Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here, bringing you another instalment of my weekly Ballet Tutu History blog! This week I’m taking a trip down memory lane (and by memory lane I mean the incredible archives of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the most fabulous ballet city on Earth!)
You won’t believe this, but it's June 23rd, 2020, and you know what that means?
… The New York City Ballet is starting its Summer Season! (SQUEE!)
How lucky am I to be here right now, just a few days before opening night? I simply cannot wait to catch Swan Lake. You can't beat the majesty of the choreography and those incredible white tutus!
This fabulous tutu, or tutu-vellous, if you will (hehe!) has its own captivating history. Today, I’m going to tell you all about the captivating story of this must-have garment in every ballerina’s wardrobe…
A Very Brief History of the Tutu
Before we start, have you ever wondered why it’s called a "tutu"? It's a bit of a mystery, actually. One theory says it's a playful French slang word for “dress." Now, whether you think it’s French or Italian, the tutu has been twirling its way into ballet history for ages!
It All Started with The Romantic Ballet!
We’re talking 19th century France, a time when tutus first came to the stage! Can you believe the earliest versions were essentially skirts sewn with multiple layers of stiff material to achieve the bell shape we know and love? It was all about that romantic volume… picture it, ladies: floaty tulle, wispy silk… a little bit of magic in the air! The Romantic Ballet is all about expressing passion and love, and those early tutus captured it perfectly!
The ‘Pagnol’ is Where It’s At!
The early tutu became known as the ‘Pagnol’ and, trust me, it was truly groundbreaking! While the original Pagnol tutus looked like the full, romantic skirts you see in old ballet illustrations, they became more structured in the late 19th century. You can imagine them, they were like frilly layers of tulle cascading down. Those layered designs meant there were so many beautiful variations to showcase, from flowing to dramatic. Think Giselle, with those stunning, fluid movements!
The Tutu Got More Structured… Then It Went Even Further!
As ballet evolved, so did the tutu. The *‘Romantic tutu’ became known for being made of layers of tulle, the softer, floaty material that’s the foundation of today's tutu. It allowed ballerinas to achieve incredible lightness and aerial movement… simply divine!
Of course, if there’s a more structured, fitted tutu out there, you need to talk about the ‘Classical tutu’! We all know the classical ballerina’s look is a streamlined, structured silhouette that's incredibly beautiful, especially the bodice that perfectly hugs the figure! The *‘Classical tutu’, which came about in the early 20th century, really allowed for a different kind of graceful, elegant beauty.
And let’s not forget the ‘Russian Tutu’ – my personal favourite! Imagine the incredible detail… those precise, intricate patterns with lots of layers of fabric. You'll usually see the ‘Russian tutu’ in ballets like Sleeping Beauty *and *Swan Lake **and it's truly a masterpiece!
But wait, there’s more!
There’s more than just ‘Pagnol’, ‘Romantic’, and ‘Classical’ tutus, of course. From ‘Romantic’ tutus, we got the ‘Ballet tutus’, also known as the ‘tutu à la russe’. With these ‘Ballet tutus’ and ‘Classical tutus’, there’s this amazing combination of structure and graceful volume! But you’ll never see the ‘Ballet tutu’ worn for anything but ballet. I wouldn’t suggest wearing it on the street… the wind could cause some rather amusing, albeit potentially dangerous, problems!
Modern tutus… Oh so Chic!
For modern ballet, we see lots of more modern interpretations and experimental forms, such as the ‘contemporary tutu’. And sometimes, even just no tutu at all! Yes, some ballets completely discard the tutu entirely… which just makes everything feel different and fresh.
Why are we still talking about the tutu?
In our day, the tutu is a timeless symbol of femininity, elegance, and of course… magic! Whether you're a ballerina, a ballet enthusiast, or even someone who’s just discovered the wonder of ballet for the first time, the tutu is just something that fills us with inspiration and imagination…it's a tiny bit of beauty and fairytale right there on stage!
Shopping for My Own Tutu!
Here at Pink-Tutu HQ, I've been in my local ballet studio browsing their tutus! This is not for class… or the stage… oh no, darlings. This one is for my wardrobe… for shopping!
Yes, I know, it’s never too early for Tutu Season! You never know when a cute tutu will call out to you… And a girl can never have too many. It's a truth universally acknowledged. I'm a huge fan of ‘tutus à la russe’, with those incredibly intricate details… So of course, I’m buying a brand new one today.
After all, a great tutu is the ultimate feminine statement! But not all tutus are created equal… so be sure to find one that’s right for you. A shorter, tiered ‘tutu à la russe’, perhaps? Or a classical ‘Classical tutu’ with some beautiful, bold details? Just like when you choose a gorgeous pink dress for the night, the best tutu is one that makes you feel absolutely confident.
Have you been out tutu-shopping lately? Do let me know what you got!
Let’s all agree: Tutus forever!
This has been my tutu story for this week… Stay tuned next Tuesday, for another Tutu Tuesday, with Emma.
You’ll find me in my pink tutu and ballet flats on social media @EmmaPinkTutu… Come join me, dear reader, in the pink-tutu-fied wonderland!
