Dearest readers,
It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another dose of #TutuTuesday and a peek into the fascinating history of the most wonderful garment known to mankind ā the tutu! Today we're taking a trip back in time, all the way to 24th October 1837. Now, grab your pinkest tutu and join me on the train to Paris! (First-class carriage, naturally - I canāt travel in anything less than style, can I? Especially when Iām sporting my pinkest tulle)
Today's date is a rather important one for fashion and, yes, ballet! Itās the day that young Victoria became Queen of England ā an iconic moment that sent ripples throughout Europe, influencing everything from fashion to societal expectations. And if youāre anything like me, youāre probably wondering what all this has to do with tutus, right? Well, stay with me, my darlings, and I'll reveal all...
As you know, France has always been a pioneer in fashion. From the days of Marie Antoinette and her frills and ruffles, to the rise of the Haute Couture fashion houses, Paris has set the trend. Well, Victoriaās ascension to the throne made it clear that England was also on its way to becoming a powerful force in the world, with a distinctly āEnglishā sense of style!
However, fashion doesnāt exist in a vacuum. During this period, ballet was undergoing a glorious evolution. Ballet performances were no longer just for the aristocracy, but were increasingly becoming enjoyed by all. The focus on the dance form was moving from rigid and ornate steps to a greater focus on grace, athleticism, and expressiveness. Enter the Romantic era. And boom! - youāve got a tutu that is born to express movement.
Just a little while before 1837, a groundbreaking ballet dancer, Marie Taglioni, stole the stage with her innovative performances, where she wore a long, gauzy, floaty white dress. A dress that became the first tutu in its truest form! Youāre all familiar with Marieās dress, Iām sure. Its image has graced books, posters, and even chocolate boxes, so it was certainly a dance fashion milestone!
Marieās gown had an ethereal beauty to it, making the dancer appear to float, and that airy look has inspired generations of dancers ever since! You can imagine all the girls at the opera houses, all decked out in the latest French fashion trends, thinking āI want one! Now!ā So, imagine, dear reader, the demand for the āTaglioniā style, how it sparked a revolution in Parisian workshops!
Our journey into the Parisian world of ballet isn't about simply listing dates and events. It's about feeling the electricity, imagining the silk fluttering as dancers move, and understanding that fashion isnāt just clothes; itās the embodiment of an era! And so, in honour of this day in 1837, imagine me on the train to Paris, arriving just in time to see Taglioniās exquisite performance, wearing my pink tutu! Because, my dear readers, there's nothing more inspiring, more joyous, than the pure artistry of dance ā and what better way to experience it than in a twirly pink tutu, a tutu which itself is inspired by an equally exquisite white tutu?
You could almost say that today we celebrate a tutu-riffic anniversary of ballet fashion! (I know Iām such a good blogger that even I crack myself up, but please do indulge my pun!)
And so, to all my fashionistas, may your days be filled with the grace of a dancer, the flair of a ballerina, and the whimsy of a beautiful pink tutu. Do remember, in the end, what truly matters isn't a historical date or a fashion trend. Itās about capturing that magic of ballet, feeling that twirling energy and letting the artistry flow through you.
Until next Tuesday, my lovely friends!
#TutuTuesday #ballet #ballet history #vintagefashion #parisianstyle #dancer #dance #pink #tutu #romanticballet #pinktutu #QueenVictoria #timetraveler #balletlove
XOXO,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
