Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-traveling fashionista, bringing you another exciting episode of #TutuTuesday. Today we're whisking ourselves back to 1st November, 1836, for a peek at the enchanting world of ballet before the tutu as we know it really took centre stage.
Now, before I tell you all about my thrilling trip back in time (and trust me, it was thrilling!), I've got some fabulous news. Did you know my pink-tutu loving adventures have been featured in a fancy magazine? Yes, that's right, a real magazine, full of fabulous photographs of yours truly in the most exquisite tutus! It was such an exciting moment. (You'll find the link to the magazine in the comments below - I'd love for you to have a read!)
But back to 1836! Remember when I told you that tutus, the delightful wispy, romantic ballet wear we all adore, wasn't quite as it is today? Well, that's because it was still in its infancy! Our history today starts with an important name - Marie Taglioni. This ballerina, oh, she was absolutely magical. In 1832, she shocked the world by performing in a lightweight white skirt with multiple layers that let her leap and twirl like a celestial fairy.
It was quite revolutionary for the time, imagine that! While ballet dresses had always been loose to allow for movement, it was more about clinging silk, think floor-length flowing gowns with billowing sleeves. Marie’s new costume broke free from those traditional norms, embracing movement and freedom - it was pure magic!
Imagine that, darlings. While we wouldn't call it a true tutu yet, it paved the way for all those lovely twirls and leaps we adore today! It was an elegant, romantic dance movement where she wore a white cotton skirt with multiple tiers of fabric, leaving her legs bare. This allowed for a level of movement that was never before seen in ballet, truly a captivating and breathtaking sight.
What does 1st November, 1836, have to do with all of this? You ask. Well, let’s put on our dancing shoes, hop onto my magic time travel train and let me take you back to the Opera in Paris. Oh, the extravagance of the Opera Garnier - you just couldn't have dreamt it up, even with the fanciest of imaginations!
Imagine yourself nestled in the velvet seats, watching a young, incredibly talented Marie Taglioni mesmerise the Parisian audience, pirouetting, swirling, dancing the night away. That was exactly what I was privileged to see! She danced La Sylphide, a romantic ballet where she literally floated through the air. The performance was a triumph, and Marie, she just radiated charm and grace, truly a sight to behold!
But it was the costume that was the real head turner. Think about this: 1836 was just 4 years after her first breakthrough costume, and even then, this outfit caused quite a stir. Can you imagine how shocking it must have felt at the time?
Marie wore a wispy, gauzy skirt with billowing tiers, it barely touched the stage, giving her unparalleled freedom of movement, creating the ethereal and dream-like quality that captivated audiences. And guess what? Even if the "tutu" hadn't truly emerged yet, her performance was already an icon of the Romantic era! I was swept away by it, and even those around me, they were mesmerised!
After the performance, I stepped out into the glittering Paris night. Oh, it was simply divine, all that Parisian charm, beautiful lampposts, glittering cafes and grand avenues. I simply had to soak it all in!
That day, darling, I found a little gem - a fabric shop called Les Trois Toiles. What did they have, you ask? Fabrics! Endless lengths of it, with textures and colours that sent my imagination spiralling - think silks, velvets, cottons and lace. You can imagine I was completely in my element.
Of course, I simply had to purchase some, for a future blog post! This fabric is a perfect starting point for a modern-day remake of the legendary "Sylphide" skirt. Just think, a sleek white skirt with a billowing layer of fabric. It will be just divine when I give it a modern touch with a bit of shimmering pink. Ooh my darling, my imagination is simply buzzing! I've even got an incredible design sketched out for this masterpiece, which I'm sure will have my fellow Tutu lovers in a whirl!
Now, it wouldn’t be a TutuTuesday without some top tips for those pink tutu fanatics amongst you. If you’re looking for inspiration, my darlings, it's easy: the world of dance, art, history – you'll find amazing tutus, inspiration for all. And that includes the romantic period!
First up, darling, find a ballet class, or a dance school and let the enchanting world of dance awaken your senses! There is no better way to understand how to wear a tutu, its movement, its magic. Second, check out historical costumes and learn about the iconic looks of ballerinas throughout the ages, all those flowing silhouettes and layered skirts will get your tutu inspiration soaring.
Then, darling, it’s time to experiment. Look around for the fabric that makes your heart skip a beat and think about the iconic shape you want to create, perhaps something simple like a floor-length, flowing gown or a playful tiered skirt. Be daring! Use different textures and create that special ‘oomph’ by adding a hint of pink (as you know, my absolute favourite colour!).
This is about creativity, darlings, not just a perfect shape or the ideal image - express yourselves through the magic of tutus!
As for myself, my darling, I've got a fantastic ballet performance to attend this week in a wonderful theatre here in London! I just can't wait to see a world class production, perhaps one that has even a hint of a tutu – you know I can’t get enough of those romantic, ethereal swirls and leaps!
I can't wait to share all about it next week with you! Until then, remember - there’s a pink tutu for everyone! So get out there, my darling, and rock the tutus with confidence, passion, and lots of pink!
Sending you love and lots of twirling,
Emma 💕🩰
