Greetings, my lovely Tutu Twirlers! Itās Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time traveller and curator of all things tutu-tastic. This week, I'm back to delve deeper into the fabulous history of the tutu!
This week we are travelling right back to January 28th, 1840. Oh my, the excitement! It's like being transported to a historical ballet!
You might think the 1840s were a time of petticoats and puffed sleeves ā *well, thatās where we find our story today. * Think of all those wonderful balls, fancy dress parties and events happening in 1840, and the wonderful fashions for the women - a fabulous era to be alive, right! But what if you are a ballerina - or a ballet fan? Where do they find a fab tutu to wear?
Well, this is what the ballet world was like in the mid-1800s. While in Paris you had Marie Taglioni, our wonderful ballerina who danced "La Sylphide," the romantic ballet, where the costume was, wait for it: a white tutu with the shorter length!
Imagine the thrill for everyone at the Opera in Paris that year, as they looked upon Marie Taglioni as she moved across the stage. She was the real star, but this tutu - and Marieās lovely dancing in her shorter skirt, showed her amazing leg extensions to full effect, she was simply divine!**
But what's happening on January 28th, 1840, that is specifically related to tutus?
Today I'm taking you on a journey to the birthplace of tutu fashion, Paris! Paris was a hotbed of dance, where ballet became truly popular in Europe. But if you want a real peek back in time - I must tell you that we were a lot later in adopting the tutu! Back then, we saw ballets called ballets āde courā or, "court ballets." We might have a dress and a crown, but nothing quite so fabulous as a real tutu. But of course we love ballet in England, just think of Diana, Princess of Wales wearing her tutu at that fabulous gala held at the Royal Albert Hall.
This all brings me back to Marie Taglioni, and 1840! Imagine the look of amazement on the Parisianās faces as they watch the elegant beauty of āLa Sylphide," and the wonderful style of the short, white tutu being danced so brilliantly by Marie Taglioni! What we consider to be ātraditionalā ballet dress, was really being established during these wonderful years of dance. It wasnāt even a few years ago, that a woman had to wear huge petticoats - a lot like the dress shape worn at Queen Victoria's Coronation (that was held on June 28th, 1838)! But to think that Marie, as āLa Sylphide" wore that stunning white, almost billowing tutu and performed at that Paris opera House just two years later - is astounding! What a difference fashion and the arts can make, right?! I simply cannot believe that it only takes a few years to revolutionize ballet fashion and design. This was, indeed, an exciting time. The time travel bug has well and truly got me!
Imagine seeing her - a ballerina, floating on stage in a short white tutu, while people are wearing much longer and fuller clothing!
In fact, as the days grow warmer, Iām really considering a few designs to use to sew my own tutu inspired by this style . I even bought a pattern yesterday at John Lewis & Partners in Oxford Street London!
Today's trip takes me to Vienna for some wonderful fashion inspiration. I canāt wait to explore its grand cafes and to wander through Vienna's incredible historical museums for some extra inspiration.
Letās keep these tutus twirling, darling! Remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com and join our pink-tutu-wearing community for more exciting history adventures, and of course, to share your love of all things ballet and tutu-tastic!
Until next week, stay twirling and always remember...
Pink is my favourite colour!
Love, Emma ā„
