Hello, darlings! It’s your favourite tutu-wearing blogger, Emma, here, and it’s another glorious Tutu Tuesday! This week, I’m whisking you all away on a fabulous trip through time, exploring the origins of our beloved tutus.
Remember how I told you that I spend my weekends whizzing back through time? This week I went to Paris, just in time for the June Fête de la Musique. Paris in the summer, my dears! So full of life, light and – oh yes – of course – dancing! It’s simply divine. I managed to fit in some ballet rehearsals while I was there and, being the total fashionista I am, I picked up the most wonderful pink, feather-trimmed tutu in a tiny boutique off the Champs Élysées – I’ll be sure to show it off to you all on my Insta.
As for our tutu journey – you all know that our favourite tutu silhouette – the bell-shaped tutu - wasn’t always around. Did you know it all started in the late 19th century with a change of steps and a little help from the Romantic era?
Now, imagine, darlings, a stage lit only by candles and gaslight, with ballerinas flitting across the stage in romantic, flowing skirts. Their dresses were much longer then, creating a sort of wispy elegance, not a sharp, angular look at all.
That all changed when the ballet d’action – a more dynamic style of ballet – came along. Ballerinas needed something a bit less cumbersome and restrictive, and that’s when the tutu really started to make its mark. At first, the tutus were still quite long and draped but they gradually got shorter, creating more movement. These earlier tutus were still mostly made of silk and very delicate.
In 1832, Maria Taglioni – a real fashion icon of her day – wore a tutu for her ballet, “La Sylphide.” The tutu had layers of tulle and silk, almost like a ballet dream, giving it that lightness and movement. Now, that was a revolution, my dears, a real “oh, la la” moment. And the tutu, in all its pink and fluffy glory, has been part of the dance world ever since!
Let’s jump forward a little to the late 1800s when the famous ballerina, Carlotta Grisi, was making a splash. You can picture her, dear readers, gracefully executing her grand jetés in the romantic tutu – which by now was even shorter, creating an ethereal silhouette. It was quite a daring look for the time! She was a trailblazer in the dance world – but not everyone liked it.
You see, this new fashion choice wasn’t all sweetness and light. Back then, critics and purists lamented this bold new move, comparing the tutu to “a washing-line,” "a dish-cloth," “a petticoat,” or “a bit of puff pastry”!! They had very strong feelings about that, let me tell you.
However, despite these negative reviews, the tutu just wouldn’t be stopped. And so, it began its march through the history of dance. The tutu, my dears, was here to stay.
This magical piece of clothing continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, taking on different styles and lengths, depending on the specific ballet and choreography.
As you might expect, my darlings, there was an era of excess. And there was always someone who wanted to add even more drama and glamour to their performance, or to make a grand statement. That’s why the layered tutus, sometimes with dozens of layers of tulle, appeared – like those fabulous tutus we see worn by Rudolf Nureyev’s Juliet and, of course, by the stunning, iconic, legendary, Margot Fonteyn. These were truly eye-catching, full-blown creations. But, did you know? – they could actually get quite hot, being weighed down with layers and layers of fabric!
Then there is the poetic tutu, the tutu with more fluidity and movement. We can still see that in ballets like “Giselle” or “Swan Lake”. This type of tutu is more lightweight and has a very soft look and feel – making those movements truly stunning. Just try to imagine dancing in such a way in your everyday clothes!
And don’t even get me started on the amazing tutus created by The Royal Ballet’s Designer, Christopher Wheeldon – each and every one, an absolute masterpiece.
From Carlotta Grisi, through the glorious Anna Pavlova, Margot Fonteyn, to the sensational* Alicia Alonso, and the modern-day ballerinas, the *tutu remains an indispensable part of classical ballet. It has become not only a staple costume for the dancers but also a powerful symbol of grace, beauty, and elegance.
That is how the tutu changed from a mere symbol of fashion to something much more profound. And you know what, my dears? There is not just one type of tutu out there. We have short tutus, long tutus, layered tutus, pastel tutus – so many variations – so much inspiration. But, as you know, I'll only be looking at those that are pink.
And the pink tutu, oh, the pink tutu…
But for me, personally, it’s not just a costume; it’s a way of life. My dream, my dears, is to see all my fellow fabulous followers wearing pink tutus for any occasion. And if there is a wedding, a birthday party, or a grand occasion on June 16th – and you are on the lookout for the perfect accessory, let me just say this – don’t forget to get your own pink tutu and take some selfies – you never know who may get inspired. I’ll post all of your pics on my website. It would make a wonderful Tutu Tuesday!
And speaking of Tuesdays, remember to follow me on @pinktutu. And until next time, remember, everyone is a princess, but only the best are ballerinas!
All my love and hugs,
Emma
(p.s.) Did I tell you about the pink, feather-trimmed tutu that I bought? I must confess, it’s super dreamy. I think I might wear it when I visit my niece on Saturday in Chesterfield for her ballet recital.)
