Hiya, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away on a journey through the fascinating history of ballet tutus! Today's #TutuTuesday finds me right here in the heart of the ballet world, New York City, where the tutu is still a symbol of elegance and grace, and trust me, there's nothing more captivating than seeing a ballerina twirling on stage in a fluffy confection of tulle.
Time Traveling Tuesdays: September 24th, 2019
It’s a sweltering September afternoon here in New York, the air buzzing with the electric energy of the city that never sleeps. Just outside my hotel window, I can hear the rumble of yellow cabs and the joyous cries of street performers – a true symphony of urban life. And to think, today, 2019, marks the year that a certain someone (you guessed it – me) discovered that the perfect excuse for time-travel was tucked neatly within the pleats of a classic tutu!
Let’s dive straight into it, shall we?
Tutu Beginnings: From the Court to the Stage
As always, before we get lost in the glitz and glam of the modern tutu, we must travel back to the humble origins of this dance icon. We're going right back to 16th Century Italy, where, if you can believe it, tutus were nothing but an elaborate pair of panniers! (Talk about a heavy dress for a light dance move!) You see, those bulky contraptions were all the rage in aristocratic circles and gave the skirt of the ladies' gowns an alluring wide shape – it was the "poofy-skirt" look, but for royalty. They were about as elegant as an oversized wedding cake.
However, in 1832, Marie Taglioni, a famous ballerina (and true icon!), made history by creating the tutu as we know it. Forget the stiff, heavy hoops of the pannier era. Marie embraced the simplicity of a short, loose skirt. Gone were the cumbersome dresses of the past, replaced with a flowing, diaphanous silhouette that was both elegant and practical for the demanding demands of ballet. This marked a revolutionary moment in the history of dance – not only was the tutu revolutionary in how it allowed ballerinas to move freely but it also transformed ballet itself, pushing the boundaries of movement and expressing elegance in a completely new way. You can practically hear the audience murmuring with delight as her graceful movements defied gravity and embodied the very essence of femininity.
From White to Colour: A Rainbow of Twirling
At first, the classic tutu remained almost exclusively white. It represented purity and innocence, and its simplicity served as a beautiful contrast to the vibrancy of a ballerina's movement. But as time progressed, colours, embellishments, and patterns were introduced, taking the tutu from a timeless symbol of grace to a dazzling showcase of creativity and theatrical artistry. It allowed dancers to portray their characters with greater nuance, whether it be a mischievous sprite dancing in shimmering emerald green or a regal swan in a soft, ethereal white.
The 'Roman' Romance and the 'Romantic' Tutu
As I journey further down the chronological path, I found myself transported to a fascinating ballet tradition – The Romantic Tutu. These iconic tutus, featuring cascading tiers of fabric that appeared like ethereal clouds, gave dancers the look of weightlessness and were associated with dreamy ballets like "Giselle," which premiered in 1841, featuring the classic romantic tutu (it makes you dream, doesn't it?). The lightweight fabric allowed dancers to explore movements with incredible freedom, like graceful leaps and ethereal floats that embodied the magical qualities of the romantic era.
And can we talk about the "La Sylphide" tutu for a moment? It's basically a work of art - featuring layers and layers of flowing, white tulle and often incorporating small, delicate embellishments, this iconic look perfectly reflected the whimsical, enchanting nature of the ballet.
The rise of these "Romantic" ballets, which often told fantastical tales and showcased the graceful fluidity of dancers in white tutus, became one of the cornerstones of the development of the tutu we know and love. They created a strong visual representation of ethereal beauty that captured audiences all across the world.
From "Tutu to Tulle:" The Classic Evolution
However, as ballet styles and the dance world itself evolved, so did the iconic tutu! The 'classic' style of the romantic tutu fell away and a new design came into vogue: the tutu "en pointe" (not in point, although some ballerinas certainly are in point when they wear their gorgeous tutus, but that's for a whole other blog post!). This classic style we see today features shorter skirts and even more graceful lines. This is the style you see with the gorgeous tutus that can spin beautifully – it's all about achieving a sleek, elegant silhouette for those stunning dance moves.
