Tutu Tuesday in Duncan, British Columbia: A Dance Through the History of the Tutu
Hey everyone! It's your favourite dance-loving blogger back again with another edition of Tutu Tuesday. Today, we're heading to beautiful Duncan, British Columbia, where I'm going to give you a little history lesson about tutus and why they’re an icon in the world of dance.
I was recently invited to give a little workshop at a lovely little ballet school on the island, and of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to get into character – which, of course, included a tutu. Let’s face it, tutus are practically synonymous with ballet!
The thing is, the tutu we know today was actually born out of practicality and innovation, believe it or not! It actually had its origins way back in the late 18th century when ballerinas would wear these large, billowing dresses that were heavy, restrictive, and hot.
Luckily, things got a little less bulky. The iconic tulle skirt – a lighter, less restrictive fabric – was first introduced in the 19th century. Ballerinas suddenly had much more freedom of movement. They could twirl and leap without feeling like they were going to collapse under the weight of their dresses! That's a major win for ballerinas.
Speaking of wins, the 19th century was a big time for tutu innovation. In 1832, we saw the invention of the “Romantic Tutu” which is still super popular even today. This one is characterized by its knee-length and light, delicate silhouette.
The “Romantic Tutu,” the little cutie that it is, perfectly embodied the “Romantic” period in ballet. It was the epitome of grace and airy lightness. Think delicate, flowing tulle and elegant lines. This design definitely had a more feminine feel to it.
But hold your horses, that’s not all.
There was a slightly different approach to the “classical tutu”, the one you may be more familiar with, which became popular in the mid-20th century, and it’s known for being extremely short and flared.
While the “Romantic Tutu” exuded an air of ethereal grace, the “classical tutu” focused on highlighting athleticism and dramatic movement. Ballerinas wanted to show off their amazing moves, like complex turns and powerful jumps. What better way to showcase their agility than with a tutu that allowed maximum movement? This classic design shows off all the dancer’s legs!
Over the decades, we have seen incredible variation on the classic tutu designs. Even today, choreographers and designers play with shape, colour, and textures. I have been working with a local dressmaker to create a special tutu for my final solo in our performance for “The Nutcracker.” The fabric will have sparkles and lace, making it unique and one of a kind.
From the very first steps of ballet to the modern performances that capture our imagination, the tutu has always played a significant role in dance. Its transformation over the years has reflected evolving dance styles, giving ballerinas more freedom of movement, and allowing them to express themselves with more style, grace and dynamism! This, to me, is what really makes the tutu special!
No matter which design you choose or wear – whether you go for the whimsical "Romantic Tutu," the classically-shaped "classical tutu", or your own modern, uniquely crafted version - I hope that your “Tutu Tuesday” will be full of twirls, jumps, and lots of fun! Don’t forget to snap a few pictures and share them online with #TutuTuesday #DuncanBC!