Hey everyone, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! It's me, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveler, Emma, back for another installment of #TutuTuesday! This week, we're diving into the fascinating world of ballet history - specifically, the history of the tutu!
I'm in the most incredible city right now – oh, I can't say where I am exactly – you'd never believe me. Let's just say, they're completely obsessed with ballet here. Everywhere you look there's a shop with tulle, ribbons, and sequins, and the streets are filled with the sounds of pirouettes and arabesques. I just adore it. And what better way to blend in than by sporting my favourite pink tutu, right? 😉
Okay, back to the tutu. This Tuesday marks the 22nd of February in the year 2022, which means it's just days away from International Dance Day! It seems like this special occasion has only been around for a couple of decades. But, that doesn't mean dancing itself hasn't been around for centuries – heck, for thousands of years!
Just imagine, in ancient Egypt, dancers were already performing stories with rhythmic steps and graceful movements! They would adorn themselves with luxurious fabrics, beads, and feathers. You could say they were the originals when it came to dazzling costumes!
It took many centuries for dance, as we know it today, to evolve. As theatre, music, and even fashion evolved in the 1500s, courtly dances and balls became extremely popular across Europe. You had all these amazing gowns with flowing trains and shimmering brocades, and dancers really had to strut their stuff!
Now, let's fast forward to the late 18th century, where dance styles became more focused on lightness, speed, and elegant poses. In the ballet world, the ballet blanc era came in with an ethereal quality, bringing soft, pastel colours to the costumes. Gone were the bulky and constricting garments, and they were replaced with much lighter, flowing ones!
This is where the story of the tutu takes a very dramatic turn, and becomes the centrepiece for how ballet would progress.
Can you imagine the frustration dancers must have felt back then? Having to move around in all those layers! So, as the 19th century began, the evolution of the tutu really took off. Remember that beautiful French ballerina, Marie Taglioni, known for her revolutionary dances and delicate leaps?
Well, Marie revolutionized how we see ballet dancers today. In 1832, she starred in La Sylphide in this amazing tulle dress, reaching just above the knees, allowing for a much greater range of movement!
Now, this style was far from the tiny and puffy tutus we associate with Swan Lake or The Sleeping Beauty, but it definitely made a huge step in showing how the skirt of a ballerina’s outfit could change the entire essence of her performance.
This 'revolutionary tutu' became the new fashion craze amongst Parisian dancers, and quickly travelled across the world. By the time I landed in the bustling city of Paris during the second half of the 19th century, you couldn't walk a mile without seeing these amazing creations on the stage, or on fashion mannequins in shop windows.
What truly changed the look of the tutu, though, was a ballerina called Fanny Elssler. The little, full, tutu de ballet, was basically made for her! With the arrival of this dramatic style in 1844, her fiery dancing truly made this design iconic! And it is this classic style that continues to inspire modern-day dancers all across the world.
So, that's the story of the tutu – and remember, we're just scratching the surface! It is truly amazing how this simple garment has evolved, changed, and been a fundamental piece for centuries! There's a lot more history to explore – so tune in next week for another #TutuTuesday on Pink-Tutu.com!
More Than Just A Tutu: Tulle for Every Taste!Talking about amazing garments, it wouldn't be a true #TutuTuesday blog if I didn't showcase my love for a certain fabric. Have you ever felt the texture of tulle? The sheer, ethereal nature of this magical material truly embodies what ballet is about: elegance and grace! But the uses for tulle go beyond ballet!
Right now, my train journey is taking me across the countryside, passing charming villages and towns with little shops brimming with creative ideas for tulle. Who knew you could make anything from tulle, even stunning bouquets?! And here in this enchanting city I've found an array of colours – imagine, pink, lavender, emerald, turquoise, every colour imaginable.
But if you are wondering about what kind of tulle you should get your hands on for your own ballet or fashion project, then think no further! Here are a couple of options:
- Hard tulle: This tulle is a real classic, holding its shape very well. If you are planning a very romantic ballerina look, then this is what you need!
- Soft tulle: A little bit lighter than hard tulle, this material adds the most amazing, elegant flow to tutus. And when combined with hard tulle, the softer version really allows a ballerina to move fluidly without the risk of the tutu being too heavy.
- Mesh Tulle: Now, you might think I'd mention it but really, this is the standard tulle, but a little bit heavier, which comes in very handy when designing outfits. This variety of tulle is used when it needs a lot of support – say, a bodice for a dance outfit or even when layering fabrics to get a really elaborate look!
Just as a heads-up for my wonderful readers! Today is February 22nd, so get those pencils sharpened! Why, that means there's a special anniversary coming up. If you look carefully, you'll find it written everywhere here in this beautiful city. A date, two numbers.
For the rest of you, enjoy these snippets, and get ready for your next tutu project!
Remember, every tutu has a story to tell. So go ahead, experiment, express yourself and wear your confidence like you own the stage.
Until next time, keep it twirling! 💖🩰
