Hello, my lovelies! It’s Emma here, your very own tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina blogger. Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com for another whirlwind trip through the enchanting world of tutus! Today, as you know, is #TutuTuesday, and oh my goodness, I’m just bursting with excitement. Today's topic is super-duper exciting, as we're going on a sartorial adventure, right back to the Victorian era, just to see where the modern tutu was born!
Remember those gorgeous frothy creations I described last week? Well, buckle up your ballet shoes, because this week, my dears, is all about the evolution of the tutu, from those billowing, full-skirted predecessors, through to the sleek, graceful and dramatic beauties we adore today. Let’s embark on a journey back in time, shall we?
The Victorian Dance of Transformation:
Now, we all know how absolutely glorious tutus look, but where did they come from? The early years of the Victorian era saw the rise of the ‘crinoline’. It was a stiff underskirt, giving that billowing bell-shaped silhouette we think of for those beautiful vintage fashion prints.
Then came the ‘bustle’, another dramatic addition – a padding to make the back of the skirt swell out like a rounded, full balloon! Now, don't picture this as something clunky and bulky. It was elegant and elegant, just wait till you see what I'm wearing today for this week's blog - I am completely dressed up to impress and will definitely give you a visual of all these styles, all from this very exciting era. It is seriously so chic. It's like walking through a living, breathing fashion magazine.
In the 1870s, the dance revolution was truly kicking off, darling! Enter the* 'tutu' – the ultimate symbol of the ballet world!* What we see now on the stage is actually a result of this revolutionary new fashion design, influenced by the rising interest in lighter, faster, and more exciting movements in ballet.
This was no time for restrictive fabrics. The invention of tulle was crucial. Lightweight, flowing and translucent – it made the tutu not only graceful, but completely free-flowing for pirouettes and fouettés! It’s the very foundation of the dramatic shapes we now recognise on stage. Oh my! And don't get me started on the beautiful range of colours you can find with tulle - you name it! But my absolute favourite will always be a beautiful shade of pale pink, like the rose petals from our beautiful local park in Derby, don't you think?
Dancing Onward: A Modern History of Tutulence:
And we can’t forget Marie Taglioni, the ‘Queen of the Dance’. Her beautiful, groundbreaking tutu, called ‘la danse’, literally set the standard for tutus. She even made dancing on point shoes incredibly elegant. My dears, it's impossible to imagine what ballet would be like without those gorgeous, sparkling shoes! You have her to thank for the incredible beauty and freedom of movement we see today! It truly changed the world of dance, paving the way for the iconic looks of legendary ballerinas like Anna Pavlova and Alicia Markova.
You know, even now, every ballerina dreams of creating that unforgettable ‘tutu moment’, and all of these revolutionary designs paved the way. Now, for our fabulous modern day tutus, we see the romanticism of classic tulle, along with exciting and playful silhouettes - but just with more and more intricate layers, gorgeous colour variations, and some dazzlingly beautiful detail. Honestly, they are true works of art.
My Tutu Style:
Of course, being a lover of all things pretty and pink, I naturally favour the tutu's original pale pink and ivory shades. I love that those shades add a special ethereal magic to the stage. And even if you aren't a ballerina, my lovelies, you can always rock your very own fabulous, twirlingly fabulous tutu!
Today, for my own little #TutuTuesday photoshoot, I've chosen a custom-made pale pink tutu. It's layers upon layers of tulle, a bit more dramatic, and topped with an ivory ribbon bow. And of course, you just can’t wear a tutu without a sprinkle of extra sparkle. My dears, I am absolutely dripping with elegance! This little ballerina is all ready for a photo session fit for the pages of Vogue! (Oh darling, isn't it just a little dream?).
The other day I was watching "The Nutcracker" with some darling children. Let's be honest - they all looked like a little gang of fairies and angels. You could have heard a pin drop as they gazed in awe at the Snow Queen as she danced across the stage, a glittering whirlwind of ivory tulle. And those sugarplum fairies! So incredibly graceful and breathtaking in their pastel shades and ribbons.
Of course, for those of us who live and breathe fashion, there's nothing more iconic than a black tutu. A simple but stunning combination with beautiful red lipstick and a black ballerina bun... The ultimate in elegant style, don't you agree? I must go shopping for a new black tutu next week and see how I can transform my look - even when travelling. Black tutus make me think of all the wonderful travel posters I saw on my last trip - you know - that iconic red background with that elegant dancer wearing her chic, black tulle masterpiece.
Travelling Through Time:
Well, my dearest Tutu Lovers! I have to run and catch the train back to 2021 - this week's blog has already taken me quite far! (Especially for the return train fare from 1880... Goodness knows where I get my funds... I'll probably just go for another fundraising performance on the London stage!). But I can't resist letting you in on one of my little secret travel hacks - always pack your trusty pink tutu! Who doesn't love an exciting new travel wardrobe for an historical journey, right?
Let's keep twirling our way through the world of fashion, shall we? And, of course, always remember - a pink tutu can never be a bad idea! Keep those sparkly, tutu dreams coming!
See you all next week, my loves!
Emma xxx
P.S. I simply had to pop over to my local ballet shop. It’s always an inspiration, so much to choose from and new designs that look positively glamorous! As usual, I treated myself to a pair of dazzling ballet flats and a matching little tulle bag, to carry around all my favourite ballet bits. Now, if you're looking for a ballet-tastic shopping treat for yourself or that lovely person in your life, this place is an absolute treasure. Just check it out if you’re ever near our local shopping centre! They really do know a thing or two about pretty, pretty ballet fashion.
#TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #Fashion #Ballet #Vintage #Style #Travel #Shopping #History #Ballerina #TimeTravel
