Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for another trip down #TutuTuesday lane. I'm Emma, your time-travelling ballerina blogger, and I'm here to share my passion for tutus and all things ballet with you. This week, we're taking a trip back in time to 2025-02-11, to delve into the captivating history of the tutu.
As always, I'm in my most fabulous pink tutu, feeling like a dancing fairy as I whisk you off to explore the world of tutus. Today, I'm standing on a bustling platform in Paris, waiting to catch the TGV to the magical world of the Paris Opera. It's my favourite place to watch ballet - the grandeur, the glamour, the costumes, all against the backdrop of history. I always feel like I've stepped into a storybook when I'm in Paris. But before we arrive, let's chat tutus!
February 11th, 2025: What's going on in the world of ballet?
This day was special, as it was the anniversary of one of my absolute favourite ballet dancers - Margot Fonteyn! This British ballerina was an absolute legend in the ballet world. Her incredible technique, poise, and elegance captivated audiences all over the globe, inspiring generations of dancers. She really had this magical stage presence. This day, in 2025, would have been the 99th anniversary of her birth, and theatres across the world would have been celebrating her life.
But what about the tutu, you ask? Itās the star of the show, the ballet uniform that embodies all things graceful, delicate, and ethereal. And the history of the tutu? Well, it's a tale as captivating as a classical ballet itself. It's full of transformation and evolution. I'll admit, the earliest tutus weren't always glamorous. They started out as basicallyā¦ well, a pair of loose trousers. Back in the 17th century, they were called āpantaloons,ā and, while comfy enough to move in, they weren't the flowing beauties we see today. They even made men wear them - think powdered wigs and elaborate hats! The focus was on showing off skill, not on creating dramatic, ethereal silhouettes.
But then came a ballet superstar in the 1800s. Enter Marie Taglioni, the ballerina who basically changed the face of the tutu, and who I believe will forever be remembered as the true queen of the tutu. She wore an insanely lightweight, white tulle dress that skimmed her figure like a cloud.
In fact, this is actually how the modern tutu began - in 1839 when Marie wore a full-length, layered tulle dress that moved like smoke in a ballet performance called La Sylphide. Game changer!
It wasn't just the design that revolutionised the ballet world, but how it made Marie's dance move. She danced like she was on air! She was the first to dance on pointe (dancing on the tips of the toes) and, with those lightweight tulle skirts flowing around her, it was as if she was a creature from another realm. She literally redefined femininity with her moves.
This groundbreaking tutu, known as the Romantic tutu, wasn't just a dance-friendly fashion statement. It represented a break from the traditional strictness of ballet and paved the way for a new era of fluidity and expressive movement.
And you know, the transformation didn't end there. Just a few decades later, another incredible female ballerina (I'm sure you can see the theme here) made another impact! Carlotta Grisi created a new silhouette with what we know today as the "classical tutu," or the "bell tutu." It's the type of tutu most people think of, that shorter, fluffy tutu that swirls dramatically when the ballerina spins, and itās still a staple of the ballet world today.
Of course, tutus kept evolving. They went from those bell-shaped, multi-layered frilly masterpieces, to becoming tighter fitting. You could even find a ballerina in a leg o' mutton tutu, with a tighter fit around the hips. But every tutu evolution had a purpose - it allowed the ballerina to show off more technique and even more intricate footwork.
Even in the 20th and 21st centuries, we see continued evolution. The * Romantic Tutuā is still the symbol of ballet grace and fragility, often appearing in shows such as āGiselle.ā
We have even seen ballet experiment with a whole new kind of āballet casualā inspired by street fashion and everyday clothes, where ballerina flats and the classic leotard make appearances on a wider stage, but even then - you canāt have āballetā without the tutu. It remains the absolute icon for all things feminine and beautiful.
I know what you're thinking - tutus are pretty but where can I get one?! Luckily for you my darlings, I've had this amazing experience exploring the past and present. My time-travelling exploits give me access to all kinds of fabulous boutiques and dancewear shops. From vintage shops in London to bustling Parisian designer stores, I've found some pretty incredible tutus. If you want to see my top 5 tutu shops - let me know in the comments.
So, next time you see a ballet dancer twirling gracefully across the stage in a tutu, take a moment to appreciate the journey the tutu has taken. Itās a symbol of ballet evolution and history, representing the evolution of dance as well as an expression of artistic passion. I have a personal passion to inspire every girl to feel like a graceful, strong ballerina inside, and that can be achieved in all shapes, sizes and styles, as long as you are wearing a pink tutu, of course. š
Remember my darlings - we can all find our own fairy tale through the power of a pink tutu! Iām off to see a performance of La Sylphide at the Paris Opera! Youād better believe Iām going in a pink tutu too. See you all on the next #TutuTuesday! šš©°
Donāt forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com to join our tutu-loving community. š
Until then, my darlings, keep dancing, keep dreaming, and never be afraid to embrace the pink!
