Hello my darling dance devotees! Welcome back to your favourite online tutu haven, Pink-Tutu.com. It's #TutuTuesday, which means we're taking a trip down memory lane, tracing the evolution of our beloved tutus through the ages. Today we're journeying to 14th June 2011. Fancy that, I even managed to time travel via the magic of a ballet performance last night in the city that never sleeps! It's funny how many things stay the same, and how some things justā¦ change.
As a fellow tutu-lover from the depths of Derbyshire, I am always delighted to see them gracefully twirling around, whether it's on the stage of the Royal Opera House or at a local community dance class. Today's post number 9364 dives deep into the evolution of this exquisite garment.
From The Stage To The Streets
We often think of tutus as belonging purely to the stage. But, oh darling, think again! This piece of clothing has always been a symbol of grace and femininity, making its way from the theatre into our everyday lives. Now that's what I call versatility!
The Early Days
Way back when, our favourite tutu ancestors were actually... trousers! Can you believe it? Back in the 15th century, male dancers would wear these tight, billowing, white trousers, their inspiration coming from tutus of classical Greek and Roman dancers! You know, those famous Greek statues you see in museums? That flowing style, thatās where our love for the billowing tulle started!
But hold on a second, dear readers! There were some differencesā¦ you know what we like best - Pink! Back in the day, they stuck to just white, which to be honest is quite dull, wouldnāt you agree? Luckily, pink would later take its place as the rightful ruler of our favourite dancewear, thank goodness!
The First Ballerina and Her "Tutu"
By the 1800s, we start to see more recognizable forms of our adored ballet skirts. This was largely thanks to Marie Taglioni, the very first prima ballerina, who embraced an almost feather-light, sheer tulle design. This lightweight garment was quite a change, as previously ballerinas wore a heavy fabric dress called la jupe, which, letās be honest, was not as inspiring to twirl in! You can totally picture it - no flowing movement, very difficult to jump in - not our style at all, darling!
Marie Taglioni paved the way for all of us. This ethereal silhouette, the perfect mix of grace and fluidity, was exactly the design for showing off those amazing ballet moves!
The āRomantic Tutuā ā Oh So Romantic!
The 1830s brought in a more fitted skirt - our tutus got smaller and even more romantic! Yes, dear readers, they started to embrace the bell shape we still cherish so much. You could say it was the perfect blend of elegance and movement ā a visual poetry of dance in every whirl. Itās still very inspiring and still totally fabulous to watch and be a part of today.
More is More, Itās True ā Our āClassical Tutuā is a Work of Art!
Then came the āClassical Tutu.ā Bigger, wider, more tiers of tulle, more to tutu about, I say! They became opulent symbols of a dance movement that embraced extravagance - the ballet world really embraced more being better when it comes to tutu-ness!
Weāre talking a huge skirt of layers of stiff tulle, supported by hoops. Think: āThe Nutcrackerā - a classic example of the āClassical Tutuā making an entrance, taking centre stage, and wowing the crowd with every elegant twirl. Just magnificent. It's the image that pops into your head when someone says āballetā, wouldn't you say?
Let's Be Real!
Our ballerina ancestors would have had the hardest time with these extravagant tutus. They would have had zero chance of actually leaping into the air like the ballet dancers we admire so much, these skirts could weigh 4-8 pounds! Let's give them a big round of applause, these are tough girls who knew how to work those tutus!
So Here's to All the Tutudom!
Our beautiful tutus have seen it all, darlings! They have inspired countless artists, transformed countless lives. In all these years, tutus have become an icon, a symbol, a masterpiece of artistry, dancing onto our stages, gracing the streets, making its way into fashion houses, influencing every kind of creativity! Thinkā¦ everything from a simple * tutu inspired wedding dress* to a glamorous costume for a theatrical playā¦ so elegant and gracefulā¦
Modern Tutudom
Now, letās chat about 2011. Today, our beloved tutus continue to take the world by storm in new and fabulous ways. We are entering the golden age of the tutu, with even more room for innovation and creativity. Ballet designers are exploring all sorts of exciting possibilities and materials! Sequined tutus, pleather tutusā¦ we love that they are daring to play and experiment, and taking us along for the ride!
Modern Dancers, A World of Tutu Variety!
Just look aroundā¦ there are so many different tutus out there now, you could make an outfit out of just tutus and nothing else! We can all have our own tutu style now, something that suits our individuality. This was all thanks to choreographers pushing boundaries constantly, redefining how the tutu can be used, in more than just ballet! We even see it now on street dance scenes, or popping up on the coolest catwalks around the world! I am absolutely thrilled about itā¦ this is what makes our passion for the tutu more wonderful and exciting every day.
Today's Style in 2011, and Me In It!
What would I wear to celebrate #TutuTuesday in 2011, you ask? It has to be a pink tutu, naturally, and a beautiful, floaty dress in soft pastel pinks, like one of those elegant vintage designs that look absolutely ethereal. For footwear, some glamorous, strappy heelsā¦ a ballerina-inspired ballet flat would be a nice touch, of course!
If I were at a theatre, you could find me gazing with adoration at some stunning tutus on stageā¦ a āGiselleā, a āSwan Lake,ā always an inspiration! Of course, the post-show is never to be missed! A stop at a local, upmarket boutique - for new ballet wear, and possibly a glamorous cocktail dress with some gorgeous embellishments. A nice champagne is the icing on the cake for a delightful ballet-inspired day in 2011!
So darlings, donāt forget to wear your pink tutu today and be as glamorous as can be, share it with us on social media #TutuTuesday, and join me every Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com. It's going to be a wild ride. Let's get twirling, until next time! šš©°āØ
