Greetings from the fabulous, tutu-tastic city of Paris! Itâs me, Emma, your resident pink tutu aficionado and time-traveling ballet blogger, bringing you another week of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! Todayâs topic is a special one â weâre diving into the delightful evolution of the tutu, right here in the heart of its home!
As Christmas nears, the air crackles with excitement â Parisian shops are ablaze with twinkling lights and the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the streets. My wardrobe is overflowing with festive pinks, from candy-floss coloured cardigans to the fluffiest, most delightful tutu Iâve ever seen, and believe me, I've seen a few! This week I've been indulging in a whirl of Christmas markets, enjoying hot chocolate in tiny cafes and, of course, absorbing the vibrant ballet scene. Paris always has a magic spell, but itâs especially potent in December.
This time, however, I'm not here solely to experience the Christmas cheer. Weâre in Paris because the City of Lights is also the cradle of the tutu, the delicate masterpiece that defines the ballerina, adding grace and fluidity to the very fabric of their artistry.
Now, my lovely Tutu Tribe, you might be surprised to hear that the modern tutu wasnât always so, well, modern! We've had a fabulous fashion journey, a beautiful transformation over the centuries to get to the magnificent creations we adore today!
Tutus through Time
Letâs journey back, shall we? Imagine yourself at the Paris Opera House in the 19th century. The dancers, instead of flitting around in billowing, knee-length tutus, are sporting, well⊠long, full-length skirts. No, not those gorgeous swirly tulle skirts we know and love, these were more reminiscent of everyday attire, and far less flattering! But fear not, this is where our Tutu History begins to spin!
A Skirt Gets a Makeover
The story begins with a ballerina called Marie Taglioni. In 1832, she burst onto the stage in âLa Sylphideâ wearing a radical, daring creation! It was the first iteration of the tutu as we know it! No more long, heavy gowns; this tutu was short, revealing her legs in their beautiful movement. Gone were the fussy ruffles of the era; this new creation was made of billowing layers of tulle â lighter than air, like a graceful whisper of a dress!
It caused a sensation. Can you imagine, Tutu Tribe, the whispers through the audience as she pirouetted in that ethereal, revolutionary garment? The world of dance was forever changed. From that moment on, tutus were born â and what an elegant evolution it's been!
Beyond Ballet:
Donât think for a moment, however, that tutus belong solely on the grand stages of the world. Itâs important to remember that tutus are a cultural phenomenon â the perfect canvas for individual expression, beyond the boundaries of the dance world. Today, youâll find tutus everywhere - in the streets, on runways, at music festivals. It's a symbol of individuality, playfulness, and an embrace of a touch of magic! I always encourage you to have fun with your tutus, ladies! There's a world of creative ways to wear them and showcase your unique personality.
Tutu Trends and Inspirations
Here are some fabulous facts and fancies, Tutu Tribe:
Victorian tutus were all about tiers and flounces, making them as dramatic as the era itself. The Romantic Ballet had a serious style!
1850s tutus shifted gears, and tight-fitting corsets were incorporated, showing the exquisite lines of the dancer. Ballet wasn't all about frothy drama then - it was all about the figure!
Around the 20th century, it was all about modernisation, and we saw variations of the classical tutu with more pared-back styles and daringly, sometimes less, fabric! We even had pancake tutus - very flat, allowing incredible leaps and fouetté turns.
The Tutu: A Cultural Icon
For many, the tutu remains a symbol of dreams, elegance and aspiration. It evokes stories of the elegant ballets of the past and the exciting, contemporary dances of today. Every performance I watch makes me realise the magical, ethereal power that a simple piece of clothing, like a tutu, can bring to the stage and to our imaginations!
My Pink Tutu Musings
So there you have it, my lovely Tutu Tribe. From those grand 19th-century designs to today's captivating and playful variations, the tutu is a fascinating, transformative and simply beautiful emblem of art and beauty.
What will the tutu's evolution hold in the future? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: whether it's made from fluffy tulle, delicate silk, or any material under the sun, I have no doubt that it will continue to enchant us with its grace and wonder!
Don't forget to wear your pink tutus with pride! And let's keep dancing our way into a fabulous new year filled with even more amazing ballet history and enchanting fashion finds!
See you next week, my dearest tutu-loving friends! And don't forget, you can catch me strutting my pink stuff at my favourite Paris haunts - the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es, Palais Garnier, and Le Marais, a treasure trove of vintage stores that is, well, a pink tutu dream!
Emma xox
www.pink-tutu.com
Stay tuned for more Tutu Tuesday blog posts next week.
A Little Christmas Extra
This week is a truly magical time in Paris! You can't beat the magic of walking past the iconic Eiffel Tower twinkled with lights and festive decorations. Don't forget to explore the iconic MarchĂ© de NoĂ«l (Christmas Market) in the heart of the city! Filled with local artisan crafts and delicious food stalls â you'll want to make a day of it! Just imagine me, shopping for my own pink Christmas treasures while wearing my newest (sparkly!) tutu. It doesn't get much better!
And lastly... Happy Christmas!
If you're in Derbyshire, Iâm putting on a show at The Chesterfield Arts Centre, performing excerpts from 'Giselle' on 25 December! What better way to spend your Christmas than with me in a twirling tutu and some classical ballet? I hope to see you there, darlings!
Stay pink, my lovelies, and remember, everyday can be #TutuTuesday!
This blog is not associated with the Chesterfield Arts Centre, but I've loved performing there!
