Hello darlings, and welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! Today, 27th July 2032, I’m stepping back in time – literally! - to explore the magical story of how the humble tutu came to be the iconic symbol of the ballet that we know and love today. It's all part of my ongoing mission: to celebrate all things pink and tutu!
You see, my dearest readers, it’s all very well wearing these magnificent frothy clouds of fabric in 2032, but have you ever wondered where they came from? It's a story as thrilling as a grand ballet finale, I can tell you!
It was the 1830s my loves, that a rather revolutionary style of dancing appeared in France - a style they called “ballet romantique.” A dramatic break from the stuffy, heavily-corseted tradition of the court ballet, these young dancers yearned for freedom and beauty - literally! And how did they achieve it? Through flowing lines and the iconic tutu.
Imagine, if you will, the magnificent ballerina, Marie Taglioni - the star of this new style! She was an absolute darling, gliding effortlessly on pointe, and, get this, she didn’t even wear corsets! She wore a soft tutu, a light, floaty piece of fabric that revealed her limbs, highlighting her grace. The revolution had begun!
Now, these early tutus were pretty simple, just layers of tulle, but they opened a door to a whole world of artistic exploration for the costume designers. They started playing around with different shapes, lengths, and textures! And the tulle just got fluffier and more dramatic!
Fast forward to the late 19th century - we are entering the golden age of the classical ballet. You’ve got to admire the brilliance of Marius Petipa, my love! The director, choreographer extraordinaire, he knew that tutus enhanced the beauty of the movements and created the most iconic silhouette of all. He revolutionised the way ballet costumes were crafted, and he loved him some layered tutus, particularly those gorgeous “double” styles – a whirlwind of light and airiness that captured the imagination of the world.
Let's talk history - did you know that a classic "double" tutu actually consists of two layers: the top, "overtutu" is short and fluffy, showing off the ballerina's leg line, while the under layer is the classic "tutu de cour, long, sweeping and perfect for pirouettes!” It's simply a triumph of beauty and technical skill, wouldn’t you agree? It's pure artistry.
And speaking of beauty and artistic skill, who could forget Giselle, the ultimate romantic ballerina story? Giselle wears the most graceful "pannier" tutu with a long skirt that just swirls and floats. I've got to confess, I’m just utterly obsessed with that look – pure, feminine elegance!
The pannier, you might wonder, is actually a structured framework that allows the tutu to maintain its shape - a marvel of ingenious design. In a word, divine! It's these pannier styles, adorned with embellishments - feathers, sparkles and exquisite embroidery – that are the true stars of romantic ballets. Imagine twirling around on stage, with your tutu floating around you, creating that illusion of weightlessness... absolute magic!
Today, my lovelies, you'll find tutus of every style and shape imaginable! Short, puffball tutus are still worn for playful "street ballet" styles, those little twirls of energy! I just love those bouffant numbers. Or midi tutus, perfect for contemporary ballet, sleek and elegant with a little hint of je ne sais quoi. They’re so stylish.
But remember - the heart and soul of the tutu lies in its ability to highlight grace and movement and femininity itself. So go on, darling, let your inner ballerina shine - step into a pink tutu, embrace its magic and let it twirl you into a world of joy and wonder. And, I don't have to say it, it'll make you look and feel simply divine, don’t you think?
For this week, I shall end my ramblings about tutus for now. Today is the 27th July, a beautiful summer’s day! It’s perfect for ballet performances! Today in New York I'm seeing Giselle - a personal favourite, the costumes are divine - it's a truly timeless classic. But if I'm in England I am heading to the Royal Opera House for an incredible performance of Sleeping Beauty - nothing quite like seeing this show, you can never have enough fairytale ballet.
But my darling, where ever you are in the world this summer, make sure you get out and enjoy a ballet show! It’s all I can think about at the moment. And don't forget, even if you're not wearing a pink tutu to a ballet class or performance, you can still enjoy it.
Until next time, spread some ballet love wherever you are and have a fabulous week!
Lots of love,
Emma
(Emma is here on this Tuesday by way of a specially designed time travelling ballet box, made of her own design that allows her to use performances and sell tickets and keep all of her travels under wraps with only a select few individuals who know the truth of her travels. All of this funded by Emma’s Ballet tours across all continents and her own boutique where she designs all her own costumes, and helps fashion shows in the future to become more accessible to those with smaller budgets and different needs.)
