#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2004-01-20

Hello my gorgeous ballet-loving darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu's weekly journey through the enchanting history of the tutu! It's #TutuTuesday, and this week I'm whisking us back to a delightful time – 20 January 2004.

Now, as a bit of a history buff (and I know you love it too!), it was fascinating seeing the world of fashion through 2004 lenses! You've got to imagine a world where skinny jeans were absolutely everywhere, low-slung "whale tail" tops were all the rage (the thought sends shivers down my spine!), and, brace yourselves, crop tops were back with a vengeance. Talk about a trip down memory lane!

I landed in London, which, just like today, was a swirling centre of fashion and creativity! And just like the times you all love – tutus were still ruling the dance scene, strutting their stuff at the Royal Opera House, and even popping up in some daring street styles. The perfect blend of elegant heritage and daring trend-setting - simply glorious!

You might think I'm going on a tangent, but what I'm getting at, darling, is that there's an extraordinary link between the tutu's history and fashion's history. Just as ballet is a constant evolution, so too are the clothes we wear!

Now, back to the 20th January, 2004! You won't believe what a wonderful performance I stumbled upon!

The Royal Ballet's "The Sleeping Beauty" was playing at the Royal Opera House and I snagged a front-row seat! Oh my darling, I'm telling you, those graceful leaps, the exquisite choreography, and the incredible costumes... it was simply breathtaking! And, of course, every ballerina on stage wore a glorious tutu. I tell you, darling, it's enough to make any tutu-loving heart skip a beat!

While watching the performance, I imagined all those elegant ladies twirling in their delicate tulle – some long and billowing, others more "romantic", or short and chic *for those "danseuses d'entrées". They'd been designed with so much attention to detail – and there I was, mesmerised!

And you know, I even spotted a *little nod to the "Romantic Era" in their choreography. The ballet was steeped in fairytale wonder, much like how "La Sylphide" and other Romantic Era ballets took inspiration from those mystical fairies. It truly was magical!

Speaking of fairies and tutus, the romantic era of the 19th Century transformed the tutu as we know it! Those airy, gauzy, tulle layers, so delicate and floating – those are the direct descendants of the tutu designs from this iconic era!

Can you imagine how captivating those ballets would have been to the 19th century audiences, just like the enchantment they inspired on me in 2004! What a fabulous thing to experience, to be able to connect to both the past and present of tutu fashion and performance!

After that extraordinary performance, I had to treat myself! As I was shopping in the London theatre district, a gorgeous vintage shop caught my eye! I waltzed in with such glee and discovered the most beautiful tutu! I'll save you all the details, but imagine it in a soft, peachy pink colour, a little shorter than a typical romantic era tutu, and adorned with some intricate, silver lace trims. My heart sang and I practically waltzed out the door! It was simply too beautiful to leave behind, even with my already overflowing tutu wardrobe!

This lovely vintage find also sparked a realization: that even though those "Romantic" and "Classical" tutu styles had changed so much over time, the sheer elegance and romantic charm never left their design. And that, darling, is something that should truly make every tutu-lover's heart swell with pride!

So, after such a delightful trip through the decades , let me give a little insider tip about travelling through time. It takes more than just a little bit of luck and a passion for tutus! You also need a hefty bank account and, if you are a bit on the sensible side like myself, lots of planning and organization! What can I say? Even a travelling ballerina likes to stay organized!

Now, I'm going to spill a little secret about the wonderful ways I fund my travels. Have you ever heard the term "ballerina on a budget"? It's actually quite brilliant, but, you know me - I always try to do it with an elegant touch! I've learned a lot about being an efficient dancer, performing where it really matters! It is all about strategically using my dance skills and knowing how to leverage my charm!

In the more *sophisticated dance communities, a ballerina with charm and knowledge* can make quite the *remarkable career by performing at charity balls, wedding dances, and grand parties! It is surprisingly fun to perform for different kinds of audiences, though the choreography usually *remains firmly rooted in the classic traditions. So yes, it means many long days practicing to get those pirouettes and those graceful "grand jetés" just right! And who wouldn’t love to wear their beautiful pink tutus when working?

