Hello, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, back again with another delightful trip into the past for #TutuTuesday! Today, we're taking the train (which is thrilling, by the way! I can never resist a carriage ride, especially if there's a velvet seat and a cup of tea waiting for me!) to 18th April 1843, and we're about to discover how the dance world was looking!
It's been a truly busy few weeks! I managed to slip into a fabulous performance by the Opéra de Paris (it was divine!), picked up the most incredible hat in a Parisian boutique (and you must check out the velvet ribbons!), and even caught a ballet show at La Scala in Milan. My poor suitcase is absolutely bursting with delightful purchases!
But speaking of bursting… let’s have a peek at our time-travelling fashion history. Back in 1843, the world of ballet was already captivating audiences! While our beloved tutu had a bit more volume than the fitted, form-hugging tutus we know and love today, the idea was the same: showing off those elegant legs, those graceful movements, and bringing the art of ballet into the limelight.
Imagine delicate fabric layers, sometimes cascading almost to the floor. We're talking romanticism at its peak, my dears. And while we might be wearing pink tutus in this present time, back in 1843, the colour white was favoured! It gave that ethereal look, a touch of fairytale magic to the stage. The design was more fluid, free flowing, allowing the dancers to soar and spin. Now, imagine that beautiful white tutu billowing out in the air as a ballerina jumps – divine, isn’t it?
However, if we step away from the actual garments for a moment, 1843 brought an extra bit of magic: the iconic ballerina Marie Taglioni, one of the first to make use of a lightweight tutu, made her debut! You might be thinking, “Emma, that was 10 years ago in 1832!”. Oh, you cheeky things, you're right, darling. It’s just that it took a bit of time for the ‘look’ to take hold, for its popularity to flourish, for it to reach that point where, well, everyone wanted to wear a tutu.
But imagine being a ballerina then! A star dancer. So, back to Marie, this wonderful lady’s lightness and graceful movements transformed ballet performance into something breathtakingly new and breathtakingly beautiful. It was her graceful leaps and delicate artistry that showed everyone the potential of a tutu.
Let’s go back to 1843 now, shall we? What’s the date about, anyway?
It was, funnily enough, not connected to ballet. But, if we talk fashion history in relation to tutus – and I am, of course, always happy to do so! – a rather special event happened: on the 18th of April 1843, the first official fashion magazine was launched. Can you imagine! All those beautifully illustrated pages, brimming with stylish garments and the newest fashion trends! I have to say, it got me very excited to visit my favourite magazine shop the other week to pick up some inspiration. That’s how ballet tutus work their way into our everyday life, darlings. The fashion inspiration doesn't always end at the ballet studio!
Let’s tie this up with a beautiful pink ribbon. My love for pink tutus, my desire to have everyone join the “wear-a-tutu” movement, is fuelled by how dance has impacted fashion. From Marie’s legendary dance performance in a light, flowy tutu, through the early days of the first fashion magazine showcasing designs and trends that everyone wants to copy... it all comes down to an artistic evolution and how fashion catches the flow and movement and brings that beauty to our everyday life.
So there you have it! #TutuTuesday is back again next week with a new date to explore. I promise I will share my newest shopping haul, darling! Make sure to keep your eye out on the website – www.pink-tutu.com! Now, excuse me while I prepare for my upcoming performance tonight. Until then, be sure to channel your inner ballerina. After all, everyone looks divine in a tutu, right? 💕
