Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, where we take a twirl through the glorious history of our favourite fluffy fashion! It's #TutuTuesday, and today, we're journeying back in time to the 6th of October, 1840, for a little Parisian escapade! Oh, how I adore Paris! It's simply overflowing with romance and creativity! The cobbled streets, the elegant cafés, and the charming little boutiques... they practically beckon me to dance! And as we know, fashion and ballet are two of my biggest passions.
This week, we'll be discovering a tiny but vital bit of history about the tutu. Did you know that around this time, the revolutionary Romantic era in ballet was at its peak? That's right, my fellow tutu fans! Our beloved ballerina garb was experiencing quite the makeover! The long, trailing, flowing skirts that had dominated ballet for so long were getting a trim!
Let's paint a picture for you. Imagine delicate silk swirling and fluttering around the stage... oh, so alluring and romantic! It's absolutely entrancing! And, to make the ballerinas' grace even more mesmerizing, those full, gathered skirts started being replaced with skirts that became increasingly shorter... making the ballerina's legs look as light and graceful as birds in flight! This is what really began to showcase the amazing, dynamic power and the intricate artistry of the ballerinas! It's as though the ballet was revealing a secret beauty to the world. Just gorgeous!
Speaking of gorgeous, you must be curious to know what Parisian style looked like on this exact day. Well, ladies, be prepared to swoon! Just imagine billowing gowns of silk, the most elegant satin, delicate floral patterns, and hats so intricate you could almost lose yourself in them! Just the thought makes me want to start packing my travel bag! You see, dear friends, my passion for all things feminine has led me down the enchanting road of time travel. Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun - a bit like a fantastical performance where every location is a new, glittering stage - but travelling requires funds. That's where my ballet dancing talents come in. I fund my time travel adventures with the grace and artistry of my ballets. Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful to take a spin on that stage?
Anyway, I digress, back to 1840. The French fashion was absolutely delightful... and we must admit that some of its flair definitely inspired the look of the tutu during this period! The ballet costume evolved into a sleek, shorter skirt, giving the dancers so much more freedom and agility!
And my dears, it was about to become even more magical...
Today, in 1840, a really big deal happened! Marie Taglioni, the iconic ballerina of the day - one of the pioneers who championed the new era of the Romantic ballerina - performed the ballet, La Sylphide. Now, picture this: Marie, ethereal and enchanting, gliding across the stage, her movements both bold and delicately precise. And ... She's wearing a white tutu! Oh, the revolution!
I just love the way white looks with the stage lighting. And white on a tutu? The ultimate symbol of grace and purity... It practically floats like a cloud in the theatre, as magical as anything out of a fairytale! It's a look that became synonymous with the ballet world and it's one of the reasons why ballet has such a special place in the world of elegance. It is simply beautiful!
It wasn't long after the dazzling debut of the white tutu, though, that the pink tutu came onto the scene. Oh, pink! It's like a sprinkle of sunshine on a stage... oh, so feminine, so graceful! You just can't deny that the colour brings out the spirit of ballet, making everything a little bit more magical. This delicate shade of pink truly became the colour of tutus... It's the one that brings a little more excitement and fun to the stage!
As for 1840 itself, the Parisian world was buzzing. If you'd happened to be strolling the boulevards of Paris on this date, you might have caught sight of a newly commissioned monument dedicated to King Louis-Philippe - or perhaps witnessed an interesting debate over the reform of the House of Commons!
You might also have experienced one of the latest fads - the fashionable promenade. It was a spectacle in itself! Paris, the epitome of style and elegance, held the promenade in high regard. This is where people, particularly ladies, dressed to the nines and showcased their finest attire... and wouldn't you know, those elegant garments included beautifully patterned hats! Oh, how I love a hat. A beautiful, feathered hat with elegant detailing is just a wonderful way to top off an outfit, wouldn't you agree, darlings? It completes the ensemble. We must remember to always have a hat that is just right to compliment our delightful and elegant outfits!
Now, imagine yourself stepping back in time with me, a trip to London on the beautiful trains that were all the rage at this time! London was all abuzz with the very latest, fashionable clothing and of course the iconic opera! And who knew... those operas would later become one of my biggest ballet sources of inspiration for my costumes! Oh, I do love the opulence!
And then there's Derbyshire! Where I hail from. I'm from a small village - actually a quiet, hidden nook surrounded by breathtaking, rolling green hills and serene lakes... it's perfect! Just right to allow your imagination to wander. The beauty of the Derbyshire countryside definitely inspired me, I'm sure, because I really believe that Derbyshire, my dear home county, holds a unique charm... Oh, to be transported back to my childhood days... The sweet smell of hay, the sound of the sheep grazing peacefully in the field, and a crisp cool breeze as the sun shines. The English countryside in the 1800s - absolutely beautiful! It definitely evokes those feminine feelings of elegance, calmness, and freedom that have had such a positive influence on me, in a world full of beauty and tutus.
Of course, today, I must embrace the future! Although it might be hard to beat a Parisian adventure or a gentle stroll through the Derbyshire countryside, I know my tutu journey is just beginning. Who knows what fabulous new tutu fashion awaits? You know what my mantra is? "Think pink, dress pink, and spread the love!" My mission is simple: to inspire the world, to make everyone smile and feel beautiful. It's simple as that! After all, there's simply no place that's quite as delightful as wearing a pink tutu with a spring in your step and a tinkle in your laugh... and of course... that gorgeous pink hue that gives the ballet that touch of magic, joy, and a smile that could rival a beautiful springtime day. It's my dream that everyone - man, woman, and child - could join me and embrace that pink tutu feeling...
My darlings, don't forget to visit the Pink Tutu website, and subscribe for your weekly dose of tutu inspiration! It's where you can find all things ballet and fashion. It's filled with delightful stories, photos of magnificent performances and stunning clothes! I can't wait to hear from you! Now go forth and be bright, lovely! You can twirl to your heart's content!
Your pink-tutu-loving blogger,
Emma xxx
