Originating in Australia, International Tutu Day is a special day celebrated on February 2nd (2.2) by dancers and dreamers around the world to support ballet education and celebrate the world of ballet and how it has inspired the classic tutu, which has become an iconic fashion piece for all ages around the world. Keep reading for more on the history of our favourite garment and how the tutu has transformed over the years .
International Tutu Day 2021
The iconic tutu skirt is an integral part of ballet history and more recently a staple fashion piece. After over 185 years, beautiful ornate tutus are still helping bring audiences into the fantasy world of ballet, where anything is possible. Dating back to the 1830's, some same the tutu got it's name because of the two layers of tulle in dancers skirts which became a slow evolution into more voluminous skirts and delicate embroidery that tells a story.
- founder of tutu du monde
How did the ballet inspire you when you first started designing Tutu du Monde?
Tutu du Monde came to life in 2009 when my then 4-year-old daughter requested a ‘pretty’ ballerina dress and I couldn’t find anything that fit the idea I had in my mind, of something both age-appropriate, and beautiful. This prompted me to design something especially for her, and I knew instinctively I would find inspiration in the beautiful embellished ballet costumes of decades past.
How have you taken the traditional tutu and made it a fashion piece?
I think we can agree to give all credit to Carrie Bradshaw when it comes making the tutu a fashion piece. Who wasn’t swooning over the delicious layers of tulle of her pastel green tutu in Paris, or the short flirty version that made getting splashed by a bus look glamorous? Childhood is fleeting and those precious memories deserve to be cherished, and taking cues from CB, I wanted little girls to feel special in a dress reminiscent of the ballet, but that was also comfortable to have fun in outside of the dance studio.
What do you love about the ballet?
I love the timeless quality of the ballet. Traditional ballet hasn’t changed dramatically over the decades, yet somehow it always feels contemporary, and of the moment. No matter what time we’re living in, it has the power to draw us into the magic through the beautiful dancing and the sparkling costumes. It just never gets old.
Why does the ballet hold another special meaning for you?
Apart from the aesthetic appeal, the ballet also has strong emotional cues and connections for me. My husband proposed to me in the incredibly stunning Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires during the intermission of Nutcracker when we were on holiday in South America. Needless to say, that particular second act was a bit of a blur, but it’s a ballet I’ll always hold dear!
- aspiring ballerina
what makes performing in a tutu different?
Performing in a tutu to me is the best possible way I can get rewarded for my hard work. It’s the highest level of fashion I can ever think of. It’s more than a costume, its a symbol persistence and determination
how has ballet influenced your life and the way you live?
Ballet has influenced my life in a major way. It has taught me about patience and passion. It’s taught me to celebrate the small wins to achieve my ultimate goal of being in a company one day. Ballet has given me a place to belong and fit. I live everyday with the hope and dreams that only hard work can get you where you want to go life.
Originating in Australia, International Tutu Day is a special day celebrated on February 2nd (2.2) by dancers and dreamers around the world to support ballet education and celebrate the world of ballet and how it has inspired the classic tutu, which has become an iconic fashion piece for all ages around the world.
The iconic tutu skirt is an integral part of ballet history and more recently a staple fashion piece. After over 185 years, beautiful ornate tutus are still helping bring audiences into the fantasy world of ballet, where anything is possible. Dating back to the 1830's, some same the tutu got it's name because of the two layers of tulle in dancers skirts which became a slow evolution into more voluminous skirts and delicate embroidery that tells a story.
- owner of tutu du monde
How did the ballet inspire you when you first started designing Tutu du Monde?
Tutu du Monde came to life in 2009 when my then 4-year-old daughter requested a ‘pretty’ ballerina dress and I couldn’t find anything that fit the idea I had in my mind, of something both age-appropriate, and beautiful. This prompted me to design something especially for her, and I knew instinctively I would find inspiration in the beautiful embellished ballet costumes of decades past.
How have you taken the traditional tutu and made it a fashion piece?
I think we can agree to give all credit to Carrie Bradshaw when it comes making the tutu a fashion piece. Who wasn’t swooning over the delicious layers of tulle of her pastel green tutu in Paris, or the short flirty version that made getting splashed by a bus look glamorous? Childhood is fleeting and those precious memories deserve to be cherished, and taking cues from CB, I wanted little girls to feel special in a dress reminiscent of the ballet, but that was also comfortable to have fun in outside of the dance studio.
What do you love about the ballet?
I love the timeless quality of the ballet. Traditional ballet hasn’t changed dramatically over the decades, yet somehow it always feels contemporary, and of the moment. No matter what time we’re living in, it has the power to draw us into the magic through the beautiful dancing and the sparkling costumes. It just never gets old.
Why does the ballet hold another special meaning for you?
Apart from the aesthetic appeal, the ballet also has strong emotional cues and connections for me. My husband proposed to me in the incredibly stunning Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires during the intermission of Nutcracker when we were on holiday in South America. Needless to say, that particular second act was a bit of a blur, but it’s a ballet I’ll always hold dear!
- aspiring ballerina
what makes performing in a tutu different?
Performing in a tutu to me is the best possible way I can get rewarded for my hard work. It’s the highest level of fashion I can ever think of. It’s more than a costume, its a symbol persistence and determination
how has ballet influenced your life and the way you live?
Ballet has influenced my life in a major way. It has taught me about patience and passion. It’s taught me to celebrate the small wins to achieve my ultimate goal of being in a company one day. Ballet has given me a place to belong and fit. I live everyday with the hope and dreams that only hard work can get you where you want to go life.
