Hello my gorgeous twirling darlings! Welcome back to another week of Tutu Tuesday, where we dive into the delightful history of the most wonderful garment in the world... the tutu! Itâs me, Emma, your time-travelling ballerina from Derbyshire. Today, weâre travelling back to a magical day in the year 2024⊠the 30th of April, to be precise. Now, letâs get twirling!
This Tuesdayâs trip took me right into the heart of ballet country - Paris, the city of love and⊠tutus! Yes, Paris is the ultimate haven for any tutu-lover. Imagine me, in my own fabulous pink tutu, stepping out onto the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es, feeling the Parisian air fill my tulle and the magic of ballet seep into my very being. It was divine!
On this very day, 30th April 2024, Paris was buzzing with the excitement of the Spring Fashion Week. The cityâs most stylish flocked to the world-famous Grand Palais for a glimpse of the latest trends. But Emma wasnât interested in those pedestrian styles. She was there for the tutus, of course!
My fashionista senses tingled with delight. Every shop window displayed beautiful dresses with billowing layers of fabric, reminiscent of our beloved tutus. They had ruffles and swirls and tiers and frills⊠it was tutu heaven!
It turns out that this wasnât just a fashion whim, these dreamy gowns were direct inspiration from the tutu itself! The world of high fashion had been completely taken by the graceful elegance of our ballerina attire, a testament to the timeless beauty and enduring appeal of the tutu! I simply cannot get enough of the way our tutu silhouettes are being reinterpreted for everyday wear.
Speaking of timeless, let's take a peek into tutu history for a little twirl back in time! The story of the tutu is as fascinating as the ballet itself. Remember my darling friends, this iconic garment wasn't always a staple of the ballerina wardrobe! It wasn't even called a âtutuâ for a long time. In the early days, ballerinas were weighed down by bulky and restrictive gowns, which severely limited their ability to dance freely and expressively. Imagine trying to jetĂ© with a dress as wide as your entire stage! Not quite as graceful, is it?
Well, all that changed around the 1830s. Ballet began to shift its focus towards lightness, agility, and fluidity. Enter, our beloved tutu, the liberation of the dancer. This revolutionary invention, initially inspired by Greek and Roman clothing, freed the dancers from the cumbersome drapery, giving them the freedom to soar!
Initially, Romantic tutus featured layers upon layers of billowing silk tulle, like an ethereal cloud swirling around the dancer. They created a dreamy, romantic effect, representing a mythical figure rather than a realistic person. Can you picture the romantic ballet "Giselle" being danced in a voluminous, dramatic skirt? The movement, the drama, the expression⊠everything would be quite different, donât you think?
It wasn't until the 1870s that the tutu we recognise today, the tutu 'Ă la Polaire' *, took center stage. This new tutu was *much shorter and fitted at the waist allowing ballerinas a greater range of movement. Imagine how that made a ballerinaâs leaps and turns more expressive! The tutus started getting shorter and shorter with each ballet, a real sign of evolution!
Fast-forward to the early 20th century, and a new starlet arose⊠the Classical Tutu! We know it as that short, perfectly-layered, fitted silhouette with layers of stiffened, often pleated, tulle creating that beautiful bell shape. Now this style truly allowed for those impossibly high kicks and daring turns. This is the style most often associated with ballerinas, and still to this day, remains a favourite, wouldnât you agree?
But itâs not all about the Classics, my lovelies! There is a whole world of amazing tutu styles waiting to be discovered. From the romantic and flowing, the fitted and precise, to the more experimental and innovative styles, thereâs a perfect tutu for every dancer and every style of dance. There are pancake tutus, romantic tutus, basque tutus, tutu-skirts... itâs enough to make any tutu enthusiastâs head spin!
And oh, let's not forget the gorgeous colours! Tutu design continues to evolve, and these days we see vibrant colours in beautiful tutus. And even more excitingly, tutu colours and textures are even used as theatricality! You know I love me a colourful, playful performance and colour, to me, can add even more depth and meaning to a tutu and a dancerâs performance.
This beautiful journey through tutu history tells a fascinating tale of artistic evolution and change, driven by the constant pursuit of freedom and expression. Just like a ballerina on pointe, itâs about stretching our creativity and challenging ourselves, always striving for greater heights of beauty and artistry.
Right now, letâs take a moment to celebrate the timeless elegance and graceful beauty of the tutu . From the most classic and traditional tutus to the most innovative and avant-garde creations, they always leave us mesmerized. Every twirl, every jump, every en pointe leap embodies the essence of the tutu, bringing a spark of magic and joy into our hearts.
This #TutuTuesday was a delightful trip back to Paris and a trip through the centuries, revealing the power and beauty of the tutu! Until next Tuesday, twirl with joy and wear your hearts (and maybe even a pink tutu) on your sleeves! See you next week!
Love, Emma
P.S. Want to know the biggest news in the ballet world this week? It's the exciting premiere of the "Romeo and Juliet" ballet, starring my all-time favourite dancer, Amelia Green. I'll be attending the premiere next week and I'll definitely be sporting my pink tutu to celebrate! Do you have any favourite ballet premieres coming up soon? Share with me in the comments!
And don't forget, darling! You can read past Tutu Tuesdays, view my wardrobe and travel schedule on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com!
