Hello, my darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another fabulous journey through the history of tutus! This week, I've popped the time machine into gear and landed right in the midst of 2019 - what a year! The air was electric with anticipation for a brand new decade. It's always exciting to land in a time where new beginnings are bubbling just under the surface. And speaking of beginnings, how did tutus even come about, you ask?
Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we? Imagine: it's 1830s France, and ballet is blooming. Gone are the days of cumbersome gowns. What was needed was something lighter, more flowing, something that could truly accentuate the graceful movements of the dancers. Enter the tutu! A revelation, a stroke of genius, a garment born to swirl and twirl! The first tutus, made of multiple layers of tulle, were shorter and fuller, giving a hint of what was to come.
But wait, my lovely readers! A shocking turn of events was waiting just around the corner. The 1870s! We’re at the beginning of the iconic, ultra-short ‘Romantic Tutu’! This little number revealed the dancers’ legs, truly allowing their movements to speak. I think I might faint just thinking about it! A masterpiece, quite frankly!
The 'Romantic Tutu' became a symbol of romanticism in dance, emphasizing the femininity and delicate beauty of the ballerina. Remember our fabulous Marie Taglioni, my dearest? The queen of lightness! In La Sylphide, she set the world on fire with her delicate and mesmerizing performance, making this new design a huge hit! Oh, the history we make!
Now, the 1880s! The rise of the Classical Tutu! Yes, the full-length, elegant creation we know and love. A more mature, sophisticated evolution of the Romantic Tutu! Its elegant and intricate design allowed dancers to express themselves with grace and poise, setting a new standard for elegance and beauty in ballet.
From there, tutus were truly ready to shine! Throughout the 20th century, designers kept experimenting, crafting a vast range of tutus that evolved with ballet itself. It’s a journey through time with tulle and lace! Imagine all the wonderful ballets and ballerinas that wore those beautiful tutus!
We reach the 21st Century! It’s the era of experimentation and creativity. Designers took the classic shapes and spun them into works of art! Tutu trends and designs evolved at a whirlwind pace, giving rise to an astonishing variety of looks. Think about it: long and flowing, multi-layered, layered with colour, embellished with sparkle – all the while staying true to that captivating air of grace and magic!
Okay, you might say, but what was happening in ballet back in December of 2019, Emma? Well, let’s just say the world was brimming with exciting ballet happenings! Across the globe, prestigious companies were dazzling audiences with breathtaking performances. In the US, the New York City Ballet was captivating audiences with their dynamic performances. In Russia, the Bolshoi Ballet was captivating audiences with their dazzling skills. Here in Britain, the Royal Ballet was gracing stages with iconic productions, reminding the world that Britain is the heart of the world of ballet! Oh, it’s so exciting to think about, isn’t it?
And, I was busy exploring, discovering, and travelling between various parts of the world. I have a confession - *I had to buy more pink tutus during this trip! You see, whenever I time travel, I try to visit at least one gorgeous new boutique for inspiration. There’s no shortage of shops filled with wonderful clothes, beautiful pieces that make my ballerina heart flutter! I just cannot resist - every shop is an invitation to try new trends!
Speaking of inspiration - Tutu Tuesday is all about the sheer magic of tutus. My blog, pink-tutu.com, is a celebration of tutus and ballet, the dazzling performances and the exquisite costumes. You’ll find an array of information on the history of ballet, the history of tutus, reviews of exciting performances and exciting events happening around the world. It’s my passion project to share my love of ballet and encourage everyone, everywhere to celebrate all things dance!
I absolutely adore traveling by train! You see, there is nothing more enchanting than sitting back, gazing at the scenery and reflecting on all the inspiring tutus from all the places I have visited! The train becomes a space for reflection, where I get to brainstorm, think of new ideas, and dream about tutus and future travel adventures! After all, how else will I travel from Derby to Derbyshire to the French Riviera and back to London to visit my favorite shop!
To close this blog post, darling readers, it's time for my weekly call to action: Let’s embrace the world in pink tutus! Embrace your inner ballerina! Twirl! Dance! And always remember: Every day is a Tutu Tuesday! I promise you - you will feel more graceful and empowered in a tutu, it's simply true!
Remember to check out my other Tutu Tuesdays, for more exciting and inspiring stories, trends, and experiences from the world of dance. Until next Tuesday, dear readers, have fun with the ballet! I’m going to plan my next adventure!
With twirling love, Emma xx
