Hello my darling darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus are the only rule, and pink is the only colour that matters. It's Tuesday, which means it's time to take a spin through time with your favourite tutu-loving time-traveller. Today, we're skipping back to 2019-08-27, a date ripe with cultural gems and (you guessed it!) some absolutely sensational tutus!
Now, you might think that tutus have been around forever, that they were birthed from the mists of time with the very first graceful twirl. But, as any true tutu enthusiast knows, even our favourite fluffy friends have a history – and what a story it is!
This week, my time-travelling escapade took me straight to the heart of New York City, a metropolis bursting with energy, ambition, and, yes, even tutu-wearing ladies. It was 2019-08-27, and the air crackled with the excitement of an upcoming show. What could it be? Well, you wouldn’t believe it – a grand gala performance by the New York City Ballet! My darling, they call it “The Big Apple” for a reason, and the theatre was buzzing with fabulous, glamorous fashion.
Now, I was a bit disappointed that I hadn't managed to time travel right into a performance. I'd love to have taken in some elegant moves and beautiful choreography. I had a bit of a dance myself though, gliding across the foyer as I enjoyed the pre-performance buzz. Honestly, the city was alive with colour, fashion and the feeling that anything is possible, and this was mirrored by the vibrant atmosphere around the New York City Ballet.
So I sat in the foyer and, let's be honest, my focus was squarely on those stunning tutus, like a child at a sweet shop! These creations were works of art, a kaleidoscope of feathers, sparkles, and gossamer tulle – perfectly embodying the energy and beauty of dance.
And you know, darling, this is when I started thinking. Tut-t-tut-tut-tutu… there’s a reason these creations are so breathtakingly beautiful and capture our imagination. Why do we love tutus so much?
Our story of tutus starts right at the beginning of the ballet world – well, as much as we know. It’s time for another little trip in our imaginary time machine, this time to 1841 in Paris. Imagine, a Parisian salon, overflowing with artistic energy and beautiful ladies. Now, let's think of our protagonist – Maria Taglioni – an Italian ballerina who had taken Paris by storm. A vision of grace, lightness and elegance, Taglioni was a revolutionary dancer, redefining what we think of as ballet. She wanted a new kind of costume, one that reflected her artistry, one that showcased her movement with breathtaking lightness and elegance. So Maria worked with her designers to create the tutu, which they called tulle – it is a name we still recognise today. They did away with the tight, cumbersome costumes that previous generations had worn. It was a groundbreaking invention, quite revolutionary! Imagine, going from layers of fabric, heavy skirts, and a somewhat theatrical look to light, delicate tulle - revolutionary! She created a fashion statement, but more than that, a vision of elegance that took centre stage.
A vision that took the world by storm, with Parisian fashion quickly emulating Taglioni’s elegance. In a world of bustle, this vision of effortless grace became something special, it gave a whole new vision for what female power and beauty could look like. That is what a tutu can do – transform what it means to move, how we see ourselves, and even, I dare say, how we think!
It wasn't only about the design, my darling, it was also about meaning. With its airy, graceful, shape it allowed women a new kind of freedom of movement. This, at the time, was very empowering. Imagine yourself in heavy, corseted gowns; Taglioni's revolutionary dance with a tutu was like breaking free! The stage belonged to her and she owned it with each stunning movement!
Now, we move onwards, through the decades. The tutu continues to evolve. Each designer, each era brings a fresh perspective, keeping it in vogue while staying true to its heritage.
Do you remember the* "Romantic tutu"?* A vision of loveliness, often white, flowing, with several layers, designed to highlight a ballerina's fluid movement. And who could forget the* "Classical tutu"?* That perfectly symmetrical skirt with just one layer – it takes so much skill and finesse to make that skirt stand up, imagine the effort involved!* Then there's the "Neoclassical tutu", which blends elements of both forms, using a variation of layers and a contemporary style - it can look amazing when styled! Every tutu, a story in itself. It's about creating fashion and a world of visual beauty but also a story about the strength and grace of dance itself, and the women who embody its spirit.
And speaking of embodiment, what are you thinking when you see a dancer twirling in her tutu? I believe there's an emotion that comes with it - we see strength, elegance, and that's how dancers use it to move, express themselves, and touch their audience.
Back in my own timeline, it’s time for my usual Tuesday night routine: a ballet class in London's West End! Yes, I make time for class no matter where I go in the world. There's no time-travelling, just the beautiful tradition of ballet. The warm up exercises, the elegant stretches, the grace of every step – there is so much magic in the way it unites us in a beautiful dance with history. It's wonderful how dance transcends time, bringing people together, across generations and countries.
So, what's on for today's #TutuTuesday, you ask? My darling, I am so excited to tell you. A brand new ballet performance at Covent Garden is coming soon – a tale set in my own hometown of Derbyshire, inspired by folklore. What a treat to see it with the grand set and costumes that have made Covent Garden such a legendary theatre. You can bet, I'm going to try and find the best outfit and, of course, it'll be pink and a fabulous tutu!
Oh, darling, do make sure to stay tuned next Tuesday for another exciting trip through time. Until then, stay fashionable, wear your favourite pink tutu with pride and don’t forget to share your ballet love! Let’s bring more pink tutus to the world, one fabulous spin at a time. #TutuTuesday
Yours in pirouettes and pretty pink,
Emma xo
www.pink-tutu.com
