#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2027-08-10

Hey there Tutu Twirlers! ?

It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for another edition of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History! Grab your tea and a slice of cake, because we're about to journey back through time, exploring the fascinating evolution of the iconic tutu, the ultimate symbol of ballet! This week I'm back in Paris, the city of romance and fabulousness! The Eiffel Tower is twinkling just outside my window, I can smell the pastries, and today there is a very special show at the Palais Garnier that I'm excited about. But first...

Imagine, if you will, a time before pointe shoes and dazzling sequins! Can you even fathom ballet without the gloriously billowing tutu? Well, it turns out, tutus weren't always the way we know them today! It's amazing how much things have changed.

Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, tutus didn't exist. Ballet was in its infancy, born in the Italian Renaissance, with elaborate, cumbersome costumes worn by court dancers in elaborate and often dangerous movements. Imagine! If we tried to do pas de bourrée in those! My ankles would surely give out. They would wear silk panniers and ruffled skirts - definitely not what I would call "fashionable." They certainly weren't as practical for showing off those impressive fouettés, darling!

But oh, how times change! In the 18th century, things got a bit more flexible. Marie Salle, one of the most famous ballerinas of the time, revolutionized ballet by introducing looser skirts that allowed for more movement, making them much more "tutu"-esque. These dresses, known as "basques", gave the first glimpse of a graceful and more dynamic style! This shift marked the beginning of a glorious journey for the tutu as we know it.

By the 19th century, Romanticism was sweeping through the arts, and ballet was no exception! It was an era of sweeping, emotional stories, where ethereal female characters took flight on stage, and guess what? The costumes became lighter, too! Gone were those restrictive and voluminous gowns, replaced by billowing white skirts called "the Romantic tutu", often made of silk, netting, or gauze. This marked a true turning point in the evolution of the tutu. Can you imagine a world without tutus in ballet?

Then came the groundbreaking creation of Carlotta Grisi - the famous ballerina! The star of the La Sylphide in 1832, who boldly wore a daring skirt four inches off the ground! At this time this was a true scandal, she must have been quite the daredevil! The La Sylphide had never been worn in the style, even though it was by her designer who claimed Marie Taglioni (who played the title role in 1832) had told him, ‘This time, no more bustle and stays!’ This was truly a defining moment in the tutu's journey - we can all be thankful for this lady’s fearlessness to go where no ballerina has gone before.

Fast forward to the late 19th century, and a whole new type of tutu was introduced, a symbol of pure classical elegance - the "classical tutu". This was born in 1874 and has been adapted by every ballerina in the history of time! It's typically made with multiple layers of stiffened tulle, forming a full, round skirt that stops at the ballerina's knees. Think the graceful shape of Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, or Swan Lake. We simply adore this shape - It’s pure ballet elegance - and there’s something about those stiffly layered, frilly skirt tiers that gets us giggling, doesn’t it?!

This tutu, with it's full, voluminous design really emphasizes the ballerina's agility and movement as they effortlessly move on stage, like it's not a monumental effort, oh no! it's just a ballet warm-up.

We love a good classic, darling, but what about all these amazing innovative ballet outfits that come out each season. From the “Modern Tutu”, inspired by fashion, or the stunning “Ballet Street” styles with the iconic, high street aesthetic, ballet has really entered into the modern fashion sphere. You'll often see designs that incorporate intricate details, layers, and bold colours.

Just like the ever-evolving dance techniques, modern tutu styles represent diversity in all it's glory! From bold colour palette inspired tutus, to asymmetrical, abstract shapes, and new tulle blends that really move like silk ribbons on the breeze! Modern dancers often create their own unique designs with exciting interpretations, with vibrant materials that really give the "wow" factor and make sure you know they’re here!

Here’s where the really fun bit starts, I’ve seen quite a few shows across history now, (it’s such a privilege, I think ballet is almost better than shopping). And the show tonight is Carmen, with Carmencita de los Angeles. Carmencita was an amazing dancer, an innovator, and even inspired Toulouse-Lautrec to produce one of his iconic portraits Dancing Girl on Stage (I might just have to add this to my collection, although there is one at the Musée d’Orsay already, in all its splendour). I saw the ballet in 1895 and loved every minute, I was a huge admirer. So naturally I had to see her, she was like the “bad girl” ballerina. Who better to kick up their heels in one of the more innovative tutues on show - this one with silk and a little bit of red for the dress (she knew how to really make it spicy!) A little pas de basque never hurt, either, I have to say. The modern interpretations of the Carmen story are all beautifully staged and very dramatic

## So Many More Styles!

From the Romantic tutu with it’s gentle flow to the structured classical tutus and modern styles of the contemporary tutu, there really are so many designs that tell a wonderful story, don't they? Every time I'm dancing in my class I see something new that reminds me of a fabulous moment from the tutu’s history The tutu is a statement, a vision of feminine elegance and beauty that tells us how far we’ve come - even if it's only to make the perfect shape in that "pas de bourré". The tutu story isn't over yet, we’re living in such fabulous times - what are your predictions for the next few years! Let us know your fav tutu styles!

Did you know the most beautiful pink tutu is the one I’m wearing right now? I picked this little beauty up at a designer shop in Notting Hill in London! So I just had to show it off on #TutuTuesday. Every ballerina needs a stunning pink tutu, darling, because you just have to make it pretty. Don't you agree?

Well, the show is about to start! Time for me to take a front row seat (yes, front row again!), grab my opera glasses and a magnificent bouquet of roses (the smell in Paris! Divine! and a must have with a pink tutu) to see Carmen take the stage, But remember, it's never too late to add a splash of pink to your wardrobe and, even better, grab a pink tutu for yourself - I promise you, it will change your life!

Have a great week, darling!

Until next Tuesday!

Love,

Emma

P.S Don’t forget to share all your gorgeous pink tutu pics! Don't forget #pinktutu on the pink-tutu.com website and I'll see you next Tuesday with more of that lovely ballet history for all of you beautiful ballet buffs!