#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2022-03-29

Hello Darlings! It’s Tuesday, and that means it's time for another #TutuTuesday post on the wonderful world of tutus!

You know me, I love everything pink, and what’s more pink and twirly than a beautiful ballet tutu?! 💖

I’m Emma, your #TutuTuesday blogger extraordinaire, and I'm thrilled to be sharing my passion for all things ballet with you! It's my mission to spread the joy of tutus all over the world, one sparkly, twirly number at a time!

As always, I'm absolutely brimming with exciting ballet-related news, stories, and musings to share with you! Buckle up, because today's post is going to be a right old giggle, and a fantastic journey through time as we explore the fascinating evolution of the ballet tutu!

If you haven’t already heard, I have a secret. I'm not just your average tutu-loving blogger. I’m a time travelling ballerina, which means I've been fortunate enough to witness the beauty of tutus across all eras! It’s a rather wonderful secret, and one that requires lots of hard work and a very healthy ballet bank account (which I keep topping up through my performances and tours - I’m pretty fab at the pas de bourrée, darling! 🤫)

Anyway, my latest jaunt in the time machine landed me right smack dab in the heart of Paris on 29 March 2022. I mean, when it comes to tutus, you have to acknowledge their true birthplace, right?

Paris in spring was simply divine. You know what’s wonderful about time travel? There's no baggage claim to navigate and the streets are much cleaner - not to mention you don’t have to worry about missing your connection!

However, even a girl who loves to travel needs some frock-worthy fashion finds, so I decided to make a quick pit stop at a wonderful Parisian boutique on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Oh my, it was so full of Parisian elegance - exquisite silk dresses, charming little hats, and oh! the shoes! There was an abundance of shimmering sequins and delicate lace - absolute heaven! Of course, no visit to Paris would be complete without a new tutu. I had to try on one that matched my current pink outfit - how could I resist the gorgeous silk and feathers?

After I'd indulged in my fashion fix, it was time to make my way to the Palais Garnier - the stunning, ornate Paris Opera House. It's been the centre of Parisian opera and ballet for well over a century, and I was about to be swept away in a torrent of elegance!

Today, tutus are considered iconic and instantly recognizable. Just hearing the word conjures images of delicate, graceful dancers in voluminous skirts, swirling and leaping on stage. But how did we get here? Well, hold onto your bonnets, darlings, because it’s a long and intriguing journey!

You might be surprised to learn that the iconic tutu we know and love today, the Romantic tutu (often a romantic, dreamy colour, such as pink!) was born in the 1830s! Before that, ballet was very different, with costumes resembling much more practical, long skirts. The long skirt, designed to accentuate graceful movements was, dare I say it, a little too, shall we say, practical?! In fact, in those days the long skirts, with their restrictive fabric, must have made any pirouette attempt something of a nightmare!

As dance styles changed and ballerinas were striving for more aerial elegance, they needed clothing that allowed greater freedom of movement. Cue, the tutu revolution!

Enter, Marie Taglioni, a pioneer of the ballet world. Her 1832 performance of La Sylphide, wearing a short, almost ethereal tutu, changed everything! It caused an absolute stir! Imagine wearing your dress to a high society party, only to find you're one of the very few who dares! The audience went wild!

Taglioni was hailed as the epitome of elegance. She was even rumoured to have invented the name tutu after her first performance in a short skirt (the history of how “tutu” came to be, though, remains a fascinatingly ambiguous tale! It could also have derived from the Italian word ‘tutto,’ meaning all and used because it encompassed everything - a fabric and a form). But that's not all - the shorter tutu liberated the movement of dancers! She was suddenly able to showcase her technique - lightness, delicate footwork, and those iconic entrechat jumps. The whole ballet world had finally been en pointe.

With Taglioni as its leading light, the ballet world swiftly embraced the Romantic tutu. But time marches on, and like the world around us, ballet itself is forever changing.

Throughout the late 19th century, tutus, influenced by ballet's burgeoning dramatic and theatrical nature, continued to evolve! The classical tutu, a short, frilled and sometimes stiff tutu was perfected and worn for its architectural form and structure. The Victorian era saw tutu experimentation in an abundance of layers and embellishments with elaborate decorations to be the height of fashion. And who doesn't love an over the top outfit now and then?! Imagine a grand ball where every lady dons an extravagant skirt, and now you’ve a sense of just how important tutus were considered in their time!

Then, in the early 20th century, there was a change. Ballerinas began wearing “modern” tutus! They were looser and less fussy. This was an interesting move as we were well and truly in the middle of the exciting twentieth century - the era of sleek new automobiles and new developments! The movement was towards a lighter approach and more of a focus on the technical movement, instead of the embellishment of a garment.

There’s a wonderful tradition of tutus which you can see evolving today! Some are long, some are short. There are tutus designed for leaps, tutus perfect for swirling pirouettes and of course, we even have tutu-less ballets.

It’s a story of constant change and evolution. Each era has impacted and influenced tutu style, from the extravagant layers and decoration of Victorian fashion to the leaner lines of the 20th century. But even in a time of ongoing development and changing fashion, it's fair to say, tutus remain a symbol of timeless elegance!

I know, I know, you’re ready for a twirl! And it's definitely time for my latest favourite – I discovered it last week in Milan. Oh darling, I have to tell you about the sensational multicoloured, glittery “Dreamweaver tutu”, it has the most spectacular rainbow ombre design, it sparkles like the sun, and my friends, it moves so beautifully with every step!

### tutu-ful thoughts

You know what makes me so happy? The sheer power of the tutu, both on and off stage! Today, I think the power of the tutu is that it allows for so much movement. Just take a look at the dancers at a street ballet show.

Just picture this: a cobbled street full of hustle and bustle. Suddenly, a vibrant burst of colour – dancers performing right on the sidewalk! Their costumes, tutus included, burst with life, their dance steps flowing, their music soaring through the air. I absolutely love how this blends ballet tradition with street art, modern choreography, and accessibility. It makes dance truly for the people, and that’s so exciting, don’t you think?!

Tutus truly are symbols of expression. From the grace and sophistication of a grand ballet to the freedom and expressiveness of a modern dance company - the power of the tutu, I think, is that it embraces creativity. I hope you see it that way too.

That’s all from me for today, my darlings. Now it’s time to unleash your inner ballerina - how about some pink tutus? Maybe a trip to the theatre or a dance class - why not try a beginner class today, darling? I bet you'd have a hoot!

Remember, it's always #TutuTuesday, no matter what you wear! I have to jet off, as I have a big ballet tour of Russia, where tutus are as loved as pink tea!

Have a wonderful week, my loves. 💖 And if you’re in Derbyshire next week, come say hello!

Lots of love and a million twirls,

Emma

P.S: If you've been inspired to unleash your inner tutu-wearing wonder, I'd love to see pictures! Share your favourite tutu looks with me on the website – www.pink-tutu.com! We have the most fab tutu collection there, all designed by my good friend Sarah, the founder of ‘La Tutu Belle’ – darling, she knows how to make the most sensational pieces for any special event, you just have to see it to believe it! 💖