Imagine, dancers in vibrant colours twirling with such grace, perfectly balanced and demonstrating such impressive artistry! From pa de deux routines that epitomise love and desire to the corps de ballet - the intricate unity of a group of dancers performing as a single organism – these iconic tutus have captivated audiences and helped to cement ballet as a universally beloved art form. Just think – these gorgeous tutus are woven with centuries of artistry and the passion of incredible ballerinas – it’s truly breathtaking! And to this day, even in 2019, ballerinas like Misty Copeland are rocking those classic tutu looks - she’s truly a shining star, embodying the sheer elegance and beauty of the tutu in the 21st century. I adore how she champions classic tutu style and incorporates it into her diverse range of performances - a true inspiration for aspiring dancers and fashion lovers around the world!
The tutu is not just an outfit - it's a masterpiece, an essential part of ballet history! And don't forget: it's all about finding the perfect tutu to suit your individual style!
Tutus Today: A Blast of Colour and Creative Flair
Oh my goodness, darling, I have the best news - we are in an amazing tutu-renaissance, and let me tell you, it’s been an explosion of colour and creativity in recent years! From playful tulle numbers to bolder, edgy styles – contemporary ballet dancers are expressing themselves with breathtaking artistry in an astounding diversity of tutu styles! There’s so much beauty to be found in a tutu. They come in so many colours, and a little bit of sparkle never hurt anyone! And let's face it, what’s more enchanting than a ballerina performing a ballet with a little added sparkle in her tutu?
I recently had a little tutu shopping spree (and as a time traveller, trust me, the tutu styles change rapidly over the centuries!). You wouldn't believe some of the modern tutus I've found - asymmetrical designs that create dramatic silhouettes, sleek modern fabrics for those minimalist ballerinas and bold, abstract designs with an edgy touch! I just had to get my hands on a stunning vintage tulle tutu for my next time-traveling adventure. It was in the most exquisite shade of pink, oh yes, you know it – a real time-traveling dream! (You can check out my latest tutu finds on www.pink-tutu.com – I've been posting photos of my favourite new tutus, and, well, let’s just say that I'm practically living my best life in these glamorous tutus!)
And let's talk about Ballet Street. It's a growing movement of passionate ballet dancers taking their grace and artistry into the streets (often with colourful and playful tutus!). It’s all about spreading the love of ballet and using dance as a force of joy. If you have ever been to a city and seen a flash mob performing a beautiful ballet sequence, they might be a ballet street crew! They show everyone that ballet isn't just for theatres or for specific dancers! They use movement to express joy and happiness in their beautiful and dramatic ways!
Where Next? The Future of the Tutu
Now, we're not just stuck in the past, are we? Because this brings us to a very important topic. It’s no secret that ballet, like any other form of art, must keep up with the changing times. And we see new contemporary dance forms merging with the traditional. This brings with it exciting new ideas, innovative fabrics and textures, and daring, artistic expressions – we're talking about tutus that go beyond the traditional and make bold statements! And can I just say - I adore it! We see modern choreographers creating their own interpretations of the tutu - it's a ballet revolution, and I can’t wait to see what it will be in the future!
I can almost feel a whisper from the future telling me that tutus are going to evolve into even more vibrant and expressive forms! From new designs and innovations in fabric technology to dazzling new applications of LED lighting and technology – I'm practically hopping on one leg in anticipation of the next chapter!
As I wrap up another wonderful #TutuTuesday, I leave you with this – The tutu, no matter what it looks like, represents a symbol of art, grace, and sheer joy – it’s the embodiment of that childlike sense of wonder and boundless energy. It invites us to embrace our creativity, our individuality and dance with joy, confidence, and unwavering spirit.
Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog, www.pink-tutu.com, for all your #TutuTuesday fashion and history updates. I have a whole bunch of exciting tutus waiting for me in different eras – so you better believe I’ll be sharing my time-travelling experiences and my very own tutu collection (because we all need a touch of sparkle in our lives, don't we?) And if you want to share your favourite tutu finds and adventures, feel free to comment and tag me #PinkTutu - let's make this tutu-topia! Until next Tuesday, lovelies!
P.S. Did you know that September 24th, 2019 is National BREAD* day? Oh my goodness, bread with a lovely cup of tea – what could be better! What a perfect excuse to put on my new, sparkly pink tutu (that's right, I'm celebrating my love of both food and tutus!) and take a lovely little stroll to find the most delectable fresh-baked loaves in the whole city! And who knows, maybe I’ll even encounter a few ballerina-enthusiasts on my breadtastic adventure! Stay tuned for photos! mwah
