Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu-enthusiast, bringing you another delightful delve into the world of ballet and, of course, the pièce de résistance, the tutu!
Today, on this fine 28th of April, 2020, the sun is shining bright, just like the pinkest tutu imaginable (which, I might add, is the only type of tutu that really matters!). It's the perfect day to step into our time machine and whisk ourselves back to the beginning of our beloved garment's story!
As you know, dear readers, here at Pink Tutu, we adore our tutus and are committed to exploring their wonderful history. So, let's put on our dancing shoes (and maybe even a little bit of pink, eh?) and embark on a whirlwind tour through the tutu's colourful evolution!
From Humble Beginnings...Imagine, if you will, a time before the magical tulle swirled around the stage! A time when ballerinas danced in practical garments that, let's face it, lacked a certain je ne sais quoi!
Our story begins way back in the 15th century with a somewhat unglamorous outfit: long, heavy skirts. These were bulky, restrictive and frankly, a far cry from the billowing, airy tutus we adore. It must have been quite a struggle to execute a pirouette in that much fabric!
Then came the 18th century, and things started to get exciting! Dancers began shortening their skirts, showing off their movements with greater freedom and grace.
This exciting shift coincided with the arrival of Marie Camargo, a trailblazer who revolutionised the dance world by swapping those cumbersome long skirts for a knee-length skirt, showing off her incredible agility and virtuosity.
We are, of course, eternally grateful to Marie for making a step in the right direction towards the elegant and liberating tutus we know and love today.
The Rise of the Tutu: A Romantic RevolutionThe 19th century witnessed a monumental shift in the world of ballet - it was the era of romanticism, a movement filled with passion and drama. Ballet, too, embraced this energy, becoming more theatrical and emotional.
And it was in this age, in the 1830s, that the tutu, as we know it today, truly emerged! It all began with the French ballet La Sylphide.
Can you imagine the gasps of delight from the audience as a shimmering, wispy fabric danced effortlessly around the ballerina? This ethereal garment was a complete departure from the long, cumbersome skirts of yore and perfectly captured the essence of the romantic era.
These first tutus were known as the "Romantic Tutu", with a fuller skirt falling to just below the knees, and often featuring an extravagant, dramatic shape and plenty of embellishments! Imagine rows of graceful frills, elegant tiers of fabric and maybe a delicate flower or two for good measure!
Now, hold onto your hats, because we are about to travel back to another pivotal moment: the "Classical Tutu."
The Classical Tutu: An Icon of Ballet HistoryThis is where it all gets really exciting! It was during the golden age of classical ballet, in the mid-19th century, that the Classical Tutu - the tutu we still adore today - came into its own!
It was a world of beautiful shapes and graceful movements, demanding impeccable technique. And what garment was better suited to showcasing the sheer elegance and precision of classical ballet? The Classical Tutu!
These tutus, my darlings, were revolutionary! Gone was the full skirt of the Romantic Tutu, replaced with a streamlined, shorter silhouette that reached just above the knees. This sleek design accentuated the dancer’s long, graceful limbs, allowing every twist and turn to be displayed in its full glory!
Imagine: swirling layers of delicate tulle, perfectly fitted around the waist, creating an elegant cone-shaped skirt. Oh, the artistry, the sophistication, the sheer perfection!
The Classical Tutu, crafted with multiple layers of shimmering tulle, added an extra dimension to the performance - a cloud of diaphanous fabric creating an illusion of ethereal flight! Talk about en pointe style!
Now, here comes the “Short Tutu.”
The Short Tutu: A Contemporary SensationWe’ve seen a trend over recent years for a different, more contemporary design: the Short Tutu. As the name suggests, it's significantly shorter, hitting above the hip or even reaching just the waistband, and offers dancers unparalleled flexibility, freedom and even a little cheeky exposure, for those daring to push the boundaries of movement!
This shortened silhouette gives the ballerina the ultimate freedom of movement and perfectly showcases the sheer strength and athleticism of the contemporary dance style.
It might be more daring than its classical cousin, but that’s the beauty of the Short Tutu. It celebrates the evolution of dance and showcases how these beautiful garments continue to adapt to new and exciting styles!
Time to Embrace Your Inner Tutu-LoverWell, darlings, that brings us to the end of our whirlwind tour through the wonderful world of tutus! From the simple skirts of the early days to the beautiful, graceful creations we cherish today, the tutu has had a long and remarkable journey.
So, there you have it! Our ode to this most wonderful of ballet garments - a timeless piece that celebrates beauty, elegance, and the power of dance. Now, I urge you to find the perfect tutu that suits your own unique style! And, for heaven's sake, let's all embrace a little pink along the way!
Oh, and speaking of a unique style... Have you heard about Ballet Street? Oh, this is truly spectacular, I must tell you about it. Ballet street is the latest thing for those that can’t get enough of the dance. It’s literally what it sounds like - a balletic fusion of dance styles like jazz, hip hop and modern, but inspired by ballet moves, and even inspired by tutu outfits! Oh darling, you have to see a Ballet Street performance! The performers even incorporate tutu outfits with their regular street wear! It's fabulous!
Don’t forget to check back next week for another tutu-tastic installment! And, remember, a pink tutu can change your life!
See you all next Tuesday, darlings,
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
