Hello my gorgeous tutu-loving friends! It’s Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing time-travelling guide to all things ballet. Welcome back to #TutuTuesday, where we explore the fabulous history of the tutu.
Today, the 9th of April 2030, we're whisked away to Paris, the very heart of the ballet world.
As always, I'm donning my favourite pink tulle confection. It’s a showstopper, darling, a veritable cloud of pink swirling around my knees! This little number makes me feel as light as a feather, like I can float on air, and trust me, that’s how I felt walking the cobblestone streets of Paris this morning!
And it's no coincidence I'm in Paris on this very date, because April 9th 2030 marks a significant anniversary: the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first ever ballet performance held entirely in virtual reality! Yes, you read that right. Virtual reality has totally revolutionised how people experience ballet, and I have to say, it’s truly spectacular. You get front row seats for all the world's best ballets without ever leaving your home! Can you imagine? The future is truly amazing, isn't it?
Now, let’s rewind the clock back to the very first tutu. As we've discussed before, the humble tutu has had a colourful history. It all began way back in the Romantic era, in the early 1800s, where a fashion revolution was afoot! They called it the “Romantic Revolution”, you know. And yes, I love it just as much as you do!
Our romantic ballet heroines, like Marie Taglioni and Fanny Cerrito, started moving freely on the stage in light and floaty dresses – they moved like fairies, like whispers of gossamer, their long, swirling gowns becoming almost ethereal! This was such a drastic change from the cumbersome, floor-length skirts worn by the dancers before. The Romantic ballerinas yearned for freedom and beauty, a way to express the poetry of movement without feeling weighed down. The answer?
Tutus! They were lighter and airy, revealing the dancer’s beautiful limbs, giving a whole new dimension to ballet movement.
Now, as you know, this wasn't some grand overnight revolution! Fashion, even tutu-related fashion, takes time! We're talking evolution here, dear reader. The iconic tutu took shape over time, developing from its initial "longer, softer" style. Those longer versions still had the elegant “romantically fluffy” look, they just covered the feet and ankles. This gave the dancers that beautiful swishy elegance when they spun and danced.
One of my favourite eras is the era of the Romantic Ballet, with all its swirling tulle, lovely, sweeping movements, and a deep sense of expression. I'm all about being romantic and beautiful – a graceful tutu like my pink number is absolutely a way to achieve that!
But as the 19th century rolled in, our lovely ballet world began to experience the impact of new techniques. Ballet itself was evolving! It needed to be able to handle the breathtaking agility of the new generation of ballerinas – think Carlotta Grisi! She was a stunning beauty known for her jumps, spins and lightness – she practically flew across the stage! That called for a different type of tutu! A shorter, tighter-fitting one that enabled these phenomenal moves which would come to be known as the “classical” or “tutu paquet” — it allowed them to reach out in beautiful arabesques and jump and twirl to their hearts' content, and boy oh boy, did those early ballerina superstars bring those moves! That era truly shaped the world of ballet, just like these revolutionary ballerinas reshaped the tutu.
It's no wonder these two iconic garments – the “romantically fluffy” and the “tutu paquet” - remain pillars of ballet performance today, in all their fabulous beauty. In the grand traditions of classical ballet, we can still see dancers adorned with those styles. They stand out for their beautiful form and graceful structure and continue to enchant us as they twirl and leap and weave stories with their exquisite bodies.
From the first time I stepped into a ballet class, I was drawn to the beautiful form of a tutu – it just feels perfect and magical and completely and utterly delightful. I think every single woman on this planet should own one. They’re for every single body and every single woman – you just have to find the right pink one for you, like the one I’m wearing today!
So you see, my darlings, the evolution of the tutu tells a captivating story, as rich and fascinating as any ballet performance. I’ll be back next week with another thrilling chapter. Until then, keep on dancing!
Oh, and do I have a treat for you today! Remember I told you how excited I was about virtual reality ballet in Paris? I’m not just going to see the anniversary performance! I’m actually performing myself – yes, YOU heard that right. You could say it’s my tutu debut of sorts! Can’t wait to see you all there, digitally, of course!
Next week's Tutu Tuesday:
Next week I'm exploring the glamorous evolution of the ballet shoe! It's truly a story full of glamour and sparkle, as ballet's dancing shoes become increasingly intricate and decorative. Who knows what glamorous discoveries await? Stay tuned, darlings!
*Yours in Pink, *
Emma
