Hello, my lovely Tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your ultimate guide to all things tulle! Today, as it's a glorious #TutuTuesday, we're taking a twirling trip through time, exploring the wonderful history of the ballet tutu!
As I’m writing this, the sun’s shining and I’m sipping on my strawberry and elderflower lemonade. I can hear the excited chatter of shoppers, because you know me, I’m sitting on a bench watching the world go by in Covent Garden. This is truly the heart of London’s ballet world and I'm just absorbing the buzz of the Royal Opera House – the home of some truly breathtaking ballets and legendary ballerinas!
But let's rewind a little, shall we?
Back to the Roots: The Tutu’s Humble Beginnings
The humble tutu wasn't always a swirling, whimsical dream, it was once…well, rather less exciting. Imagine, if you will, a 19th-century ballerina. They're wearing a voluminous, ankle-length skirt – imagine the layers of petticoats! The ballerinas, bless their hearts, were bound by these huge, cumbersome dresses, trying to achieve leaps and turns with such restrictive garb. You can imagine the sweat and the effort it must have taken!
Well, lucky for them (and lucky for us, I’d say!), the genius of Marie Taglioni, a true superstar ballerina of the era, stepped in and gave the world something revolutionary!
Imagine her, with her slender frame, her grace and agility. This amazing woman changed the history of ballet – and our beloved tutus - forever. She wore a short, romantic tulle skirt called a "tutu à la grecque". This little creation revealed her legs, highlighting her beautiful dance moves in all their glory. That’s when we realised what ballerinas could truly do!
The “tutu à la grecque” had arrived, and so, dear readers, had a revolution. The world had witnessed the birth of the ballerina as a true athletic, graceful, powerful and ultimately inspiring figure. What an amazing woman she was!
Evolution of the Tutu: From Romantic to Modern
Now, our darling tutus weren’t content to just stop there. Like us fashion enthusiasts, the tutus went on a journey of their own, taking on different forms, reflecting various periods of dance.
The Romantic era gave us soft, airy tulle, light and ethereal, flowing like a wispy cloud, and embodying the dreamy atmosphere of the era. Just think of Giselle – a classic ballet featuring an iconic tutu design, reflecting the romantic nature of the storyline! It truly sets the mood for the ballet, doesn’t it?
The Classical era demanded a slightly stricter look, and the tutu evolved with its iconic, layered design, emphasizing precise lines and a sense of grandeur. We see these lovely tutus worn by ballerinas such as Anna Pavlova and the lovely, delicate figure of Alicia Markova, who wore tutus that perfectly balanced elegance with athleticism. This is the era when I first found myself swept up in the magic of ballet. It is truly mesmerising to see such refined movements against a backdrop of lush tulle.
Modern Ballet, well, you could say that the tutus of the early 20th Century finally threw off the restrictions of the past! It ushered in a playful mix of colours and materials. Remember Isadora Duncan and the free-spirited flow of her dancing. Imagine seeing her graceful movements on stage. You would find no tight layers or intricate tailoring on her body – it’s more like a floating dress in all its gloriously liberated beauty!
The Modernists gave us bold, sometimes shocking styles and fabrics that were, dare I say, less pretty! (Though, personally, I think any tutu, even the slightly more… abstract designs, are undeniably wonderful, but each to their own, of course). It allowed for such incredible creativity.
This is truly what I find most exciting about ballet – there are endless variations, so much artistry in even a simple, single tutu, not to mention the different fabrics!
And now, you are likely thinking "Emma, dear girl, don’t go rambling on - I just want to know what’s happening on the *14th of May, 2024!” *
Oh, you're right! Well, it seems on Tuesday 14th of May, 2024, the wonderful world of ballet is brimming with excitement. Here are some lovely shows happening in my little corner of the world:
The Royal Opera House is currently showing the beloved Swan Lake (I’m seeing it for the 10th time this year! I can never get enough!). It truly is a classic that transports you to a magical realm, and its tutu-clad dancers are so captivating!
I also saw a production of Giselle in Manchester – I took the train to see it, and you know I simply adore train travel! It’s so romantic to sit beside the window and let the world slip by!
Birmingham Royal Ballet is also giving performances at The Lowry Centre, just north of Manchester – oh, how I do love the vibrant ballet scene of the UK. They are presenting a captivating triple bill of modern masterpieces and classics. It sounds amazing – oh, the colour combinations!
I must dash off, however. I’m meeting a fellow ballet enthusiast for lunch and of course, I'll be dressed in my very own vintage pink tulle tutu. A special, handmade tutu from Paris with floral embroidery and delicate feathers. It’s absolutely the perfect tutu for lunch at the cafe - it’s oh so chic, but oh so comfortable. I feel as though I can take on anything while wearing this particular one!
Oh, and before I forget, why not share your own tutu photos with me on Instagram! My handle is @tutuqueenemma - and tag your photos with #TutuTuesday for your chance to be featured!
See you next Tuesday! Until then, wear pink tutus, keep on twirling and may all your days be filled with the beauty of ballet!
Love,
Emma
