#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2021-05-11

Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you away on another Tutu Tuesday adventure! Today, we're taking a journey through time, landing squarely in May of 2021. Ooh la la! It's all about ballet and fashion and the gorgeous grace of a well-worn, twirling tutu. Let’s just say I found some rather lovely tutus and even managed to catch a few ballet shows! It’s so much fun travelling to different times - imagine all the fabulous styles to see and experience! But, it's getting tiring travelling all over the world on the railways (so many trains and tunnels!) I do try to make every trip a treat though - there is always time to stop and see a show! Today, however, my story begins in Derbyshire. Oh, it is a good feeling to be back in the rolling hills and the Derbyshire Dales. The peace of this county and the gentle rolling of the hills is quite remarkable. This week my research will take me right back to a small market town in the Midlands. Now, if only the markets still held that amazing amount of tutus…

The year 2021 was a peculiar one - a year full of change and uncertainty. People had grown weary from the last couple of years of lockdown, and everywhere I looked, I saw the promise of things starting to blossom again! So naturally, I found myself drawn to a certain theatrical performance. A beautiful new ballet company was setting up shop and they had a spectacular run of the 'Swan Lake'. I don't think I've ever seen anything so graceful - so elegant! Those shimmering tutus with their billowing skirts…it was utterly bewitching!

As we speak, though, 2021 feels like a distant memory. Oh, to go back in time, perhaps to see a production of ‘Swan Lake’ at the English National Ballet… how glorious would that be! The dance of the swans is a highlight - oh those delicate moves, the elegant tutus – it all adds to the fairytale! Speaking of stories and magical journeys, today's Tutu Tuesday takes us on a voyage through the history of this majestic garment!

Imagine, if you will, a world without the majestic tutu! It's practically impossible to conceive of ballet without it - it's part of the very soul of this magical art form. But the tutu's history is a fascinating journey! From humble beginnings as a mere calf-length skirt in the late 18th century, the tutu blossomed into a masterpiece of dancewear. It wasn’t all sequins and swishes, mind you! The evolution was gradual and inspired by changes in fashion and choreography!

Imagine billowing layers of tulle, delicate silk, and just a hint of romantic flair…that was the Romantic tutu, and it reigned supreme during the 19th century! Think Giselle! The Romantic tutu was long, flowy and made for graceful, expressive dance moves. The ethereal skirt captured the very essence of a dreamy, whimsical ballet! Imagine a swirling sea of tulle – a delightful whirlwind of delicate fabrics.

But, like all stories, our tutu tale has its share of drama. The Romantic tutu came with its own challenges – think a very delicate, rather unpractical piece of attire for dance moves. Enter…

By the time of the mid 19th Century, fashion and dance started moving toward practicality – a more elegant but easier movement was the goal. The classical tutu came onto the scene, born out of the necessity of allowing for leaps, turns and a quicker, more dynamic style of ballet. And this, of course, demanded a shorter, fitted, form-hugging, and often more detailed, tutu. This new tutu became the mainstay for almost all classical ballets… the Classical tutu became an iconic staple for the dancer!

This shift from the Romantic to the Classical tutu took a few more turns before it landed into what we know now as the The Classical tutu which has a skirt just a tad longer, and the most beautiful fabric details (think a delicate blend of gauze, silk, organza, or even satin!) It's an elegant and beautiful creation with a hint of femininity and that lovely feeling of ballet in motion!

But wait! It didn't end there… we still had one more turn in our story...

Our modern tutu is very different, but still just as impressive in its own right, as it’s designed for contemporary, expressional and creative dance! Think modern styles, think a range of fabrics, from silk to Lycra, and bold and inventive colors and designs - everything from simple and minimalistic, through to extravagant tutus featuring more fabric ( and some stunningly beautiful textures)!

This new generation of Modern tutus are quite special, especially when you think of how dance styles are being reinvented for modern ballets…the fabric and styles, so beautifully adapted – some with little skirt or even without.

These new modern forms are certainly very expressive in their own way! It’s just delightful!

Well darlings, as much as I'd love to chat with you all night about tutu history, my little pink tutu awaits! Remember: tutus are magical, a celebration of everything that is creative, whimsical, and graceful! This #TutuTuesday I’ve loved reminding everyone of the fabulous world of ballet tutus. If I’m not getting up into the swirling fabrics, then I am at home creating one. There is such pleasure in creating a beautiful design and watching it spin around the dancer…It is pure magic! But there’s no need to be a ballerina to love a good tutu! So grab your fanciest frock, throw on some fabulous pink or silver accessories and dance to your heart's content. I'm always up for spreading the joy of a twirling tutu!

Oh, and did you catch those World Ballet Day shows at the start of May? Absolutely sensational! The entire planet joined in celebrating dance!

I love finding these lovely bits of fashion history. I think they give us such a wonderful insight into who we are, and how far we’ve come… I love exploring and documenting our little stories through clothing. I wonder what amazing tutu designs they will create in the years to come? Will I find myself at the launch of something completely fabulous! Well, I must dash! Catch you all next week! And remember – every day is tutu day!