And while you may find those “ballroom dances” quite glamorous (you'd be surprised to find some incredible parties out there, trust me, it's fun to rub shoulders with celebrities!), my heart is still set on theatre productions and dance performances! Every time I perform, I feel those joyful emotions and sensations, from a feeling of absolute connection to music, a flow of elegance and energy... those magical moments. They fill my cup, my darlings. I have found the most amazing work/travel combination, because there is nothing better than traveling with passion and spreading your passion along the way!

Now, we are officially entering that part of the post you've been waiting for! That's right, time to get the low-down on what 2004 trends were in the world of dance fashion, in particular, the tutu! It is absolutely my favourite topic so let’s talk trends!

2004 was a little peculiar with fashion. Let's be honest, there were a few oddball choices and a certain amount of trend over substance. Thankfully, the tutu stayed more or less true to form!

The key here, dear reader, is that it is really about knowing the different tutu styles. You’ve got the classical tutu that many ballerina love – the big, dramatic, layered affair; the smaller "romantic" tutu, that graceful and flowing form with lots of layered tulle; the "danseuse d'entrée" tutu,* which was often used in earlier classical productions. It's so elegant! There are so many beautiful tutu styles and designs, but really they have so much in common, despite some subtle tweaks!

A true ballerina must know their tutu trends! And what’s a ballerina to do, you may ask, without knowing what is fashionable, even if those trends evolve over time! And let me tell you, with my fantastic and fabulous fashion sense, it takes quite a bit of planning and researching to know all of the trends. And it definitely pays off when finding a beautiful and delicate, new tutu. I often find the oldest tutu styles make their comeback as trends years later!

And, while trends change, and some tutu variations go in and out of fashion, what's remained is the iconic beauty of the tutu silhouette itself! The way it twirls, how the tulle layers shimmer and flow... and the elegance with which a ballerina can perform in a well-designed tutu – it never goes out of style!

Of course, you'll often see tutus paired with stunning tights (always a favorite of mine, my darling! You need the perfect shade to highlight the tutus delicate nature and create a fantastic visual!) or shoes, which brings us back to an incredible invention from the mid 19th century...

One of my favourite discoveries in my time travels has to do with the incredible development of the pointe shoe, one of the most iconic items for a ballerina! You wouldn’t believe how much hard work and imagination goes into designing that elegant shoe. A truly brilliant combination of comfort, strength, and art!

The ballerina of 2004 wore shoes designed with modern fabrics that were lighter and more resilient. These are, of course, inspired by the very first designs, which were often made using leather. Can you imagine! Leather for ballet shoes? We have come such a long way in designing pointe shoes, making it so much easier to stand on your toes for extended performances. A true example of progress in dance and footwear!

As a ballerina, the pointe shoe is much more than just footwear – it's the bridge between the floor and the poetry we express through our dancing! Imagine dancing those “fouetté” turns, those beautiful movements of the legs as you twist on one point of the shoe… and feeling how graceful your footwork feels as you twirl... There’s nothing else like it.

My advice for budding young dancers, is to keep on learning, growing, and to remember that a pointe shoe isn't just footwear – it’s a symbol of your strength, perseverance, and passion for dance.

Oh darling, this trip through the world of ballet history with 2004 as my focus, has been so inspiring! I find that time travelling, exploring the different ballet communities and different performance trends across history, keeps my soul so deeply connected with my favourite artform.

And don’t forget that the tutu’s incredible journey across the years is one filled with fascinating stories of art, performance, and imagination. Whether a traditional ballerina on stage, or simply a fashion-lover wearing a tutu with flair at a charity ball, it is clear that the beauty and elegance of a well-designed tutu still shines through!

So darling, spread your tutu wings, express yourself, and, above all, remember that there is no place too magical for a tutu! You can find me at www.pink-tutu.com every week on Tuesdays! Until then, wear your tutu with joy, wear it with confidence, and wear it with an elegance that echoes through time! Until next week darling, ta-ta for now!

*Emma <3 *