Hello darling tutus,
It’s Emma here and I’m back from another whirl-wind trip through time. This time I hopped on the train, and after a bit of a toot-toot and choo-chooing I found myself in a grand city with towering buildings and gas-lit streets that would make you dizzy. My dress fluttered in the brisk air and as I glided through the streets (it's so fun to travel in a pink tutu!) I had to pop into the most glorious fabric shops. You can't believe the amazing brocades and silks! The colours! And the ribbons – perfect for those ballet-inspired creations, wouldn't you say?
Now, it seems this city has got its own special place for dance. We're talking about theatres, my darlings. Big ones, with rows and rows of plush seats, sparkling chandeliers and amazing acoustics that make your voice echo with a lovely resonance, ideal for singing opera, they told me! You should hear some of the lovely singers here.
*Oh! I nearly forgot – it’s #TutuTuesday and this means another dive into Ballet History. Hold onto your tutus darlings, we’re in for a journey! *
I'm standing here today on the 10th December 1839 in a time before "tututus", before these magnificent pink tutus you see on every stage were around. Well, let's just say things weren’t exactly tutu-ific then, I wouldn’t wear any of these things!
But something extraordinary was about to happen this year! It was the year that this gorgeous city had something of a dance-revolution! Let me explain - before, dancers, bless their little hearts, would simply prance around the stage in a bunch of very impractical long skirts. These long skirts did nothing but hinder movement and restrict performance, my darlings, no matter how good the choreography was. I think that this must have made them very hot and sweaty too - the horror! Imagine having a big poofy skirt weighing you down every time you tried to make a grand jump!
But thank goodness for the great dancer and choreographer, Marie Taglioni. This amazing dancer in the beautiful world of ballet had something clever and elegant in mind! Marie wanted the world of ballet to take a giant leap into a more graceful age, she was a true inspiration! Can you imagine what a strong, strong will she must have had?
The thing is, in 1839 Marie decided she was going to dance the entire role of La Sylphide, in Paris, wearing this new short and floaty dress - not just part of it. She didn’t give in to the pressure of the ballet masters at the time. They couldn’t understand her vision for a dress.
So, she created something spectacular that looked just like a ballet skirt but that let her move around freely, with grace and ease. The new, loose-fitting skirt allowed her to move about with so much poise and strength - it revolutionised ballet! What I'm talking about is the predecessor to today's tutu – the Romantic tutu! It was revolutionary because it showed off the dancers' lovely legs, the beautiful way they moved. She wore her costume for all of the famous dance moves: the elegant poses, the graceful leaps. Oh my goodness, it looked so beautiful - with her short, floaty skirt swirling in a beautiful, light pattern – it would have been amazing to see! I can’t help but be in awe of how courageous and revolutionary she was, especially as she had to contend with such a stuffy establishment that were holding back such change and beauty in the ballet world.
But all this happened years before today's fabulous tutus and so, even as we marvel at this revolutionary movement in dance, this date is sadly devoid of any tutus. But you know what? That gives us another chance to show just how fabulous a pink tutu really is, doesn’t it?! We just need to let our imagination wander, my dears! I can already picture it in my mind – an imaginary, historical tableau of beautiful ballerinas with shimmering tutus in all the best hues and shades of pink! Let’s have a moment of tututopiam to admire this gorgeous historical era!
But never forget, my lovelies, the origins of this amazing outfit is down to Marie Taglioni, a trailblazer of fashion! This woman created a ballet skirt that really took the dance world by storm! You should check it out! You know, as soon as we're finished here, I'm going to do a little time-traveling back and find myself in that exciting time to have a good look at Marie and the ballet in 1839, oh dear, my eyes have a tendency to widen at such lovely things. And maybe, just maybe, I'll take along one of my beautiful pink tutus to show her what the future holds! You never know, my darlings, it just might give her an idea!
Speaking of ideas, it's time to bring you up to date with my latest creation, this week, I’ve designed my latest masterpiece - a multi-layered, iridescent, bubblegum pink tutu. A classic, I would call it. And this time, I've added the perfect finishing touch - a tiny silk ribbon in shimmering, turquoise. The effect is simply heavenly! It looks so pretty with my pink, pink tulle! My latest fashion idea! I've named it the 'Royal Pink'. The little ribbons will dance about when I jump around on stage, such joy! You just have to take a look!
Now I know it’s only #TutuTuesday but I just feel so excited that this is going to be a long and exciting journey into all that’s new and fashionable in ballet!
Until next Tuesday, stay safe and be brave, be fabulous and keep dreaming big!
Emma, the pink tutu blogger!
XOXO
P.S Come and say hi to me on my blog www.pink-tutu.com - I can’t wait to hear your ideas and discuss all things tutu! Don’t forget to take lots of snaps of your pink tutus for the Pink Tutu gallery. It will be great to share the latest pink tutu fashion inspiration together!
