Hello my gorgeous ballet-loving beauties!
It's me, Emma, back with another edition of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History. Today, we're time-travelling all the way to May 13th, 2031.
Buckle up, my dears, because we're going to be swirling through time with some seriously exciting history. And if there's one thing we ballet enthusiasts love more than a perfect pirouette, it's a little peek into the fascinating evolution of our beloved tutus!
Before we go spinning into the future, a quick update: It's been an incredible couple of weeks, my loves. I was in London for a spectacular showing of Giselle, which absolutely took my breath away! I even had the most divine time afterwards shopping at Liberty – did I tell you about the exquisite pink tulle I found? Honestly, you wouldn't believe the fabulous creations I've already conjured up in my head! And of course, I caught a delicious afternoon tea with a dear friend.
Speaking of friends… How do you feel about pink tutus, my dearest ballet fans? Now, you all know how much I adore them! I believe that everyone, from grandmas to grandpas, should wear one, if only once in their lives. Why? Because life is too short to be dull, and tutus make everything infinitely more joyful.
And now, back to our voyage into the exciting history of tutus.
As we zip into May 13th, 2031, I have to admit – it’s quite a change from our present. Not too much of a change, thankfully. Ballet remains as magical as ever, but the tutus themselves have gotten quite an interesting makeover! They're no longer just the fluffy, layered masterpieces we adore. Now, they’ve got a whole new dimension – they’re interactive.
Yes, you heard right! There are now tutus that change colours, sparkle and even have LED lights built in. Can you imagine that? I mean, it would make the stage performances spectacular, wouldn't it? I must confess, I am absolutely itching to get my hands on one of these dazzling, future tutus.
Imagine, my lovelies, if I could have one that changed colours every time I twirled? Oh, the fun we would have! Maybe with some special designs and maybe some special light features. The possibilities are endless! It just adds a new, incredibly vibrant layer to ballet. I can't wait to see how they further evolve – the possibilities are absolutely exhilarating!
Speaking of the possibilities, this reminds me of one of the absolute game changers in ballet history: the rise of the short tutu.
We all know that tutu came from a French word: tutu. (Imagine it with a really fun French accent!). You might not know this but before it took on that name, the dancers wore Romantic tutus. These were floor-length dresses that were really more like elaborate dresses, more like they are used for historical dancing. There is evidence in these gowns to suggest how tutus got their shape but then after Giselle, and during La Sylphide, the design morphed to become more as we know it now. Now the idea was to highlight a woman’s silhouette as she danced and was to help to give more emphasis to leg lines. This new kind of dance had its place.
Can you imagine just what it would be like to perform in those long romantic tutus? I can just imagine a long satin gown, soft and billowy – it would be a completely different way of dancing! Just imagine the impact it could make on a theatre.
However, my dears, a long dress was not practical for this new kind of dance. It wasn't all that fun or practical to whirl and jump with such a large skirt - what a nightmare that would be!
Enter, the short, iconic, iconic ballet tutu!
This evolution, like everything in ballet, took a whole bunch of time, from the 1830s onwards. There were different lengths and layers to get through to arrive at the tutus of today. Some have longer layers for dramatic effect, some have shorter, tighter ones that suit their purpose. It’s been an exciting process of growth. And it still is.
If we jump ahead again from 2031 to present-day 2023 – what a joy it is to wear tutus! So easy and comfortable. They let us move with such freedom. And they look simply glorious on everyone. Imagine if you had never tried on a tutu? Now would be the time. The tutu shape – a timeless symbol of grace, agility, and creativity. Every girl who has ever gone to a ballet class, whether she is at a prestigious academy in New York or a school hall somewhere in the Derbyshire Peak District, will know that magic, I just know it.
Anyway, my dears, back to 2031. As much as it is easy to travel from one year to another for our weekly Tutu Tuesday, I think the next time we head off, we might visit a place called Moscow. You know that legendary ballet scene. Why do you think I travel, do you think? Of course! It’s to see a performance! I could imagine seeing the Bolshoi Theatre, even better with an audience. Now that’s an amazing place to watch ballet! What is more fantastic is the tradition that runs through the theatre itself and how the legacy of ballet lives on! The best part - it would be easy to get there by train. How fantastic! Who wants to come with me! I think that there are some fabulous boutiques on Gorky Street, for us to have a spot of window shopping afterwards…
Now off I go my dears, have a fantastic rest of your week and I’ll see you next Tuesday for our next journey on #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History. Have a lovely time doing a pirouette in your best pink tutu… and if you haven’t worn a tutu, give it a try! I believe that it is simply divine!
Yours truly,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
