Hello darlings! Emma here, your very own tutu-clad time traveller, and it's a glorious #TutuTuesday, so grab your pinkest frock and settle in for a fabulously frivolous journey into ballet history!
2028, 11th July – Oh, What A Feeling!
Let's talk about today! It’s a sizzling Tuesday, and while I'm back in the shimmering heart of London town, today I'm imagining myself transported to Paris – ooh, la la! The Eiffel Tower, gorgeous cobbled streets, croissants the size of your head… and the fabulous ballet performances of the Opéra National de Paris. Today’s a great day for ballet because there are some cracking shows scheduled around the world.
But back to the past for just a moment – Did you know, darlings, that July 11th, 2028 marks the 215th anniversary of the birth of one of ballet's most famous choreographers - Marius Petipa! Now, for those of you new to this ballet journey, he was the man behind the iconic choreography for ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ – a show that’s literally brought the house down all around the world, year after year. I bet you didn’t know his birthday, but it’s definitely a day to raise a glass of Champagne (with extra bubbly!) to this legendary choreographer, don’t you think?
Back To The Beginning - When The Tutu Took Shape
Now, this week's trip down ballet history lane is going to be very special – it's time to celebrate the origins of those glorious tutus! I mean, they're practically made for twirling, aren’t they? You couldn’t really get through a ballet without a magnificent tutu to swirl in, could you?
It all began back in the late 18th century – the time of big skirts, bustles, and wigs (thank goodness those don’t exist in today’s world of effortless hair!), when women's fashion was incredibly restrictive. Imagine wearing a whalebone corset under all those layers - brrr!
Cue the French Revolution! And what a transformation it caused! In came simpler silhouettes, a taste for the natural, and less-fussy attire. And so the stage embraced these changing trends, creating dance garments that allowed ballerinas to move more freely. The first real, real real tutus were born, darlings! Imagine, they were basically very simple skirts, made from light materials, but still retaining the idea of that gorgeous fullness around the hips. These early tutus, often worn with colourful fabrics, enabled dancers to show off their amazing technical skill, which was quite literally revolutionary at the time!
Now, the romantic tutu of the early 19th century – those short, gauzy skirts, became almost synonymous with ballet – a delicate dream floating across the stage! Imagine the magical ethereal image of those lovely, early, Romantic tutus... pure poetry in motion, darling!
A Glimpse of Tutu Evolution - And The Perfect Pink!
In the latter half of the 19th century, the tutu began to evolve – adding layers and layers, and the shape became increasingly conical, giving dancers even greater freedom to jump, turn and dance with those wonderful flowing movements that ballet is known for. We had a bit of an explosion in creativity - tutus became more intricate, using every color under the rainbow! Now that is exciting, don't you agree?
But we’re talking about #TutuTuesday here, so, obviously, we have to chat about the ultimate tutu colour – pink! For those of us in the know, there's a certain magic about pink, darlings, and for centuries now it’s been associated with ballet! Imagine those delightful tutus on the stage - it's like watching a flower blooming in a dance!
If you've got the time, grab a vintage ballet programme and just look at the iconic costumes. You'll see a cascade of pinks – from the softest, most delicate blush tones, to shocking bright, playful fuchsia shades - oh, so exciting! It truly makes ballet look even more magical. Pink and ballet have an incredible bond – it's one of those love-affairs destined to last forever.
A Trip To The Ballet - Shopping For Inspiration!
Oh, but let’s get back to my latest travels – I'm absolutely besotted with the way ballet costume designs have been incorporating more modern touches lately! From the sleek and stylish, minimalist designs that perfectly showcase the dancer’s silhouette, to tutus that combine delicate, romantic layers with a contemporary feel – the beauty and the innovation are inspiring.
And have I got the perfect shop for you in London: 'A Swan's Tale.' Tucked away on a quiet side street, just off Piccadilly Circus (a fabulous location if ever there was one!) 'A Swan’s Tale' is the place to go for everything ballet-related. It has gorgeous costumes, shoes, even the cutest tutus in all the rainbow colours, plus loads of great books on ballet history and the iconic choreographers who inspired us all! If you’re looking for some tutu inspiration, then I'd grab your shopping basket and go straight there. I’ve personally been inspired to add a glorious turquoise tutu to my collection – just in time for summer, darlings!
Onward, Ballet Lovers!
There’s no place quite like the ballet for inspiration, and my fellow pink tutu lovers – just keep following your dreams. You never know where they might take you. Now, I’m off for some shopping for my next performance, so do leave a comment – let me know your thoughts on tutus and ballet and I’ll catch you all next Tuesday for a new #TutuTuesday – the adventure never ends!
