Tutu Tuesday: #302 The Whimsical Evolution of the Tutu!
Greetings, darling tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad correspondent, whisking you away on a trip through time and into the history of our beloved ballet skirt. It’s #TutuTuesday, which means we're diving headfirst into the fascinating story of the tutu, with a side helping of pink frills and enough tulle to make a swan envious!
Today, I'm setting my time machine's coordinates to 10th October 1837. A significant date for many reasons, but for us tutu-lovers, it's a peek into the fascinating early days of the romantic era in ballet, and a moment where the tutu began to evolve.
Hold onto your pom-poms, darlings, as I whisk us away to Paris. Can you imagine the sights and sounds? It's the Belle Epoque, and Paris is pulsating with life, buzzing with creativity and, most importantly, buzzing with dance. I just adore this period of history. You can just imagine a bevy of ladies, each with a perfectly coiffed hairdo and delicate, hand-painted silk fans fluttering in the theatre as the ballet dancers begin their graceful performance.
On this very day, a young ballerina by the name of Marie Taglioni, with a grace as light as a feather and the agility of a hummingbird, takes to the stage in "La Sylphide". She has taken the daring leap to shorten her skirts, baring her ankles and showing off those oh-so-graceful, swirling steps. The shorter, lighter skirts allow for more fluid, dramatic movements - quite the evolution from the heavier, more constricting skirts that had been worn in previous centuries. Can you imagine that, darlings? Such restrictions for our glorious dancing divas! Thankfully, the shorter skirt brought on an age of innovation for ballet - and it was pink (not to toot my own trumpet) that first took center stage in "La Sylphide". What a lovely vision of femininity.
Imagine my delight at being able to watch this history in the making! And you know me - the girl who loves pink so much that I’m sure my neighbours think I’m the very human embodiment of a giant flamingo. Naturally, the stage, with its flurry of tulle, filled with an array of soft pinks and cream colors - I just adore the delicate lightness of these pastels, such a vision for a feminine vision.
Speaking of pink, darlings, have you visited our website's newest section, the "Tutu Atelier"? It’s absolutely brimming with gorgeous designs of pink tulle, with just the right amount of sparkle. Why settle for any other colour, darling? We even have matching hats for a truly glamorous look!
Let's return to our trip through the Parisian Ballet. After Marie's stunning performance in "La Sylphide" the shorter tutu spread like wildfire through the dance world. In the years that followed, the tutu continued to evolve and be transformed into an elegant dance silhouette. It’s a true testament to the artistry of ballet - it's not just about steps and technique, darlings; it's about fashion, spectacle and breathtaking stories being brought to life!
Of course, there was more to Paris than just ballet and pink tulle (although I could be tempted to think otherwise).
Let's have a little trip back through time - how did you travel around at that time, dear readers?
As I sashayed along the Champs-Élysées, I spotted one of the elegant horse-drawn carriages, those marvelous contraptions that whisk you through the city like a whirlwind of romance. I've always had an enormous fondness for such graceful forms of transport - it's a pity they are now so seldom seen. However, for our time travel adventure today, we will travel with the other kind of "whirlwind": on a glamorous express train. The Parisian railway was certainly in its heyday! Think steam trains, ornate carriages and all the luxuries of a Parisian cafe: the click-clacking rhythms of the wheels, the steam, the whistles. What a glorious journey - like the movement of the ballet.
Oh! and speaking of romance, a most peculiar sight I witnessed: a dashing young man proposing to a lady in front of a stunning art nouveau masterpiece of the city. I always tell my friends, darlings, that Paris has the magic touch. It just does! It truly makes me wish that I could travel through time for longer and visit more of those glamorous days. I'm certain that the entire Parisian art scene was a wonderful combination of spectacle and style! Just picture a gentleman in his stylish suit with a monocle. Then you imagine that Parisian cafe: a delightful whirl of velvet seating, tables laden with pastries and delectable cakes, and endless cups of cafe au lait. A delightful world, I am telling you!
To be perfectly honest, I always love travelling by train, it allows me the opportunity to catch up on my favourite ballet magazine: the wonderful "Dancing Times". Each page filled with photographs of dazzling ballet stars. Do you want to see this? I'll have a peek when I'm back in my Derbyshire home, darlings. It’s one of the reasons I travel by train – more time to indulge in my love of ballet and my tutu collection, naturally. But that brings us to an important topic, and an excellent way to round off our Parisian adventure:
The tutu is a true emblem of grace, femininity and joy! It represents the spirit of ballet - elegance, creativity and pure freedom of expression!
To bring my little foray into the past to a close, darling readers, let's ponder how tutus have shaped ballet - a love letter to the world of dancing, of colour and, of course, to pink tulle!
See you next Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday!
Emma
P.S. I’ve got something even better for you, darling! I’m working on a special “Pink Tutu Fashion Book”. Keep your eyes peeled. It’s a visual exploration of pink through time. You won't want to miss it! We're hoping it will launch around the end of the month - keep an eye on www.pink-tutu.com for the launch.