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Where Did The Tutu Come From?
Ashton Field
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. The first tutu ever has been said to belong to the Italian ballerina Marie Taglioni and worn at the Paris Opera in 1832 at a performance known as La Sylphide. It was called the Romantic tutu because it was designed in the Romantic period of ballet costume history. The Romantic tutu was elegantly long with an ethereal style, made with 3-5 layers of tulle. Although long, the tutu still revealed Marie Taglioni's wonderful footwork.
Each time the tutu evolved in its history it grew shorter and shorter. The reasoning behind this was to reveal more and more of the delicate footwork the ballet dancers were performing. Within fifty years, the hemline of the tutu was sewed higher and higher up the leg. First worn by Virginia Zucci, the Italian ballerina in the 1880's, the tutu ended right above the knee and was known as the classical tutu. Later it shrunk even further and became the pancake tutu. The pancake tutu style is a stiff skirt that comes out horizontally from the hips, with wire within the layers to help maintain its shape.
The last style developed was by George Balanchine and is known as the powder puff tutu. Similar to the classical tutu, it does not have hooping in its design and has less tulle. This makes it softer and more flowing than the Pancake tutu. Tutus bodices come in many styles and shapes but traditionally have the spaghetti straps of the traditional tutu. They can be decorated with the most elaborate designs in sparking rhinestones and gold embroidery. The story behind the "tutu" name is quite interesting. The "cheap seat" ballet audiences sitting in the pit often got sneak peeks under the short lengths of the tutu. Therefore, they saw the dancers "bottoms" and began to talk. The French word for the "bottom" is "cucu" which evolved into "tutu". The tutu was originally designed because it adds to the angelic and magical look of the ballerina's appearance. These days tutus can be made from any fabric from spandex to wire mesh but the iconic shape remains untouched.
Dance Clothes UK has a huge range of dancewear and tutus available online at discount prices. Take a look at Dance Clothes Uk .com
Article submitted Sunday, March 20, 2011 & read 13 times.
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