Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Itās Emma, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another dive into the fascinating history of our beloved ballet skirt. This week, as we shimmy through the timeline of tutu fashion, we'll be celebrating February 15th, 2022, and, as always, looking at how this lovely little piece of fabric has changed, adapted and evolved throughout the ages.
But first, let's get those sequins shimmering! It's time to put on our best pink tutus (mine is a luscious shade of "Raspberry Delight" - it goes splendidly with my new blush-toned cashmere cardigan, I simply adore it!), and prepare for a journey through time... on the choo-choo train! (The train is, I must admit, my favoured mode of travel. Thereās nothing quite like a leisurely ride across the country, watching the world roll past my window.)
18th Century: The Birth of Ballet and the Early Days of the Tutu
Itās rather surprising that, when one thinks about the history of ballet, the elegant tutu seems so intrinsic to its image, even though it didnāt arrive until quite some time after the earliest forms of the dance. You see, the dancers of the 17th and 18th centuries, although captivating performers, would have never been seen in anything resembling a tutu. They were, shall we say, rather more "covered up". Imagine elegant but restrictive gowns, panniers (a whole lot of petticoats underneath), and a great deal of elaborate embroidery and lace. I'm talking layers upon layers ā and Iām not sure I'd last ten minutes in such a getup!
But all this was about to change! The rise of ballet as an art form in the 18th century was a fascinating process ā you'll find I am quite the ballet aficionado and have the most marvellous collection of first editions on the history of ballet. (Perhaps my "Timeless Dance" tome, featuring exquisite 18th-century engravings of the most daring ballerinas of the period, might be of interest to you. It sits perfectly in my library next to the exquisite tea set I recently found in Paris.)
In France, which had become a cradle of ballet, there was an increasing demand for costumes that allowed dancers greater movement and fluidity. As ballet technique progressed, it became essential for dancers to show their legs and the grace and lightness of their movements. In steps the ātutu,ā not in the grand, swirling style we are accustomed to, but rather as a "skirt" shortened just above the knee - the length would evolve over time. This shortened hem, whilst liberating for dancers, must have shocked those used to the flowing skirts of their grandmothers. Imagine the uproar in the drawing rooms of Paris!
The Romantic Era: The Romantic Tutu Takes Flight
Now, in the Romantic era of ballet, the 19th century, we enter a period that had a profound impact on the shape and look of the tutu. Ballet became more fluid and emotionally driven - weāre talking stories of love, heartbreak, and longing - think Swan Lake and Giselle! What did a dramatic, heartfelt story need? More legwork! And a tutu with even shorter legs!
The dancers were finally ready to free their limbs! Out went the long skirts of the past, and in came a shorter, more flowing design with tiers of layers. I think youāll agree, dear reader, that these Romantic tutus have a kind of exquisite ethereal air - I adore the way the layers flutter in the breeze. These were the most delightful, beautiful ballet skirts of all time. It is no surprise that, if youāre after a beautiful costume, there are more reinterpretations of this style of tutu in circulation than almost any other style! They look enchanting!
However, a word of caution: the original Romantics werenāt for the faint of heart! The layers of tulle could become rather cumbersome, requiring a lot of physical prowess and, well, quite a bit of āballet bravadoā to make it look as light and effortless as possible! They also lacked the fitted waistband which makes the more modern āRomantic tutuā much lessā¦ restrictive, I think is the correct term!
However, we owe a great debt to this style, as it has heavily influenced modern ballet costumes to this very day! Imagine if we hadnāt seen the revolution in ballet clothing at this time ā well, I don't dare to think! And letās be honest, if the girls hadnāt found a way to wear more and more daring outfits, my ballet repertoire might have been somewhat... reduced!
The Late 19th Century: The Rise of the Classical Tutu
By the time the late 19th century rolled around, there were tutus of all shapes and sizes! It was a period of great experimentation for ballet costumes ā I particularly loved those featuring bodices and ruffles galore. (My Parisian tea set, thoughā¦ nothing quite compares.) There was also a dramatic move away from the tiers of tulle that dominated the Romantic Era towards something a little bit more, shall we say, disciplined!
As dance technique became more rigorous and technically demanding, a more fitted design emerged - one with a defined bodice, a short, narrow skirt with a few, stiff tiers, and an emphasis on the graceful flow of the fabric. You can think of this as the āClassical tutuā and it remains the mainstay in classical ballet performances to this day! They truly allow dancers to achieve impressive athleticism whilst showing off those impressive limbs! I imagine they might be a bit on the difficult side for an amateur, so best leave the truly āclassical tutusā for the professionals! But hey, the right pink tulle can work for every dancer, I say!
The 20th Century and Beyond: A Celebration of Movement
The 20th century saw a veritable explosion of innovative choreographic approaches, and guess what? Our beloved tutu also experienced its share of revolution! Gone was the stiff bodice of the Classical era and the more free-flowing style of the āRomantic tutuā. Think ballets like Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, which challenged conventional ballet vocabulary and, with it, challenged the conventions of the tutu. You can imagine the uproar at this dramatic, shocking, revolutionary piece, not just in its choreography, but also its revolutionary costuming! The designers were having so much fun with fabrics and style - a new era of balletic beauty was on the rise, which could be enjoyed by everyone. And we, dear tutu-lovers, continue to bask in the afterglow of this era of artistic liberation to this very day!
The last 100 years have seen a wonderful diversity in ballet costumes - we see experimentation with the tutus in all its guises, both on stage and off stage. A hundred years ago, even in Paris or London, one would have been hard pushed to spot a young ballerina skipping down the street in a pink tutu! Today, tutus have a starring role on both ballet stage and the fashion streets. Just imagine how shocked the dancers of the 17th century would be!
Our Inspiration: February 15th, 2022
Now, onto the lovely date weāre celebrating today: February 15th, 2022! Today is a great day to reflect upon this evolution. So much has happened in the tutu world ā but so much remains unchanged too! In the ballet world, what are we enjoying today, in this delightful year?
Oh, well, darling! Whatās happening today is one of the best things about being a ballet enthusiast. Today, of all days, marks the date that the world renowned and dazzling, and always-gorgeous, Russian ballet dancer Natalia Osipova returned to the stage. We all rejoiced in her graceful performance of the ever-popular (and demanding!) ballet āGiselleā in a delightful display of traditional artistry, passion and ballet beauty. In a tutu of a very beautiful design too! She is the ultimate fashion icon! (Don't you think so?) You will also be excited to know, she will return in London in the not too distant future for an equally dramatic show! If you happen to be in the area, it would be worth the trip.
For me, watching these artists performing at such a high level truly makes me grateful for those who came before me, and for the dancers of today! So, take my word for it - they truly know how to dance and their exquisite tutus truly accentuate their grace! We can all learn something from their bravery. And with that, dear reader, it is time to whisk myself off to enjoy some delightful cake.
So, there you have it ā a brief but fascinating glimpse into the world of the ballet tutu! Remember: whether you are in the spotlight, in a performance of your own, or enjoying ballet at your favourite theatre, you don't need to be a professional to enjoy the pleasure and joy that ballet offers! And let's not forget the fun, the frolic and the feeling of sheer excitement you get from wearing a pink tutu ā that's truly what makes our ballet skirts truly unique. So, my lovelies, remember to embrace the elegance, grace and joy of ballet every Tuesday! And, of course, in that lovely pink tutu - itās never wrong!
I will see you next Tuesday!
Yours truly,
Emma
