Hello my darlings! Itās Emma here, back again for another fabulous #TutuTuesday! This week weāre venturing back in time, but don't worry, it's a much shorter journey than last week's trip to the court of Marie Antoinette! (Can you believe they wore tutus back then? Talk about fashion icons!) This time, we're staying right here in 2021 - just popping over to March 30th to see what fashion-tastic moments are happening in the ballet world!
Oh my goodness, the world feels like it's positively buzzing with excitement today! Not just any old excitement, but ballet excitement! And letās face it, thereās nothing quite like seeing the beautiful dancers twirling on stage in their glorious tutus! The very thought of it makes me want to grab my pinkest tulle and whirl around my flat. (Although I am desperately wishing for a studio right now!)
As you all know, tutus are my weakness. I could spend hours browsing through them online, admiring the delicate fabrics, the flowing designs, the incredible detailsā¦ itās pure joy, and I don't think I'm alone in that!
So, whatās on the cultural calendar for the 30th of March, 2021? Well, the Royal Ballet are treating Londoners to a captivating performance of The Sleeping Beauty, and letās face it, who doesnāt love a good fairytale? Those tutus will be something spectacular. Can you imagine those graceful arabesques with all the shimmering, voluminous tulle? Simply divine!
Speaking of divine, have you seen the costumes in the Bolshoi's new production of Swan Lake in Moscow? The white tutus for the swan's section are ethereal - just breathtaking. Itās hard not to get lost in their elegance and the feeling of untainted beauty, just like the real swans gliding across the lake. (Honestly, who else imagines ballet tutus as swans? It's such a beautiful metaphor, right?)
You know, it's times like these when I wish I was in the heart of London or Moscow, just soaking in all that fabulousness. Of course, weāve got amazing ballet schools all over the UK, and that makes my heart swell! My favourite thing about going to a ballet class is that little thrill of feeling those feathers tickle my skin, seeing those perfect shapes made of pink, red, white and every other colour in between. And the movement! Every pirouette, every pliĆ©, every elegant sweep of the arms is pure magic.
But enough about my love affair with ballet!
As for today's #TutuTuesday journey back in time, we'll keep things light and fun - after all, a ballet tutu should never be too serious! We're just going to focus on the glorious, flamboyant world of ballet. Maybe have a giggle, get lost in some stories about history and dance and, as always, share a love for all things pink and twirly.
It's no secret that tutus are symbols of pure joy and grace. Just one glimpse of those fluttering layers of tulle is enough to spark your inner dancer, and maybe even inspire you to dust off your ballet shoes (even if just for a moment, darling)!
Let's talk about the history of this incredible garment:
Where would we be without the invention of the tutu? A bit plain, if I do say so myself. And there are so many incredible variations! Did you know there was even a āskirtā variation back in the early days, the tutu Ć la grecque, with that amazing drapery style? Oh my word! I've seen some of these vintage ones and the details on the pleats are to die for! I swear I've spent an entire weekend browsing historical collections in London to see them. (Worth every single penny for a passionate tutu enthusiast like me, darling.)
If you fancy getting lost in the world of ballet tutus (who doesn't?!) let's delve a bit deeper!
Letās jump back to the mid-1800s and talk about the Romantic era.
Those glorious layers and delicate lace! The sheer romanticism in every step! Can you even imagine how exciting it must have been to see these floating masterpieces for the first time? I just get shivers down my spine thinking about those dancers bounding onto stage! Now, this era's famous āThe Sylphā from La Sylphide was wearing that long, airy tutu. Now thatās a style Iām absolutely dying to try! Those dramatic swirlsā¦ It would have been simply dreamy to twirl in those!
Itās clear to see that the Romantic era played a HUGE part in bringing this icon of ballet fashion into our lives. And, not only that, itās even more beautiful to see the evolution that has come out of it.
It wasnāt too long after the Romantic Era that we get the shorter, layered tutu. This was definitely an upgrade! These have become some of the most well-known, most iconic tutus around, like the tutu in The Nutcracker. Oh, how the tutus were evolving into masterpieces! I donāt think I can love ballet any more than I already do.
Just as these stunning creations are the symbol of the grace of ballet dancers, the tutus have evolved alongside dance styles themselves. As ballet itself has undergone many transformations, tutus have followed. If I could invent my own style, Iād call it āThe Twirling Empress.ā It would be all pink, with tiers upon tiers of shimmering tulle and maybe some hand-stitched sparkles. The whole ensemble would definitely have an air of fairy princess but with an edgier flairā¦ maybe some sequins and satin to break it up? (Ok, maybe not today, I'm not even sure where to begin to invent a tutu, but just imagine the fun!)
Speaking of sparkles and sequins, this is where modern interpretations of tutus come in! You can definitely spot those iconic tutus and their elegant variations on stages all over the world, and we are seeing a bit of playful experimentation too, particularly in the world of contemporary dance! Think sequins, interesting textures, a mix of colors. But even contemporary dance embraces the graceful legacy of the traditional tutu. (After all, who could possibly resist such an icon?)
While some designs and colours will stay forever elegant and timeless (like that classic pink!), ballet is definitely not afraid to push the boundaries of fashion and create tutus that truly inspire awe. In some pieces, we are seeing how those bold shapes, and even abstract ones, are creating something new! So beautiful!
Well, this has turned into quite the deep dive into tutu history! But for me, there's truly no other time machine than this iconic ballet garment.
And there you have it! My little glimpse into the fascinating, wonderful world of tutus! Let me know if there's a particular era or a tutu you'd like to hear about in future posts! Remember to post your Tutu Tuesday looks on Instagram! Use the hashtag #TutuTuesday! (Donāt forget to tag @pink-tutu! We'll be featuring the most fashionable entries each week on the blog.)
Now, I have to rush. The next show is just around the corner! My trainās already pulling in! I am so off to another gorgeous performance. I will definitely tell you all about it next week!
Keep dancing and keep sparkling, darlings!
See you all next #TutuTuesday,
Emma
P.S. Do let me know which pink tutu is your favourite in the comments below! I just can't choose! ššš
