Greetings from the beautiful ballet capital of the world, darling! It's me, your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, Emma, and it's Tuesday, which means it's time to take a twirl back in time and discover the fascinating story behind our beloved ballet tutus! Today, I'm rocking my extra fluffy pink tutu with a delightful lavender satin ribbon, just the right touch of colour for a spring day! It's just a tad warm here, so I've paired it with a chic off-white blouse, you know, for that classic Parisian look. (Ooh, Paris, just thinking about those dreamy French shops and cafes... sigh)
Anyway, enough about my fashion choices (although, do go have a look at my Instagram for more @PinkTutuEmma, it's worth a browse!). Let's get back to the history of the ballet tutu, a true fashion icon of grace and elegance. And the date, darling? Why, it's the 5th of April, 2022. I know, you can't imagine a time without tutus, but imagine the world of ballet, no whirl of tulle... Honestly, the horror!
So, how did this little symbol of grace come to be? We're off to the early 1800s where Marie Taglioni was gracing the stage in a fluffy little cloud of white. That's right! The Romantic Ballet Era was in full bloom. Marie Taglioni, with her exquisite movement and dramatic skill, needed to move freely. Gone were the heavy, elaborate skirts of earlier ballets; in their place was a short, flowing tutu - a true masterpiece of elegance and fluidity!
Remember that lovely pastel pink tutu I'm wearing today? It has an important story, too! Pink came into fashion in the late 19th Century, becoming the favoured shade for tutus and a key colour of the "Belle Epoque" period. A symbol of elegance, innocence, and grace, pink tutus were adored by dancers and the audiences they captivated.
Fast forward a little (well, about a hundred years) and there's Margot Fonteyn! She embodies the ballerina image of the 20th century. This dazzling dancer was all about beauty, control and captivating expressions. But it's not just ballet, darlings, think of all the Hollywood films, operas, musical theatre, and costumes! That magical flutter of tulle is absolutely iconic! It is such an elegant piece of clothing.
Here I am in 2022, a century after Margot Fonteyn, and still, tutus hold that captivating, elegant power. Just like how fashion is cyclical, I've seen all sorts of styles of tutus since I've been time travelling. The more extravagant the costume, the better I like it! It makes me think: Would you believe we almost lost the tutu?
Think back to the 1970s, there were those modern ballet schools where they wanted to ditch the tutu. A rebellious, modern, bare approach was in. It felt a bit radical then. Luckily, those tutus had staying power. You know what they say, what's old is new!
In more modern times, I'm glad to see so many ballerinas wearing all sorts of colours, textures, and styles. I mean, you should have seen the costumes at the recent American Ballet Theatre show! Just magnificent. But one thing is for certain - a true ballet tutu still radiates that magic we know and love. They are timeless, they are elegant, and, dare I say, they are fabulously stylish!
Now, back to the real world, it's time to head to the London Underground. It’s another exciting day here in London! There's a delightful performance at the Royal Opera House this very evening! And as always, I'll be watching it in my fabulous pink tutu.
Of course, after a fantastic evening of dance, I'll be grabbing some French onion soup, a little light indulgence for the elegant ballerina. After all, the good life includes both fashion and culinary pleasures ! So tell me, dear readers, what do you think about the evolution of the tutu? Do you have any favourite styles or dancers that have rocked the tutu look? And don't forget, it's #TutuTuesday, so feel free to post photos of you rocking your favourite tutu and let's celebrate this symbol of grace and style together! See you next Tuesday for another time-travelling fashion adventure!
Until then,
Emma xx
