - freedom! And the tutu, darlings, was born!

We see the birth of the tutu in its most familiar form – the romantic tutu. Flowing, airy, and ethereal, it just floats with every move, emphasizing the graceful lines and airy elegance of ballet. And wouldn’t you know it? Ballet dancers in the Romantic period just loved showing off their long, **elegant legs! Now who can blame them?

But it's not all about beauty, my darlings. Think of Maria Taglioni’s La Sylphide – the *first tutu-wearing *ballet and it changed the face of *dance forever! Talk about a style icon! You can see it, darling, just by imagining Taglioni, wearing her tutu, so full of movement and life, showing the world the new definition of what a ballerina* **could be! That’s the magic of fashion!

Time marches on, darlings, and so do fashion trends! While the romantic tutu became synonymous with ballet, it was by no means the only style! Think about it: The tutu, ever since that* *time, has been adapted, *reimagined, *and *refashioned to fit different aesthetics and stories!

In the 21st century, my darlings, the tutu remains a vital element of ballet. We’re talking classics like Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and the list just goes on and on. Each with their specific tutus, designed to fit the story. It's about a collaboration between costume design and the movement, adding that little bit extra. I mean, who doesn’t love a sparkly, whimsical, and utterly *beautiful tutu?*

Now, let’s take a look at some of the most* *influential *and *amazing **tutus, as worn by iconic ballerinas throughout the centuries.

Have a magical, sparkling, and fun *week, darlings, and remember... you *are gorgeous!

Until next Tutu Tuesday! 💖

Emma x

Post-script: *Don’t forget! It’s the fourth of July, that means it’s *Independence *Day in the United States ! This means fashion is huge,* *especially in *New York City. You know, a pink tutu is perfect for the Fourth of July picnic! Just imagine all those people, talking, and laughing, with you and your pink tutu! I *really *need to go there! It's time to start *packing my bags! *Catch you *next week!