Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another exciting instalment of #TutuTuesday! Today, we’re taking a trip down memory lane, but not just any lane, we’re waltzing through the history of the most iconic garment in dance: the tutu!
As I sip my afternoon tea in my little pink-hued Parisian apartment, I can’t help but feel a bit wistful for the elegance of the Victorian era, but even back then, they didn't have tutus as we know them today. It was around the 1830s, that ballet got its “big tutu moment,” with Marie Taglioni in the famous La Sylphide. It’s said that her tutu, so light and ethereal, with a waistline tucked so high, gave audiences the illusion she was floating, quite literally, like a wisp of smoke.
Of course, back in the day, they called it a "tulle skirt," and the only colour you’d ever see was white! Can you imagine? Honestly, such a shame, really.
But thank heavens, things evolved. By the 1870s, tutus were evolving, becoming less flowing and more fitted around the hips. This is what we call the "romantic tutu." A little shorter, and perhaps even a bit more practical for all those fancy pirouettes! It's said that these early ballerinas really paved the way for modern ballet, giving us more freedom to really twirl and spin, all the while making a statement with that chic shape! It’s funny, because we think of the romantic tutu as classic, but for the 1800s, they were cutting edge, just like the mini-skirt of the 60s or that fabulous neon-bright bodycon of the 80s! It’s all about the times and the spirit!
By the way, did you know that 11th of December this year is the anniversary of Maria Tallchief's birth? You might not be familiar with her name, but if you're a ballet lover, then I bet you've seen “The Firebird”? Tallchief is, for sure, one of the most captivating dancers to ever grace the stage, a trailblazer in her own right, paving the way for so many dancers after her, like the lovely Misty Copeland, whose artistry and sheer grace continues to inspire today!
In the 20th century, the tutu kept evolving, becoming shorter and more streamlined, and most importantly, they embraced colour! They really hit their stride with the introduction of the “classical tutu,” famously popularised by dancers like Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. It is still the mainstay tutu in ballet today! We’ve all seen the stunning white classical tutu of “Swan Lake,” with the beautiful layered fabric, the soft fullness that makes every jump so dreamy, the bodice, with the tight fitted fit and the sheer fabric...simply iconic. And yet, again, can you imagine? They'd never thought of a touch of pink back then! Oh, what an oversight.
Moving on, the tutu had more than its fair share of fun in the late 20th century with the rise of “ballet street.” In case you aren’t familiar with the term, "ballet street" describes that fabulous cross-pollination between the elegance of ballet and contemporary fashion, which started right at the end of the last century and is thriving even more so today.
Oh, if only we could be transported back to 1991! Imagine seeing the iconic “Romeo and Juliet” in London’s Coliseum and seeing the amazing dance moves of the legendary Margot Fonteyn herself... It was during that era that Jean Paul Gaultier started designing ballet costumes, and everyone lost their minds!
We can thank Gaultier for breaking the mould. The tutus he designed, those striking monochrome masterpieces, the sleek elegance, oh, it's hard to express! But it is something you definitely feel, not just in your heart, but in the soles of your ballet shoes! If I were transported to 1991, I would definitely pack my most dazzling pink tutu - just to make an impact!
So, when we’re talking tutus, it’s more than just a simple garment; it's an evolution of style and artistry. This fabulous journey from “tulle skirts” to "classical tutus" reflects not only a change in ballet choreography, but also an evolving sense of what the ideal female body looked like. But even now, we’re experiencing another fascinating shift with the emergence of modern and contemporary ballet. You know what this means? The tutus have to be fresh! More innovative, more avant garde and oh my darling there are so many colours! I just can’t resist a good tutu that makes a statement, even if it is on someone else's beautifully graceful legs.
This week, as a treat to celebrate #TutuTuesday, I’m going to take in a show at Sadler's Wells in London. Of course, you just know I'm taking a pink tutu with me! After all, it's not just about a garment for me, it's a celebration of movement, a touch of magic, and yes, even a touch of rebellion in the face of conventionality! After all, isn’t it our prerogative to always make a statement, be a bit cheeky, and dance to the beat of our own pink-tutu-clad hearts?
Until next week, darling, keep on dancing, and let's work towards a world where everyone feels fabulous in a pink tutu. Don't forget to check out pink-tutu.com and be sure to tell us about your favourite tutu, and let me know where in the world you’d like to visit with me. We can always take a trip down memory lane together, as long as we keep moving and stay positive, and never forget that a pink tutu can make anything feel extraordinary.
See you next week! xx Emma
(P.S: Please do share your thoughts in the comments below! And please like, subscribe, and share. And don't forget, you can always find me on Instagram! My username is: @emmapinktutu )
