#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2020-08-18

Hiya everyone! It’s your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller Emma here, ready to take you on another journey through the history of ballet’s most fabulous garment - the tutu!

It’s a beautiful Tuesday, and I’m here, writing to you from my favourite spot in Paris. The air is buzzing with the anticipation of a new ballet season, and the shops are full of the most divine ballet-inspired clothes! This city never fails to make my heart skip a beat. Today, we’re going to talk about the period around the 18th of August in the year 2020, and guess what? There’s a very special event that coincides with our Tutu Tuesday exploration.

Before we delve into the history, let’s raise a glass (or perhaps a cup of chamomile tea!) to our amazing #TutuTuesday community! You know I wouldn’t be here without all your love, your comments, your stunning tutu pics, and your passion for everything ballet.

And now, let’s go back to 2020, where tutus were absolutely rocking the world!

Firstly, remember that day? You know, that date? 18th of August? Yep, that was World Tutu Day. Isn't that simply divine? I can practically hear you all tutus swishing and the world singing “The Swan Lake” pas de deux in perfect harmony! You all know it’s an important date – because that's when we get to embrace everything tutu.

This is the year that the Tutu Brigade held their biggest annual street party yet. They transformed Paris, turning the Place des Vosges into a breathtaking swirl of pink, powder blue, and white. Can you imagine? So many amazing dancers, from professionals to absolute beginners, came together to share their love for tutus and create memories to cherish. The ballet world was buzzing, and you bet your tutu, I was there right in the thick of it!

Let’s rewind to our Tutu Tuesday History. August 18th, 2020 was smack dab in the middle of what they called “ballet season”.

Remember the gorgeous New York City Ballet opening? Oh, the elegance of their tutus! Each dancer was a vision of grace and movement. It reminded me of all those glamorous ballets from the past – imagine what those tutus looked like back then! You can feel the legacy, right? The beauty and artfulness of the costumes just build upon the amazing creativity of generations of designers. I swear, there were enough tutus on stage to make your head spin. They used to say “fashion” was on the “cutting edge”. Well, these were the cutting edges, literally! And if I didn’t stop here and point out the perfect timing of National Tutu Week, we’d be remiss! Talk about some awesome synergy, hey? The tutus were out in force for every event and celebration, just like a wave of pink, blush and white – just beautiful! It was really the golden age of the tutu. You can’t help but get inspired when you see so many talented dancers, so beautifully dressed, bringing those classic ballets to life.

In the UK, it was the season premiere for The Royal Ballet too. A spectacular spectacle in London's Royal Opera House! We had “Sleeping Beauty”, “Giselle”… every performance was a testament to the elegance and the timeless grace of the ballet. A dance filled with classic, romantic tutus - the sort of tutus that really got people talking about the power and elegance of tutus in all their glory! There were so many performances around the world, even at La Scala in Milan. The tutus took centre stage as usual and were simply spectacular. They are simply iconic pieces of fabric, perfecting and making better the stories told by the ballet dancers.

Now, imagine if you were able to jump back in time to a bygone era. I'm talking about 1832 when Maria Taglioni, a famous dancer of the time, burst onto the stage wearing a tutu.

She was the first ballerina to transform the ballerina’s image. She ditched the long, bulky, and rather cumbersome dresses and put on a white, airy tutu that gave the world an insight into her incredible, delicate feet.

This was a groundbreaking moment. It revolutionized dance and created a style of ballet, which continues to this day!

At the time, the shorter tutu design was shockingly different, daringly new and shockingly simple. People weren’t used to seeing the beauty of women’s bodies, the dancers’ delicate movements, in such a simple way. In fact, Taglioni was often described as looking as if she were "floating" onstage!

Fast forward to the 1870s! You can’t imagine what tutus looked like in that era. We’re talking huge skirts made of several layers of tulle that swirled with graceful movement as the ballerinas danced!

Can you picture it? It was a magical sight! And even though these skirts were made of tulle, they were pretty darn bulky and heavy! I have a special section in my collection just for this type of tutu. It takes up so much room!

By the 19th century, these extravagant, huge, layered tutus were pretty much abandoned, giving way to lighter and more practical styles, emphasising agility, artistry and freedom of movement. This is where the “Romantic era” of tutus comes into play, where dancers were given a freedom and fluidity of movement we couldn’t imagine previously. Imagine moving across the stage with a lightweight tutu; it’s like you’re a wisp of a fairy in a magical forest!

Let’s take a look at one of the most iconic tutus of all time – the “Classical tutu”, which debuted in the 19th century. This iconic style sits flat across the dancer's waist with a flowing and full bottom that moves perfectly with the dancer’s every motion! We've seen it on countless stages, on countless ballerinas, making the hearts of ballet lovers across the world skip a beat. Just like the iconic white tutu, the "Classical tutu” gave ballerinas even more agility, enhancing the dancers' ability to “lift" themselves gracefully during turns, jumps, and arabesques!

Just as a time traveler in tutus, I must add: These changes were driven by the need to showcase the beauty of women’s natural movement.

Let’s journey forward in time again!

The 1920s and the 1930s saw more variations of the classical tutu. It was the perfect era to play with style and develop an even more sophisticated and versatile look!

Even as late as the 1950s, ballerinas embraced more abstract shapes, innovative designs, and of course, some magnificent and beautifully crafted tutus. Remember the famous "Sleeping Beauty"? Those magnificent tutus! They were truly the essence of the period and remain one of my most cherished pieces in my personal collection.

The tutus themselves tell their own history. This evolution of the tutu truly shows the dedication to enhancing ballet dancers' movement and to giving them a greater freedom on stage!

Can you believe it, there is an ongoing transformation, with contemporary ballerinas experimenting and pushing the boundaries of the “tutu concept”. Who would have thought! The possibilities are truly endless and ever-changing. It’s wonderful!

And today? Well, the tutu continues to reign supreme! The classical tutu, which I believe we should always adore and cherish, and those amazing modern styles we find on contemporary dancers? What a beautiful spectrum of creativity! It shows the timeless appeal of the tutu and the incredible imagination of designers! Just like fashion today, we’re seeing new takes, creative twists, modern materials, new designs that are so exciting! It makes me think of some totally outlandish tutu concepts, don't you agree? Imagine what a modern day Tutu would look like if we designed one together? A vibrant pink tulle tutu with hints of purple and glitter! Let’s put it out there into the universe – what does your Tutu look like in 2024?

Okay, everyone! Before I leave you, here’s what I love about the tutu!

It's the quintessential ballet garment and for good reason:

1. A Vision of Movement: Imagine those swirling layers of tulle – like a graceful dance, like a magical spell cast around the dancer's every move! 2. Timelessly Elegant: From its history-making debut to the iconic moments of ballet history, it's a style that's captivating and always enchanting! 3. Embraces the Beauty of Movement: This little skirt – it does SO much more than look beautiful. It gives dancers incredible grace, freedom, and agility on the stage!
4. Perfect for Fashion Statements: You already know my biggest love is for pink tutus. Let’s be honest, tutus come in a million gorgeous shades – all so incredibly captivating, bold, playful and dramatic!

So, until next #TutuTuesday, I encourage you to don your tutus, feel confident, and move through the world with all the grace of a ballerina. We’ll explore more tutu wonders on the other side. Now, remember to follow me on Instagram for more exciting updates on #pinktututuesday! See you all next week.

Keep the tutus flowing and your spirit high!

Much Love,

Emma xx

www.pink-tutu.com