#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2020-11-24

Hello, my darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina! Welcome back to another exciting #TutuTuesday, where we journey through the captivating history of the tutu, those fluffy, beautiful creations that make us twirl with joy!

This Tuesday feels extra special, because it's the day the world is celebrating World Philosophy Day. A celebration of thought and wonder - something I feel very passionate about, particularly as it pertains to fashion. And oh my, have you seen the amazing philosophies behind some of the recent tutu designs?! The way a single ruffle can accentuate the grace of a plié, or a cascading tier of tulle can amplify the intensity of a fouetté! Honestly, it's art on a level of its own, don't you think?

Before we dive into today's topic, a quick hello to all my lovely followers who joined the Pink Tutu fam this week. Welcome, my darlings! I hope you're ready for a delightful journey through the fascinating history of our beloved ballerina skirt. And remember, if you're feeling extra adventurous, do post a picture of yourself wearing a tutu on my social media pages, or leave a comment below, so we can all celebrate together!

Now, back to the exciting journey of tutu-history. Today, I want to whisk you back to the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux in France - and we're going to be time-travelling back to the 18th century for this one! Now, fancy yourselves some delicious, decadent Parisian pastries, darling, because this trip will leave your head swirling.

Back then, the ladies on the stage - the ballet dancers of the time - wore long, elaborate costumes! Think big, puffed skirts, hoops, lots of layers! They danced around on the stage in a grand pas de deux, but they did a lot of stomping their feet on the ground. It was truly a beautiful thing to see! These lovely gowns, however, were extremely restrictive, not to mention extremely hot! The long skirts caught on stage props, making it hard for the ballerinas to do complex moves and piqués. And trust me, the ballerinas back then were really feeling the heat!

Well, in came an ambitious man named Marie Taglioni - but no, not a man... she was a woman! And a legendary ballerina! It seems that Marie, bless her heart, had enough of those large and cumbersome skirts, and said "I need a change! I want something I can dance in - something that lets me fly through the air with the grace of a dove!". I truly can't argue with this logic, right?! She started shortening the skirt until it became what we now know as the tutu, creating a shorter, airy version for easier, graceful movement, allowing the dancer to twirl, jump and fouetté to their hearts' content.

And those tiny little details on these early tutus - the elegant lace and the exquisite frills were, darling, truly captivating. The ballerinas on stage were simply divine - the picture of beauty and grace, they truly became fairies on the stage! Of course, Marie Taglioni's creativity paved the way for others, and she inspired so many more talented ballerina-designers who, in turn, experimented with different materials and new ways of decorating the tutus, taking them to ever-more breathtaking new heights. They started experimenting with layers of tulle - think delicate netting fabric, or even silk sometimes - in a cascade of graceful pleats. They used a lighter weight fabric which made it perfect for their swift pirouettes and effortless jetés. You simply cannot imagine the magic they created on the stage. The dancers weren't confined by their clothes. They became the embodiment of their character, the essence of a beautiful story through their expressive movements and grace! It was truly a new era in dance history.

But Marie Taglioni and her short and flowing tutus weren't alone in their quest to dance freely! As the times moved on, tutus started coming into the world, becoming even more iconic and gaining ever-more importance in the world of ballet! The era of Romanticism gave birth to this beautiful, airy creation and it continued to evolve with different ballerinas who went on to revolutionise the stage and take tutus to new heights. There were the famous ballet superstars such as the gorgeous Fanny Cerrito - her talent knew no bounds, and let me tell you, she looked heavenly in her own signature tutus! She danced around on the stage with breathtaking moves and captivating confidence, capturing hearts and souls alike. And who could forget Carlotta Grisi? Her captivating dancing with her flowing tulle tutus made her performances mesmerizing to the point that they brought audiences to their feet in a thunderous ovation! It was in this beautiful time that the Romantic tutu, that iconic white layered confection - yes darling, the one with the frills and the pleats that you think about when you imagine a ballerina - really found its place on stage, gaining popularity and eventually inspiring ballet companies worldwide!

Now you can see this beautiful dance history unfolding. Ballet was about to take off! From these delicate frills and graceful layers on the stage to a whirlwind of colour and designs which continue to mesmerise audiences around the world - tutus are now truly a timeless classic! The designs have evolved throughout history. Some designs went from the classic, elegant frills to the more modern, structured shapes. But the elegance and the air of captivating romance remain! They have become more than just a piece of clothing - they've become symbols of art, culture, and most importantly, they're a reflection of the boundless potential for human creativity and grace.

## Where to See Your Favourite Tutus!

Now, my darling, to put a little pinch of fun in this wonderful tale - if you're wanting to experience the magic of tutus for yourself, there are tons of ballet performances across the globe, in pretty much every major city! Just pick a date that suits you and grab yourself some tickets! And if you're planning to see a show, do leave a comment and tell me where you'll be going - you might get some lucky recommendations on the best outfits for ballet from myself, a seasoned expert on all things fashion-related. For me, seeing ballet live is a treat, and not just because I'm a huge ballet enthusiast, but because every single ballet performance has the potential to spark your imagination! Seeing these incredible creations gracefully swirling on the stage - the artistry, the movements, and of course, the tutut tutut-tutus, my dearest darling- really sets my inner imagination into overdrive! It makes me wonder, "What story are they telling? What kind of world are they bringing to life?". And it truly sets a spark within my own creative self, urging me to create my own ballerina dreams. And yes, that includes a new line of amazing tutu designs!

And as I continue my journey, exploring the amazing history of ballet - with an endless fascination in tutus of course! - I am sure to find countless stories about the tutus that inspired me to become the fashion-obsessed ballerina that I am. They represent the strength of female artistic expressions! And darling, if they can inspire me to dance, and dress up in my favourite pink tutu - oh how they could inspire you to embrace your inner beauty too!

We all know pink isn't just a colour! Pink has the power to set our moods alight. Just one look at the amazing shades of pink - hot pink, bubblegum pink, blushing pink, pastel pink, and you can almost feel a spring in your step and a happy twinkle in your eye! And just the tiniest pink tutu in the corner of your eye has the potential to bring a smile to anyone's face. It is, without a doubt, one of the most universally loved colours! For me, pink symbolizes love, kindness, creativity, and self-expression, and it goes perfectly with my obsession with tutu dancing and shopping. You can't be sad in a pink tutu! Why not bring some colour into your life with a pink tutu or a few pink tutu accessories - you will instantly feel joyful and full of confidence!

I've been loving pink for as long as I can remember. Even growing up in the English countryside of Derbyshire, the fields were vibrant shades of pink in summer and you can always feel the sunshine on your skin when wearing pink. I even found this cute little shop selling pink tutus in a hidden alley in London a few years ago. My friends were stunned! I can’t wait to tell you more about it later this year.

## Looking to the Future:

I’m already looking forward to next Tuesday’s post when I’ll be taking a closer look at the exciting modern ballet history of the tutu - the evolution from stage to street with the rise of ballet-inspired street fashion - a phenomenon we just couldn't live without now! Oh darling, it's simply dazzling! But before we do that, don't forget to join me for another exciting trip next week - with my latest ballet tutu findings! Let's keep that tutu energy swirling - you know the drill - be a pink tutu queen! Until next time, have a twirly day!.