Hello dears! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we delve into the fascinating world of tutus! I'm Emma, your ever-so-slightly-obsessed tutu enthusiast, and today we're taking a little trip back in time! Buckle up, my darlings, because today's adventure takes us all the way back to the 7th of May 1833!
Now, I'm sure you're thinking, “Tutus in 1833? What, did ballerinas wear hoop skirts with ribbons?!” And my dear friends, you wouldn't be far off the mark.
In those days, the tutu, as we know it, hadn’t quite hit its full dramatic flourish! Think of it more like a budding ballet rose, poised to bloom into something magnificent. It was more about the graceful lines of movement, a light, almost diaphanous feeling, rather than the billowing, airy perfection of the iconic tutu of today.
The dancers wore what was known as the *romantique tutu. *This was basically a short, fluffy skirt with layers of soft fabric - often tulle - worn over a tight-fitting bodice. It was revolutionary for its time, much lighter than the traditional long skirts which hindered the free movement of the dancers.
Just imagine it! Gone were the days of the dancers looking like stiff porcelain dolls; they were free to soar through the air, twirl, jump, and leap, creating that sense of magic and enchantment that we still find captivating to this day. And this revolutionary change in costumes is the inspiration behind my quest for spreading the magic of tutus across the globe!
Today, however, we aren’t focusing on a ballet performance or an especially glamorous event, as those will be for next week’s post, dears. This week, it's all about a historic event! You know I adore a good piece of historical trivia, and this date in 1833 was when a most exciting and innovative piece of technology arrived in the bustling London scene. The first public steam locomotive line, between London and Greenwich, opened. Can you believe it?! Imagine that incredible sight – steam chugging, iron horse gliding, revolutionising travel right in front of your eyes.
It was an event that no doubt filled the air with excitement and a sense of progress.
So you see, my darlings, even history itself has moments of great leaps, moments of bold changes, just like the revolution that swept through ballet with the introduction of the romantic tutu. Both the romantic tutu and steam train, while in different ways, both represented progress, bold steps forward, moments where history turned a page, changing the course of the future. And you know what? That's the sort of legacy we should strive for!
And, who knows, maybe in the near future, the world will embrace the magic of the tutu and find that it too is just the step they need, just the new chapter in their lives, for making the world a little bit more whimsical and vibrant.
Remember, darlings, every single Tuesday, I’ll be taking you on a tutu-tastic adventure through the annals of ballet history. Join me next week as we delve into another captivating event or a particularly glittering performance! And of course, my website is filled with more tutu delights, so don't be shy, head over to www.pink-tutu.com
Until next time, stay fabulous, and never forget to dance your way through life.
Emma xxx
