Tutus - An Historical Perspective to Modern Day

Posted: Mar 30, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

The timeline of the tutu starts with the beginnings of ballet but the the tutu proper was first seen in at the Paris Opera House in 1832. Women of the time were wearing large full skirts set on a narrow, low waist. Women wore corsets to accentuate, making the waist look very small. Women were also wearing the largest sleeves of any time in history. The fabric was usually made of brocade. Women wore lace coverings over these dresses as they went to the theaters. This contrasted greatly with the costumes worn by ballerinas of the day who wore costumes specially designed for performance.

The first person to wear a tutu was Marie Taglioni who was born in Stockholm, Sweden to choreographer Filippo Taglioni and dancer Sophie Karsten. Marie was trained by her father and could perform amazing technical feats during the choreography devised for her by her father. She needed to wear lighter and shorter clothes to facilitate this level of performance. The tutu was first worn in the ballet La Sylphide to show her footwork. She performed mainly at Her Majesty's Theatre in London and Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique at the Paris Opera. The music for La Sylphide was written by Jean-Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer. La Sylphide was based on a story written by Charles Nodier. Many of these early ballets focused on the conflict between man and nature or society and the supernatural. The tutu worn by Marie Taglioni is known as the romantic tutu. It consists of a three quarter length skirt in a bell shape and was made of tulle. The shape is ideal to showcase the lightness of the dancer.

Following on the success of the early romantic ballet the Italian ballet was created and with it came the birth of the shorter and stiffer classical tutu. One of the earliest paintings of the tutu was done by Edgar Degas. His early renditions of the tutu shows a very short, stiff skirt made with layers of netting in a slight bell shape with a very tightly fitted bodice. The painting, titled The Dance Class, took Degas three years to paint and was completed in 1876. One of the earliest ballets performed in the classical tutus was performed by Virginia Zucci, known as the Divine Virginia. She studied under Carlo Blasis in Milan and worked throughout Italy, Berlin and Paris. Her most famous works include the Pharaoh's Daughter, La Fille Mal Gardee, La Esmeralda and The King's Command. The Divine Virginia was known for her extraordinary footwork and worked hard to make the moves more intricate. As the moves became more intricate the audience demanded to be able to see the footwork and legs. And so the classical tutu was born which is the style of tutu we see mainly in ballet perfomances today.

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    The original ballerina outfits, when ballet first began to develop during the 15th century in the Royal Courts were the normal heavy dress of the day made from brocade and velvet. This bulky dress severely hindered the movements of the dancers and a special, lighter more flexible costume, worn only for performances was needed.

    By: Ashton Fieldl Arts & Entertainmentl Apr 10, 2011

    How was the tutu so named? Dancers of the time did not wear pants under their ballet costumes which I find rather hard to believe. The audience who sat in the front looking up at the stage could see more than they bargained for; the dancers tutu!

    By: Ashton Fieldl Arts & Entertainmentl Mar 13, 2011
    Tutu Guru

    Tutu.ology is the online marketplace and business platform for the tutu girlie-girl couture industry. Tutu.ology interviewed and featured tutu, corset, and fairy wing designer, Andrea Thornton, founder of Rockstar Tutu! Andrea has taken tutus in a whole new direction and is tearing things up! Visit us at tutuology.com & Rockstartutu.com to find out more about Andrea's funky style, view her complete line, and do some shopping!

    By: Tutu Gurul Shopping> Fashionl Mar 09, 2011 lViews: 151

    Many are looking for ways on how to make a tutu for a baby. Tutus are very popular for baby girls as they are used in a variety of ways.

    By: How To Make Tutusl Shopping> Clothingl Mar 22, 2011
    Tutu Guru

    The world's #1 social hub for the Tutu Fashion Ultra Girlie-girl Couture Industry. From business development to featured designers. Tutu.ology is your industry collaboration guru. Be in the "KNOW"!

    By: Tutu Gurul Business> Home Businessl Jan 31, 2011 lViews: 253
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    I am sure you are reading this article because you have observed the ever-growing tutu business explosion! When I first began to develop my wholesale tutu business seven years ago, there wasn't a tutu industry to speak of. Today there are hundreds, even thousands of entrepreneurs jumping on the "tutu bandwagon" and making a lot of money doing so.

    By: Tutu Gurul Business> Entrepreneurshipl Feb 02, 2011 lViews: 231

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    By: PADl Arts & Entertainmentl May 21, 2012

    Are you looking to create and have a beautiful fairy costume for your ballet? There are plenty of ways to make the fairy costume stand out from the rest.

    By: Ashton Fieldl Arts & Entertainmentl May 03, 2011

    There are plenty of dance costumes that one can get out on the market, but why not get a better one that is made from your own creativity and flare for costume making?

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    Why not make a quick tutu skirt for you upcoming dance performance or fancy dress party and save yourself some money too?

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    You can turn that simple black leotard into a cat with a brown tutu, adorn the basic brown leotard with a black tutu and you have a cheetah! Feeling a little more creative? H

    By: Ashton Fieldl Arts & Entertainmentl Apr 29, 2011

    One easy costume idea for a young girl dancer would be a ladybug. You can find everything you need online to make this adorable costume.

    By: Ashton Fieldl Arts & Entertainmentl Apr 27, 2011

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