Hello my darling tutu twirlers!
It’s Wednesday again, which means it’s time for another dazzling blog post from your favourite pink tutu wearing, intergalactic ballet babe, Emma!
Today I’m back on dear old Planet Earth, after an absolutely sensational time whizzing around the Andromeda galaxy.
Honestly, you wouldn't believe the amazing tutu fashions I saw. You see, while you lot are busy fretting about which shade of beige is best for a business meeting, I'm out there experiencing fashion as it should be: vibrant, bold, and bursting with personality! I met a magnificent blue-skinned alien with a penchant for neon tutus, and another shimmering being who looked like a living constellation with a whole wardrobe dedicated to shimmering, iridescent pink. Talk about inspiration!
Anyway, let's rewind back to earth for a moment, shall we? Remember how I said I'd tell you about this little trip back in time to my beloved hometown of Derby, nestled snugly in the beautiful county of Derbyshire?
Oh my sweet little ballerinas, I spent a most delightful weekend in my childhood stomping ground. It was full of nostalgia and pink tutu joy! You know how much I adore revisiting old favourites, especially if they're as charming as a Victorian Market full of local artisan crafts. They've really brought out the spirit of Derby in all its glory!
Imagine my glee when I discovered a hidden gem amongst the quaint shops, a tiny, dusty antiques shop stuffed to the rafters with hidden treasures. What did I stumble upon you ask? Why, a magnificent, slightly moth-eaten tutu from the Victorian era, crafted from shimmering emerald green silk! My dear, it was utterly divine. You know I just had to bring it back with me! It's now taking pride of place in my latest pink tutu themed Instagram story (did you catch it? Do follow me at @PinkTutuWorld!)
And then, oh then! The highlight of the entire weekend! The Derby Theatre announced a special ballet performance, a retelling of the beloved “Sleeping Beauty” ballet with a delightful twist. Now, I know what you're thinking – "Sleeping Beauty"? That sounds boring, doesn’t it? But I’m here to tell you, darling, you're wrong!
This particular production added a touch of quirky, a sprinkle of mischief, and even a whole heap of glitter to the classic tale. Oh, it was simply spectacular! My absolute favourite was the choreography, you know me, I'm a sucker for creative movement! It was almost like the entire cast was dancing a joyful poem, and my heart did a little happy dance along with them. You can’t imagine my joy to have seen a beautiful contemporary spin on such a classic! The costumes were incredible - all shimmering velvet and tulle and sparkle. And guess what?! They even had some pink in there! I just knew I would love it!
Of course, it wouldn't be a trip home without a little dose of family. Imagine, the sight of my little niece twirling around in her sparkly, pink-fringed tutu. Honestly, she's a born ballerina! And of course, my darling Mum, with her love of old lace and all things antique. We even stopped by her favourite shop - “The Ribbon & Bow” in the market square. Such an incredible treasure trove for anyone with an appreciation for lovely fabrics and a vintage flair. It’s amazing what you can find in an old town in England. I could've easily spent all day in there just browsing!
Speaking of vintage, dear readers, let’s take a trip back in time for a moment to discuss the history of the tutu, because let’s face it, every ballet babe knows it’s essential to be in the know. You know that old adage, "Fashion is cyclical!" - it applies to the tutu too, believe me.
So buckle up, you pink tutu aficionados! Because here comes a history lesson with a touch of twinkle!
The tutu has been around for centuries, but in its most famous form – that iconic pouffy, layered masterpiece – it actually had its debut in the 1800s.
Did you know, it wasn't just about fashion? The tutu was born of a very specific need to show off the incredible legwork that ballerinas are known for. They had to be able to dance with both grace and freedom, and that's why this innovative garment, essentially a revolution in dance fashion, became an instant sensation. It was truly the birth of the modern ballerina and a significant moment in the evolution of the ballet performance as we know it!
Let me tell you a little secret – there were no single layers, it all came about in stages. Let's have a bit of tutu timeline chat, shall we?
The original ballet tutus were floor-length and just called "dancing dresses" - nothing particularly flashy, mind you. But they slowly evolved through a number of steps and stages.
Here are a few key moments in the evolution of the tutu:
Stage One: The "Romantic Era" - 1830s:
This is where our tale really begins! They were quite dramatic, you know, almost flowing robes - so definitely more a sweeping gown rather than the "Tutu" as we know it. But they were also much longer than our beloved modern day tutu! It's the starting point, folks, it's the time when the world took a step closer to a full-on ballerina fashion frenzy!
Stage Two: The "Classic Era" - 1860s onwards:
The tutu now started getting the layers, the poofing, the airy fluffiness that makes them iconic today! This is where the "tutu" name came in, because the skirt was "tutu" enough! It was getting more dramatic, more fitted at the waist, giving that amazing silhouette, showcasing those delicate curves and that sense of lightness - the perfect blend of practicality and show-stopping visuals!
Stage Three: The "Modern Era" - 19th & 20th centuries:
Here's where we got those seriously pouffy creations – like what we think of when we think “tutu” - but oh darling, the story gets even better! They even started having various styles. Now we had a short skirt version called the “tutu-a-la-francaise” which was what the ladies were all wearing at that point, but also, something more fun, the “tutu-a-la-russe,” a long skirt tutu, which was all about elegance. These designs went hand-in-hand with those fantastic "classical ballerina" styles, where the dancers really looked like fragile porcelain dolls - like swans, like woodland sprites - magical!
And finally…
Now, dear readers, we know the modern day tutu has countless interpretations, but you see those layered tutu's - those iconic puffs of airy grace that we’re obsessed with – well, it was all because of the legendary Marie Taglioni, a ballerina from Italy who made the tutu even more glamorous and introduced the super, super-short style of tutu that’s so popular even now!
Isn’t that amazing?! But here’s another fun fact for you: Marie Taglioni even designed a "tutu de jour", a casual tutu! Imagine that: a daytime tutu. Could this be the start of a new movement – daytime tutus in everyday wear? Just imagine! My, oh, my!
Don't worry, darlings, I'll be getting right on that as soon as my next spaceship journey allows. I have so many amazing, innovative tutu designs swirling around in my head, just waiting to grace the universe!
Right now, my darling readers, my travels call to me. There's a brand-new ballet competition happening in a faraway galaxy where the creatures dress in celestial tulle, and you know I can't possibly miss it. I'll be sure to send a postcard, and who knows, maybe even post some amazing photos of my latest pink tutu fashion finds. You know me, always ready for a tutu-licious adventure!
See you next week, you beautiful ballerinas.
Keep twirling,
Emma x
