Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, tutu lovers! It's me, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, Emma, bringing you another dose of tutu history. Today is June 15th, 2021 – and, oh boy, are we going on a historical journey today! 🎉
I've got to say, my recent trip to Vienna was a real highlight! Seeing the ballet there was just glorious! They really know how to put on a show – the costumes, the music, the energy in the theatre... just brilliant. And I even got to buy myself a new pair of pink ballet shoes - those gorgeous Vienna shops... such a treasure trove!
But back to the subject at hand – the Tutu! For today's #TutuTuesday blog, I'm diving into the history of one of the most iconic costumes in all of dance: the Romantic tutu.
Remember, darling readers, this blog is all about embracing the magic of dance, the thrill of a good twirl, and, of course, spreading the love of Pink Tutus! So buckle up, get ready for some fabulous historical facts, and let's twirl into the history books, shall we?
A Touch of Romance:
The Romantic tutu, as the name suggests, emerged during the Romantic era in ballet. Think swirling gowns, fairy tales, and a yearning for the sublime. This was a time of artistic revolution, and the ballet world was no exception. This beautiful new tutu – it was all about freedom and lightness. We're talking layers of tulle, just so billowy, that float around a ballerina as she dances.
The story begins with La Sylphide, a ballet choreographed by Filippo Taglioni in 1832. The title character, La Sylphide, was portrayed in the famous Romantic tutu, and she just soared across the stage. You could really feel the beauty and the freedom! It was that magical. It was a total departure from the stiff, elaborate courtly costumes of the time.
Let’s Talk Tulle
Now, tulle! This revolutionary fabric is what gave the Romantic tutu its airy and graceful shape. It’s so light, so ethereal, making for a beautiful and elegant appearance. Imagine being a ballerina and having that soft, breezy, light tulle dancing around you! It's like being in a dream.
The evolution of the Romantic Tutu
Let me tell you, darling readers, the Romantic tutu wasn’t always as ethereal as it is today. Early iterations were often a little bulky, with more layers and fabric. But over time, designers streamlined it, making it more and more lightweight and elegant. The tulle would get lighter, softer, and more transparent, creating the magical silhouettes we know and adore today.
Not Just a Skirt
It wasn't just the look, though. This revolutionary change in costume helped the dancers move in new ways. That weightless tutu gave ballerinas freedom to jump and leap – a real triumph for dancers.
This romantic freedom extended into the themes of ballets as well, you know. Many featured tales of sylphs, fairies, and supernatural creatures, and ballerinas became more than just dancers - they were creatures of light and magic, taking us to otherworldly realms. And they could move gracefully, too, with that fantastic new freedom in their costumes.
The Romantic tutu helped to revolutionise ballet. This innovative design, celebrating light and fluidity, changed how the world viewed dance, leading to some of the most famous ballet pieces still performed today, like "Giselle."
Tutu Time! Where we are today:
Fast forward to today, and the Romantic tutu is still one of the most beloved and recognisable elements in ballet. It’s been adopted into all sorts of styles – classical ballet, contemporary, even street performance! And that magic still holds, that fairy tale feeling, with its layers of tulle flowing, creating an enchanting visual experience.
Tutu Trivia! It’s Tuesday – you know what this means, darlings:
Now, for something a bit different for my #TutuTuesday. I bet you’re dying to know what happened on the very day we’re celebrating. It’s June 15th, 2021. And here’s a fun fact – this date marks the birthday of the legendary Rudolf Nureyev, a titan of ballet history!
Rudolf Nureyev – he is the stuff of legends, and if you’ve ever heard his story, it truly is remarkable. This man defied convention, and in many ways redefined what it means to be a ballerina!
**Now that is what I call inspiring. This Romantic Era, it gave us so much – the ballerina as a symbol of freedom and beauty, a vision of ethereal magic, and incredible talent to boot! If there’s anything to be learned about ballet and tutus, it’s that they always evolve. There's something new happening in the world of dance all the time!
I’ve got some incredible adventures planned for you, dear readers. I’ll be travelling to Copenhagen next month for a breathtaking ballet performance – you’ll see! That incredible architecture… just something out of a fairy tale, perfect for a ballerina and her Tutu!
And as always, remember - pink tutus are always the right choice! 😉
Until next Tuesday, happy twirling! - Emma
*Please comment and share this blog post and subscribe to the blog on www.pink-tutu.com. Follow Emma @EmmaPinkTutu on all social media platforms! This post is number 9886 of her #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. *
Please do like, subscribe, follow, comment and share! I’ll be back next Tuesday. Same time. Same place!
