Hello darlings! Welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday! Iām your favourite tutu-obsessed time traveller, Emma, and today weāre taking a trip back to 1838! Get ready to pack your best vintage travel attire because this week weāre hopping on the train, not just to London, but straight into the history of ballet! š
Before I go full āhistorical nerdā on you, let's get something straight: pink tutus, like the one I'm sporting right now, are my absolute favourite, but they were still a ways off back in 1838! The early years of the tutu were very much about the practicality of the garment rather than its colour or design. You can thank our French friends for this!
I'm currently in Paris, a hub of ballet and fashion, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of theatre district streets. Imagine it: cobblestones, carriage horses, and dapper gentlemen all decked out in their finest suits - you'd be forgiven for thinking youāve stepped onto the set of a film!
Anyway, back to tutusā¦ It all started with a dancer called Marie Taglioni. She wanted to show off the beauty and grace of her legwork, so she ditched the traditional long, flowy dresses of the day and decided to go for somethingā¦well, shorter. Think ankle-length, perhaps. š
And that, my darling readers, is where the tutu as we know it really begins to bloom! Imagine the gasp, the awe! People in those days weren't used to seeing a woman on stage with so muchā¦well, leg! š±
This new design, often made from tulle and sometimes decorated with lace or ribbons, quickly became a staple of the ballet world, though you might see it referred to as a ātulle skirtā back then. This little garment revolutionized the world of ballet! Think of it as the invention of the ballet worldās power suit, giving ballerinas the freedom and confidence to move in new, more graceful ways!
Of course, no visit to Paris in 1838 would be complete without checking out the latest fashion trends! Letās just say, darling, itās all about opulence. Weāre talking corsets, large skirts, and delicate floral details, creating silhouettes fit for a fairytale! Itās a far cry from the minimalist lines of ballet dancers' tutus. The dramatic contrast is what makes the ballet so fascinating!
Speaking of fascination, what did the ballet world hold for us on this day, November 20th, 1838? š¤ Well, dear readers, there are no ballet shows I can pinpoint on this particular date! You see, in this period, it's harder to get your hands on detailed daily show schedules, as they wouldn't be published in the way they are today!
But Iām not giving up so easily! Remember, my favourite pastime (besides ballet, of course!) is shopping! š I can always glean insight into the ballet world from a little fashionable eavesdropping. There are whispers of a new dance troupe making a splash, all about graceful movement and romantic storiesā¦ And if those gossiping shop clerks are to be believed, it sounds absolutely magical. It's just a taste of the excitement to come for ballet lovers.
That said, it would be rude to leave this blog post without a quick reminder to visit www.pink-tutu.com and check out the whole history of tutus through my weekly #TutuTuesday posts. I have loads of juicy stories and photos waiting for you to discover. Oh, and of course, if you find yourself on this website, do please tell everyone about my mission to make pink tutus the most fabulous accessory for everyone!
Until next week, dear readers! Stay tuned! š
P.S. I almost forgot, donāt miss out on this amazing historical opportunity ā find your favourite Victorian-inspired outfit and dress up like youāve stepped right into this era! Maybe a pink satin ribbon in your hair for a hint of modern flair?
Iām just going to leave you with this: remember, my darlings, tutus are a reminder of magic, grace, and that we all have the power to twirl and spread a little sparkle around the world.
Stay glamorous,
Emma āØ
