Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another whirlwind adventure through the fabulous history of ballet tutus! It's a bit of a ballerina day today, actually. It’s September 8th, 2020 and you know what that means... a rather momentous occasion in tutu history - and what better day to chat about it than a glorious #TutuTuesday!
But before we delve into the depths of tutu-dom, I wanted to tell you all about my completely fabulous trip to Paris last week. It was amazing. I saw a stunning performance of Swan Lake at the Opéra Garnier - oh my goodness, the costumes were to die for! And you just have to go to the Marais, darlings, such amazing vintage shops. I snagged a beautiful 1950s silk dress that would look perfect paired with a classic pink tulle tutu, you just wait for the photos! Speaking of Paris, you’ll find the first truly revolutionary tutu appeared in Paris in 1832 – just imagine all the fashion trends swirling around this time. It must have been absolutely incredible. Oh, and guess who got to literally swirl around in Paris? Yup, this very fashionable ballerina! I absolutely adore the romance and chic of that period, and, of course, the fashion! Oh! Have I mentioned that my wardrobe is overflowing with all kinds of exciting vintage treasures?
But back to today's topic - the magical tutu! Today is a very important day for ballerinas, September 8th, 2020, the birthday of one of the most influential ballet dancers of all time, Rudolf Nureyev! A true icon who, with his effortless grace and passionate expression, brought an unforgettable style to classical ballet! Can you imagine seeing him dance live? My grandmother tells me his performances were completely mesmerising. She still has a photograph of him, all lean and elegant, taking a bow at a performance of 'Don Quixote'. I can't help but picture him in his beautiful costumes and it makes my heart flutter just thinking about it! His legacy continues to inspire ballerinas everywhere, proving that ballet is not only a demanding art form but an intensely fashionable one! It was always amazing to see how he blended power and delicacy within every move - much like a perfectly draped tutu! It makes me long to be twirling around on the stage in my very own tutu!
Speaking of which, we must delve deeper into this week’s Tutu Tuesday theme - Tutu History!
To start, what exactly is a tutu? You've seen them on countless stages, shimmering in the spotlights, but where did these fabulous pieces of dancewear come from?
Before I embark on our journey, imagine what dancing looked like before the tutu. No billowing skirts, just a few layers of fabric. Can you picture that? It feels so unfashionable! In the 17th century, you'd see female dancers performing in very long, flowing dresses, called "robs d'appareil". Think Jane Austen, but with more dance moves.
Over time, a change was coming…
When the first official ballet school, the Académie Royale de Danse, opened in 1661 in Paris (can you imagine the exciting energy?), they also began using shorter and tighter-fitting costumes that made movement a little bit easier. This was the beginning of the ballerina's liberation, as they were able to showcase their dance technique more openly, allowing for freer, more fluid movements, you see. That meant that the dancers could, dare I say express themselves!
Then, imagine this: 1790, the romantic era. Romanticism swept through art, literature and dance! And with it, a new stage in fashion – a gorgeous period indeed! Suddenly, dancers started adding soft, lighter materials like tulle and silk, all gathered and frilled. You see, they weren't interested in structured, *strict costumes, like the formal "court dress" worn in the early days, they craved flowing, soft lines to allow their movement to tell a story, creating airy visual images on stage! It was almost as if they were transforming into a wisp of smoke! Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful to be back in those days and watch these performances first hand?
But things started to change once again! We all know that dancing and fashion are inseparable! (Of course, it all starts with a gorgeous tutu, don't you agree?). By the late 1830s and the early 1840s, with the arrival of romantic ballerinas, we saw more dramatic evolutions.
You have to imagine it: Suddenly there was the explosive energy of dancers like Carlotta Grisi, performing the romantic, delicate 'La Sylphide' in 1832, the year that the first true tutu made its debut!
This amazing breakthrough in costume was created by Marie Taglioni, a famous ballerina known for her exquisite and elegant style and for transforming the classic 'Giselle'. Just the name 'La Sylphide' sparks the imagination! This new 'Romantic' tutu – not quite like the fluffy layered tutus we see today – it was an incredibly soft and weightless dress with the shortest possible skirt and lots of layers of soft white gauze – creating the illusion that these amazing dancers were practically floating, like fairies in the air! A breathtaking new direction for fashion and movement. It truly was the birth of the tutu!
Can you imagine wearing one of these amazing, whisper light tutus? It’s so important to embrace change, and I think Taglioni absolutely owned that - how empowering!
We couldn't just leave these iconic tutus behind, however, so later on, they went on to inspire many others. By the middle of the 1840s, those soft romantic designs started transforming once more. This time, a more dramatic tutu was needed – something with an incredibly rigid silhouette! They began using tulle over crinoline for a structured skirt shape. Can-can dancing at this time had a huge impact on both ballet and fashion with new silhouettes becoming so much more popular. Even now, those structured designs – made for the ballet performances we know and love today! Such an inspiring look. I love that tutus could evolve and still be as stylish and eye-catching!
So how do we dress today for the most breathtaking tutu experience? *The answer, of course, is... * a gorgeous pink tutu, *all the time! (That goes without saying! ). But here’s the thing – your tutu must tell your own story.
I want to encourage you to embrace all forms and styles of tutus. It can be your personal expression, even just for one day. Let your own flair for fashion * shine through. You could be *rocking a romantic, billowing skirt or something more *modern and edgy. Maybe you *love traditional classical and wear that soft, delicate romantic tutu, or maybe you love a structured dramatic tutu like a professional ballerina.
Let me know in the comments below what your favourite type of tutu is!
I think, in the end, tutus embody so much about women's empowerment and creativity! From their soft romantic shapes to their more structured elegance – they highlight beauty, power, and grace. It's really no surprise that they’ve become so popular, don’t you think?
And speaking of empowering! Don’t forget – the most empowering move of all? You can do anything you put your mind to, *just like my tutu journey! Remember – the world of ballet and *gorgeous tutus isn't only for ballerinas on stage – it's for every single person! You are the one wearing that incredible fashion masterpiece, so *show your confidence! *
The real tutu magic? You! Because you can dance all you like, anywhere, any time – just be sure to wear a beautiful pink tutu!
See you next week, darlings!
Until then, keep on twirling!
Lots of love,
Emma
