Hello my darling tutu lovers! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you away on another time-traveling adventure through the captivating history of the ballet tutu!
Today, we're hopping on the time train, setting our sights on a very special date – 9th February 2021. Buckle up, my lovelies, it’s going to be a whirlwind tour through fashion, history, and of course, those glorious tutus!
Before we embark on our journey, let me confess that I have a rather pressing need to fill you in on my most recent adventures. You see, last weekend I was performing in the most fabulous production of ‘Swan Lake’ at the beautiful Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Now, that's what I call a true ballerina’s dream! It was simply breathtaking, from the exquisite costumes (they really did have a lovely collection of tutus, I must say!) to the heart-stopping performance. And I don't just say that because I was in it! 😉 I am not boasting at all! The experience had me floating on cloud nine (well, not quite nine, more like eight, after the final pirouette!). It was after my performance, whilst sipping tea in the luxurious lounge, I was inspired to share with you, my precious pink tutu tribe, about this particular date in time - 9th February 2021.
The world had gone through quite the rollercoaster year! Back in 2021, everyone was still dealing with a global pandemic and things were a bit…well, interesting. People were stuck at home a lot and online shopping was, shall we say, thriving. It felt like a perfect time to dust off our tutu-clad wardrobes and make a statement. It’s times like these that remind us to embrace the magic of self-expression through fashion. It reminds us to never lose our sense of whimsy!
But enough about me, let's dive into the exciting world of tutus in the year 2021!
Firstly, let me tell you a secret (that is, a secret to those of you not aware): Tutu designs haven't always been quite so “tutu-fied” (that is a terrible pun I know!). You’ll see why in a minute!
Fast forward back to 2021 – now, the world of ballet tutus was already incredibly diverse and dazzling, from the traditional, ethereal Romantic tutu with its soft, layered tulle to the bolder, more sculptural Neoclassical designs. Each one held its own unique beauty, adding another layer to the breathtaking art of ballet. But don’t worry – the classical romantic tutu was still going strong! There was a bit of a resurgence in the style, with many dancers choosing to wear it during performances. You see, my lovelies, there’s no going back – the graceful, elegant line of the Romantic tutu is always going to be iconic!
The Evolution of The Tutu
You see, darling, to properly understand the history of the ballet tutu, we need to go back, back, back in time, to a time even before those stunning romantic tutus. I’m talking way back to the early days of ballet. Now, my sweethearts, if you thought tutus have always been the centre stage stars of ballet, you'd be wrong. Well, maybe not quite WRONG, but slightly amiss!
The early dancers actually wore a style called a 'skirt-tutu', a lovely layered and gathered garment – more of a voluminous skirt. Now, you have to remember, it was a VERY different world. They didn’t even have *toilettes! Oh no, this was long before all those glitzy ‘toilettes’ became commonplace. But we’re talking tutu history and that is another blog post for another day, right?!
As ballet began to develop, the designs began to become even more elaborate. Imagine long, trailing robes, gowns, even trousers – how glamorous! (but how practical?! ) But as dance movements began to get increasingly complex, well, skirts just didn't work for them anymore. I bet the dancers must have felt rather hampered by those grand robes. It’s hard enough to move gracefully in a modern tutu. But imagine a multilayered heavy gown. And we’re not talking floaty materials, no no, this was silks and satin. Those fabrics would have been impossible! But the changes are what paved the way for the evolution of our wonderful tutu!
So what’s the connection between our romantic tutu and these earlier designs? It all goes back to the great romantic tutu’s pioneer - the extraordinary, beautiful Marie Taglioni. She was a true superstar back in the mid-nineteenth century! She was one of the first to don the romantic tutu, showcasing the true beauty of the female form, and ushering in a new era of ballerina brilliance. She was absolutely iconic and I still admire her greatly. Imagine, dear friends, dancing in an elegant tutu that flows like a graceful cloud as you spin and twirl, how amazing it must have felt. I wonder what would it be like to have been there, in the 19th century with those lovely romantic tutus!
Let’s fast forward again to the year 2021.
What happened then? What could the great designers possibly come up with? Well, some of the more experimental designers used different kinds of fabrics! Think tulle, but heavier and stiffer! You see, the point here was to accentuate every movement and even allow the ballerina to hold certain postures. In essence, the tutul could now become an extension of the ballerina's body and its expression. Imagine a tutu not being a mere costume - imagine the tutu being the art itself! But again, this was all thanks to the creative designers, for keeping up with the evolution of dance and taking these delicate, sometimes barely there fabrics to their very limits! This evolution in design made tutu even more stunning! They are works of art. Each tulle stitch - a work of art.
Speaking of artists, the big day in 2021 – 9th February – was filled with a multitude of brilliant performances around the world, all paying tribute to ballet's legacy. But I think 2021, especially, seemed to focus on this connection between the art of the ballet dancer, and the tutu - in that, what she was wearing was actually contributing to the expression of the ballet itself and wasn’t simply part of the story or performance!
On that very date, February 9th, 2021, one of the world's most esteemed ballet companies – The Royal Ballet – took to the stage at the magnificent Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. Can you imagine, my lovelies, dancing in that exquisite building! They were performing one of the most celebrated ballets of all time, the Giselle! You know how much I love classical performances. Well, this one’s a true gem! The elegance of those romantic tutus, oh, my dears! Just breathtaking!
And it wasn't just The Royal Ballet shining bright on February 9th, 2021, darling. There was a multitude of ballet schools and troupes across the globe putting on spectacular performances. Every one of them captivating their audiences. I had the most wonderful time dancing in Paris, watching them dance at the Garnier opera house! That’s what you call a real treat and a real highlight of my time travelling in the 21st century. I remember watching the show in complete awe!
The magic of ballet has a way of captivating the world, even on the 9th of February 2021, and in that year! It brought together a kaleidoscope of colours and creative designs - and I had a front row seat, as I was travelling through time! The stories they danced with their tutus made us laugh, cry, and reflect! That, you see, was the beauty of ballet and those tutus in 2021. I was a part of a tradition, something so grand and stunning.
And just like this historical journey into the ballet world of tutus, remember to embrace your own creative flair and experiment with your fashion. What are you wearing? Who is inspiring you? What’s your tutu like? The point of it all, is finding what truly makes you shine. Now, get out there, put on your pink tutus (don't forget to accessorise! Pink ribbons and sparkling shoes are my go-to choices for the ultimate tutu glam!) and spread a little ballet love in the world!
Until next week, my sweet tutu-wearing darlings! Let's twirl our way to a dazzling future! And always remember, pink is the most magnificent colour to wear a tutu.
And always keep twirling,
Emma xx
