Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing time traveller extraordinaire, ready to take you on another trip through the fascinating world of ballet tutus!
Today's #TutuTuesday is a little extra special because, well, let's be honest, every #TutuTuesday is special, but today marks the 20th of October, 2020 - a day bursting with possibilities and pink tutus! And wouldn't you know it, there's a wonderful ballet performance taking place in London this very evening! I just had to book tickets and, of course, I'll be rocking my new pink tutu, just for the occasion.
Speaking of pink tutus, darling, have you seen the glorious creations gracing the world's stages this season? The designs are so inventive, the colours are vibrant, and the craftsmanship is truly exquisite. It makes me want to jump right on stage and twirl, twirl, twirl!
But before we twirl into the latest ballet fashions, let's travel back in time, shall we? Today, we're heading to... wait for it... 1830s France!
It's the time of Marie Taglioni, the legendary ballerina, and you know what's super exciting? The tutu as we know it today wasn't even around yet!
Imagine a ballerina onstage in a long, billowing white dress that reached down to her ankles, oh how restrictive it must have been! No flowing jumps and fouettés in sight, poor dear. Thank goodness for innovation!
It wasn't until around 1840 that the tutu, in its short, tiered form, emerged onto the ballet scene, thanks to Taglioni and her creative genius! Suddenly, those dainty feet and leaps could finally be showcased for all to admire. Oh, the drama!
From the 1840s onwards, the tutu continued to evolve and, frankly, improve! In the early years, those layers of tulle, each one perfectly cut and sewn, gave the tutu a graceful fullness that seemed to almost dance with the ballerina. The soft pastel shades were just divine!
You've probably noticed, dear readers, that the 19th century was all about flowing lines and romantic elegance. Ballet costumes were often styled after mythical creatures like the ethereal nymphs. They embodied pure elegance and ethereal beauty - think flowing chiffon, wispy tulle and delicate ribbons - perfect for evoking fairy tales!
It was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that we started to see some dramatic changes in tutu design! They became tighter and fitted, highlighting the ballerina's muscles and athleticism. The costumes were shorter, and often adorned with sequins, beading and feathers – truly a dramatic and glitzy era for the tutu!
From the romantic era, where grace and tenderness reigned supreme, we saw the rise of the athletic, streamlined, modern ballet tutu, which has influenced ballet fashions to this day! We went from romantic nymphs, ethereal spirits to sleek and strong athletic goddesses!
The story of the tutu is a fascinating one! I think it truly showcases how dance has changed over time! The tutu has evolved to mirror the changes in dancing styles and performance itself! It reflects our desires and dreams - that's the power of fashion darling!
Speaking of dreams, let's hop on a train (I adore a good train journey!) and head to London, shall we? This evening, I'll be dancing alongside the wonderful performers at the Royal Opera House! What are you planning to wear this evening? Perhaps a tutu? A splash of pink? I'd love to see you rock your style!
Remember, my darlings, you don't need to be a professional ballerina to twirl around in a beautiful tutu. You can twirl in the kitchen, twirl in the park, or just twirl around your bedroom - just don't forget the pink, please!
Stay beautiful, stay bold, and never stop twirling!
See you next Tuesday!
Your tutu-loving time traveller,
Emma xoxo
P.S. Don't forget to share your #TutuTuesday photos with me on Instagram! And don't forget, www.pink-tutu.com has all the tutu-inspiration you'll need! Let's bring a touch of magic to the world, one pink tutu at a time!
