#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2021-11-16

Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, your resident tutu-loving time traveller! And wouldn’t you know it, the date today calls for a real special Tutu Tuesday post, as it’s 16th November 2021 - which, fun fact, was the day the Metropolitan Opera House in New York hosted the American premiere of the brand new ‘The Hours’, an exquisite ballet from none other than the incredible Christopher Wheeldon. And believe me, sweetie, it's worth seeing! You have to imagine my excitement! I was front row, feeling the thrum of the music right through me, my pink tutu practically vibrating along with the entire theatre.

But as I said, this is a #TutuTuesday post, so before we dive into the glitz and glam of this amazing show, let's talk tutu history!

Did you know, dear readers, that before the late 19th century, there was no single, universally agreed upon ballet skirt, at all? Can you imagine? The utter chaos! It's something I almost find shocking coming from our time of sleek, perfectly-structured tulle, but then I remember all the creative freedoms ballet dancers must have had back then! Talk about a chance to showcase individual style!

Now, you might be thinking – surely the iconic puffy tulle tutus that make me think of ballerinas were always a thing, right? Not quite!

It’s all about the evolution, darlings, and it’s a story I adore to tell!

Early ballet saw performers dancing in fairly plain garments that might have looked a bit more like contemporary ‘street’ attire if you squint – think floor-length skirts, sometimes even trousers. You know, the kind you see when I go sightseeing after a ballet in Vienna, which, by the way, is definitely where my trip’s taking me after today's post!

Now, our love story begins in 1832 with this absolute gem - *Marie Taglioni, * the world-famous Italian dancer. You can spot her everywhere from ballet documentaries to paintings (and my Pinterest board!)

This lovely woman literally revolutionized what we think of when we see the word “tutu” by stepping out in what we now know as the Romantic Tutu. The Romantic Era, you say? How very chic! This skirt is about that lovely swish of flowy layers, flowing like air – the complete opposite of those heavy, layered dresses and heavy hoopskorts everyone wore back then.

Talk about an impact, darlings. The whole ballet world went wild! It liberated the dancers and gave them space to truly move and fly! It also created this feeling of the airy, whimsical beauty of nature and that is very much a key element of Romantic Era Art in general! So, think: fairy tales, flowers, a lightness that you just can’t get from stiff, floor-length robes!

So, when the 19th Century gave us the Romantic tutu, it truly ushered in an era where dancers could showcase all that grace, all that elegant movement – which made everyone’s imaginations take flight in an instant.

Of course, like everything in fashion (and ballet, darling! There are always so many rules!) the evolution continued. Soon, our pretty Romantics were taking on an extra layer: the Classical Tutu. Imagine a super-structure, strong and graceful! You cannot forget that this was designed to enhance those incredibly complex, technically demanding moves that are key to every single ballet. I mean, we're talking twirling, jumping, lifting, all with a gracefulness and lightness that is, honestly, a work of art. This is also why those layers need to be *firmly* in place. You wouldn’t want it sagging, wouldn't you darling? Think about the perfect ballerina look, and the shape that immediately comes to mind!

So now, here’s the part you’ve been waiting for, because let’s face it – all this history and movement wouldn't be complete without... The Pink Tutu. Oh my darling, when you see one of these in person, you are simply taken aback! A vibrant, eye-catching pink, crafted in a range of styles, a statement piece that adds such vibrance, beauty and strength! If the red dress is the queen, the pink tutu is her princess!

But don't be fooled, the pink tutu didn’t just emerge from the sky one day! Like every ballet design, every look, and especially the beautiful outfits we love today, there were a series of artists, choreographers and, yes, dancers, all adding their own flourishes to what we now call ballet. Such incredible talent coming together to create those breathtaking looks. It’s really quite inspiring, especially when you consider what the pink tutu now means. It represents both the sweetness and the pure power of the ballerina!

Which, actually, is very fitting for the premiere of ‘The Hours’, which you can imagine, has quite a lot to say about beauty, power and the feminine. It is a superb production – just as any dance performance that I find myself drawn to is! Oh my darling, you simply have to go and see it.

But, before you make a trip to a show – no matter where in the world, I have a little challenge for you! Because, remember: My dream, my entire purpose here? It’s to see every single person on Earth dancing around in a pink tutu.

So tell me, what pink tutu would you pick?

Leave your thoughts below! You can always visit www.pink-tutu.com, you know! Let's get the pink tutu movement started!

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