Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu! It's Tuesday, so you know what that means... It's time for our weekly delve into the fascinating history of the tutu!
Today, we're stepping back in time, all the way to the 14th of October 1834. Imagine, if you will, cobbled streets, gaslight shimmering on horse-drawn carriages, and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air - ah, a magical time indeed!
And just as the fashion world was taking its own dramatic leaps forward, so too was the world of ballet. We're on a quest to unravel the origins of this iconic garment, so today I'm bringing you a snippet from the world of 1834. I think it’s really important to know what's influenced our beloved tutus!
So, where were we last week? I think it was the mid 1800s and how the Romantic ballet revolutionized what was then known as the tutu! A lovely airy, whimsical dance form in which our dancers could fly! The skirt became longer, it’s very important to mention this for those who know their history, and with multiple layers, all the better to swirl and twirl in! They made the dancers appear even more graceful, floating like little fairies on the stage. Tutu, in this period, started to become synonymous with this delicate and refined style of dance! The tutu became a thing... Oh my, I just love how fashion works, don't you?
My travels for the last few months have taken me all over! I think last week we were in France but I think Paris might be becoming a tad repetitive. I really wanted to venture a bit further afield to experience what the rest of the world had to offer. And that's how I found myself on the train this time, in the heart of London itself! Now, London has always had such a vibrant culture scene! I wanted to know what kind of influence London has had on our beloved tutus.
I think I just have to stop here and say, train journeys have been the highlight of my adventures so far! What's not to love, really? Just a large glass of sparkling wine, and a delightful cucumber sandwich, while gazing out of the window at the lush greenery of the English countryside... pure bliss!
Ok, let’s be honest, it's not always so glamorous. You have to be careful in a full pink tutu on the train - getting a bit squeezed and crushed is no fun - but it’s worth it! So, this time around I tried something a little more practical!
So where are my stylishly discerning readers today? Oh I am so intrigued to see what fabulous outfit combinations you are creating - so make sure you post on social media today with the hashtag #PinkTutuDay and make sure to let me know where you are, I just might visit one day!
For now, London was where I wanted to be - The heart of it all! London was such an inspirational trip, and, what did I see on the 14th of October 1834 ? Well, in honour of a brilliant, charismatic performer I had to see, the famous Italian dancer, Marie Taglioni, the dancer who made ballet so exciting, the Covent Garden Theatre (just to mention the incredible detail on this incredible building that we see to this day!), was lit by gas lamps to perform the spectacular ballet La Sylphide, I tell you the world did seem to stop when she was performing! So exquisite was she in her beautiful tutu!
Taglioni, she is legendary! Now for you readers, you can find some beautiful pictures of Taglioni dancing in her graceful white tutus! You must google, my dear readers! She has truly captured history for the tutu, and now look at it! All you lovely dancers can float around the stage with their tutu, looking absolutely fabulous. All of this began, my dears, a very long time ago.
Well, now that is a fabulous tutu story, what a gorgeous time for ballet! Oh dear me, do you know what? You can find so much beautiful tutu inspiration everywhere - what a wonderfully fun historical trend - I think we might see another return of the white tutus, as it does bring such lightness and grace to our performances and fashion! So tell me, darling readers - what's your favourite type of tutu?
For those of you at home today, who might be feeling a bit fancy (and, you know, it's always a good day to feel a bit fancy!) let’s celebrate with #TutuTuesday. Put on your cutest, pinkest, fanciest tutu, and snap a photo to inspire us all.
Until next time, Keep dancing and keep believing in the power of the tutu!
Emma
(Pink-Tutu.com - www.pink-tutu.com)
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