Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tulle and twirls! It's #TutuTuesday, and I'm your ever-so-slightly time-traveling guide to the fascinating history of our favourite dancewear. Buckle up, darling, as we take a little train ride to Paris! 🚄
Today, it's the 25th June, 1839. A sweltering Parisian summer, I bet. Imagine, all those ladies in their corseted gowns and hats, while I'm here in my comfy pink tutu, flitting between eras! I think I'd make quite the sight, a delightful pink flamingo in a sea of sombre hues. 😉
But, alas, today isn't about me. It's about the tutu itself, the quintessential symbol of grace and elegance! Now, while the tutu might look like it popped straight out of a fairytale, the reality is slightly more, shall we say, "grounded." 😉
Believe it or not, my dearest readers, tutus weren't always these floaty masterpieces of tulle! Back in the early days, they were quite different. Imagine - skirts that dragged on the floor, and yards and yards of fabric! It wouldn't be easy getting any sort of twirl going!
Well, that was until Marie Taglioni, our "Tutu Queen", burst onto the scene! You see, she wanted a skirt that didn't get in the way, and, more importantly, one that showed off her incredible moves. Think about it, a long, bulky skirt - it just wouldn't work for leaping and pirouettes!
That's when she worked her magic. She teamed up with the brilliant costume designer, Paul Camille Lormier (he actually ended up with the rather snazzy nickname "Le Chevalier de Lormier" ), and together, they changed ballet forever. The year is 1832 - picture a young, daring, and wonderfully innovative dancer in her early 20s. Now picture that same dancer in a brand-new, innovative garment! The first tutu was born!
Marie took centre stage in La Sylphide in her groundbreaking costume. Forget floor-dragging! It was a light and airy, just above the knee design - something a ballerina could really move in. And what do you know, it looked utterly divine! Imagine those swirling layers of tulle! You could hardly ask for a more perfect silhouette, wouldn't you say? It set off her stunning figure, creating the silhouette we all love to this day. She became a sensation, and the "tutu" became synonymous with ballet.
You can see her influence, dear readers, in every ballet performance you go to!
As for me, well, it's all about tutus! 🩰 I just love seeing those beautifully made creations onstage! I find a new style every week that I love to copy, then I rush out and grab some fabulous tulle myself and give my sewing machine a good workout. You simply can't deny that tutus are one of the most beautiful things ever. 😉 I've even taken to wearing pink ones as part of my everyday wardrobe. The more tutus, the better, in my opinion!
Speaking of amazing ballet, did you know, this very week in 1839, Giselle premiered in Paris! This show made ballet history! Can you imagine seeing it on its very first day! That’s why this is so important to us tutu-loving enthusiasts! You simply cannot understand how huge this show was back then.
I've always found the plot of Giselle absolutely enchanting. Poor Giselle falls in love with a mysterious man called Albert who is in disguise - the awful part, it's her lover who turns her into a Wili! Those are ghosts that dance until they finally get a real live man to join their haunting dance, and die together. Imagine! 😱. I find this story rather poetic, you know! It’s a powerful depiction of the terrible sadness and injustice that can come from love and betrayal! 💔
Anyways, that's a peek at the world of ballet for today, darlings! I hope you enjoyed this journey into our #TutuTuesday history! It’s clear the tutu had a huge impact! So, get out there and twirl! I’m off to London! You can be sure I’ll be watching a lovely performance of Giselle. You simply cannot imagine how lucky I am to travel back in time, just to see that piece come alive on the stage. 🥰
Now off I go, and until next Tuesday, keep your skirts swirling and your dreams soaring!
Yours in pink,
Emma 💗
