Helloooo darling dancers and tutu-lovers! It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday deep dive into the fabulous history of the ballet tutu!
I’m currently hopping around in the bustling streets of London, the centre of the ballet universe! You know how much I adore getting my fashion fix, and there’s no better place to find it than here in this magnificent city. From the stunning shops on Oxford Street to the vibrant markets around Covent Garden, my heart is truly overflowing with pink tulle-inspired joy!
Today is 25th October 2022, and my heart is aflutter for two reasons: It’s #TutuTuesday, but it’s also World Ballet Day, a celebration of everything we love about the graceful and elegant art of ballet. What could be more perfect than combining both of these with a dive into the rich and shimmering history of the iconic ballet tutu?!
But First, a Little London Delight
This morning I danced my way through Covent Garden, feeling inspired by the hustle and bustle around the Royal Opera House! As I popped in for a quick visit, I saw the Royal Ballet rehearsing for their next show, and I practically squealed with excitement! They look absolutely divine, and I can’t wait to see their performance in just a couple of weeks. Afterwards, I wandered over to the gorgeous Fortnum & Mason for a spot of tea and some seriously indulgent cakes, surrounded by stunning, twirling, tutus and exquisite clothing, naturally! This afternoon, I plan to check out some new boutique ballet shops – the ones that know their pink tulle! I have to say, London always manages to fill my day with pure magic.
Back To Those Wonderful, Twirling Tutus!
Let's take a journey through time to discover how this ballet staple went from a humble dance garment to an internationally beloved symbol of grace and artistry!
Before the Tutu: The Roman Dance
Believe it or not, those lovely swirling skirts we call tutus didn’t spring up overnight. They’ve had a rather fascinating and ever-evolving journey!
Our story begins in ancient Rome! Roman dancers wore a simple type of loose tunic, allowing them to move with greater fluidity and freedom. Imagine: graceful movements without the constraints of layers upon layers of fabric! I feel so excited, just picturing them!
The 1500s: A Renaissance of Fabric!
Time takes us to the Italian Renaissance! Now, it was a time when ladies wore beautiful and opulent gowns, making a dramatic entrance to grand balls, accompanied by the sweet tunes of an orchestra. While it might be a little more heavy and constricting compared to a ballet class today, we see a real evolution of style and dance – something exciting is bubbling away in the shadows!
1800s: A Star is Born
From those glorious Renaissance gowns we go on to the 1800s! This was the turning point for the tutu! Enter the graceful ballerina, Marie Taglioni! This Italian superstar revolutionized ballet by introducing a groundbreaking design – the tutu roman, also known as a "waisted tutu".
Imagine, if you will: A short skirt made of layers and layers of tulle! The tutu roman showcased the ballerina’s legs, allowing for graceful, airborne leaps! Imagine the elegant movements and that delightful sense of freedom. Oh, I just love those graceful moves!
I do adore how those tutu romand tutus twirled and moved so effortlessly in the soft light on stage, making it the star of the show.
From Romantic to Dramatic!
Now, ballet continued to evolve into what we know it as today, and with it, the tutu became the signature of the ballerina!
At the end of the 19th Century, in came a dramatic design! The tutu à la Hungaroise was introduced – now imagine those layered, fluffy, shorter tutus that allowed for all those dramatic, acrobatic feats. Think about those breathtaking jumps and turns, showing off both their incredible technique and, of course, that beautiful skirt. Oh! It just gets my blood rushing!
And let’s not forget about those gorgeous tutu de pique designs! The tutu de pique – which means “pointed,” was created specifically for La Sylphide in 1832 and made a big, bold statement, marking a dramatic change in ballet design. Those gorgeous layered, longer, fuller, tutus added such a fantastic dramatic touch to the overall look – and added that “poised ballerina” attitude we all admire!
Tutus for All Occasions
Fast forward to the 20th century, and the tutu continued to reinvent itself. The modern ballerina tutu was now as dynamic as the dancer, adapting to all different ballet styles, like modern ballet! This helped make the tutu even more prominent in the art of dance, which is wonderful for our history! Oh, how I just love those different, beautiful, flowing movements!
But who said the tutu is only for ballerinas on stage? Oh my! It can also be enjoyed in every aspect of ballet. It’s a delightful staple for any ballet class! That delightful twirling in class and rehearsals never gets old – it just reminds me that anything is possible when I feel fabulous and beautiful in a tutu! The tutu continues to inspire and excite us with every ballet performance we attend. I do feel that it’s one of those things you see in ballet and it never ceases to surprise!
I can’t leave you without reminding you that those iconic tutus aren’t just about beautiful and airy garments! They represent elegance and artistry that have stood the test of time, and now it's time to look forward to the next evolution of the tutu. And I know this wonderful design will be with us for many years to come!
So let’s all continue to be inspired by the beautiful history of the ballet tutu! It’s an enchanting reminder that this graceful art has been inspiring us for centuries. And why not embrace it with a little pink tulle yourself! Don’t forget, darling dancers – It’s always #TutuTuesday and you know what to do: put on your most glamorous tutus and let the world see you twirl and dance!
Your pink tulle-loving blogger, Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
