Hello my darling tutus! It’s Emma, back with you again on another glorious #TutuTuesday! The sun is shining in Derbyshire, and it feels as though even the little bluebells in my garden are twirling with glee – such perfect weather for a bit of tutu history, don't you think? This week we're stepping back to June the 25th, 1833, and let me tell you, dear reader, something exciting is brewing!
I just got back from a fabulous trip to Paris, which, as you all know, is THE centre of the fashionable world! My luggage was positively bursting with all the latest silk ribbons, frills and ruches! It was simply exhausting! But who’s complaining when one gets to be the envy of the whole salon? ;) My latest creation – a bright pink tulle masterpiece (because honestly, pink just makes everything more elegant, don’t you agree?) – is going to make heads turn on the dance floor, oh my! And oh! There are simply too many magnificent boutiques to mention - my pockets might not be happy, but my wardrobe, oh darling, it’s ecstatic!
But I digress. Back to our history, lovelies. So, what exactly was happening on June 25th, 1833 that I’m so excited to share? It was the grand première of La Sylphide, the most magical and ethereal ballet ever created! Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, tutus weren’t even a thing then!" And you would be absolutely right, my dear! At the time, these amazing, billowing skirts that would become our treasured tutu were not even a distant thought!
The dancers of the time – the early ballerinas – they wore tight, knee-length dresses, something that today, my loves, just looks so... well, confining! Imagine trying to leap and pirouette in something so tight, my dears! No room to twirl with freedom! It just doesn't feel right, does it? And La Sylphide? That sweet, airy sylph, that enchanting creature who is the star of the ballet? She would have felt suffocated in one of those rigid dresses!
Now, to give them their due, the ballerinas of that era were unbelievably talented. Strong, graceful, and with such lovely, controlled movements – but think of the freedom, the airiness we achieve with the flowing tutu! Like wings, we are able to take flight.
While we can’t literally wear those big romantic tutus today and twirl around like Sylphide, La Sylphide paved the way! Think of it like this, my dears – the story of this ballet was romantic, almost like a magical fairy tale come to life. The music? Romantic! Even the costumes, though not the billowing tutus of our dreams, were more elegant than those they had been wearing just a few years before. They had that dreamy, flowy quality. Just a whisper of the glorious romantic tutus to come. And don't forget, darling, La Sylphide, her graceful and airy nature, is a true celebration of everything ballet is - grace and elegance in its purest form.
Just a few decades later, the romantic tutu, that iconic, *swirling masterpiece that makes our hearts soar*, was created and, well, it’s history! We can’t thank those ballerinas of the past enough, my lovelies, because without their commitment, their artistry, their love of dance… we wouldn’t have our tutus!
Speaking of history, don't miss out on your very own glimpse into the world of tutus! Here’s how you can get involved with my ballet tutu adventures:
Join my blog! New #TutuTuesday posts every week on www.pink-tutu.com with even more amazing history insights, tutus of every kind, and ballet news that will leave you twirling with joy!
Don’t forget to post your own tutu pics using the #TutuTuesday hashtag and tag me @PinkTutuBlog – I can’t wait to see you dancing your way into history!
Join me on a thrilling adventure! My next time-traveling ballet extravaganza will take me to the glamorous world of the Ballets Russes! Don't miss out! I'm posting details of how to win a free trip on my website and social media, and guess what? YOU might be the one joining me!
Until next Tuesday, keep dancing your hearts out! And remember, pink tutus forever!
Yours in tulle, Emma xx
