Greetings from Paris, my darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveler, Emma, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday, where we delve into the delightful history of ballet's most iconic garment!
It's Tuesday 30th January 1844, and my oh my, what a glorious day! Paris is bustling with a flurry of excitement – opera, theatre, and of course, the ballet! I’ve been touring the city, absorbing all the fashion inspiration I can. Today, the ballet was truly captivating! I’ve even treated myself to some beautiful pink silk ribbons and tulle from a charming haberdashery on Rue de Rivoli. Did I mention that this was the day for a new kind of tulle skirt, one that was lighter than a feather, and it would be perfect for a certain upcoming show!
But let's rewind a little, shall we? Imagine the ballet of the late 1830s. Romantic and dramatic, but the ladies on stage were still sporting somewhat impractical attire, including the infamous panier, that huge hooped structure making them look less like ethereal ballerinas and more like walking, albeit gracefully, wardrobe malfunctions. A delightful chap named Marie Taglioni, whose daughter, Carlotta Grisi, was a star in the making, decided that the dancers needed something better – a lighter, more graceful look. That's where our tutu's history truly begins, darlings! Marie invented this ingenious design that we know and love: a skirt of airy, diaphanous tulle, hugging the hips and floating effortlessly, giving those ballerinas the freedom to soar across the stage with the grace of birds!
Imagine, the weight of tradition shed like the heavy skirts of old! And just look at Carlotta! I'm swooning! She is the perfect embodiment of the new dance aesthetic; it’s practically floating on the stage like a whisper of pink mist. It's pure magic!
I believe the best part, besides the exquisite design itself, is that it made dancing a truly transcendent art. Suddenly, those ballerina legs had the chance to shine, creating a captivating spectacle of fluid grace, each pirouette and grand jeté a poem of movement. The tulle wasn't just fabric; it became the essence of beauty, of movement, of air!
Let’s not forget the colour! Oh, this romantic ballet of the 1840s embraced the colour pink wholeheartedly! In a society obsessed with blue and grey, pink stood out like a declaration of joyous energy. It made ballet a delightful riot of colour. My darlings, you could say pink was practically made for the tulle! A delicate touch of colour on the stage made each movement shimmer, an embodiment of romance and delight.
And just you wait until I see Carlotta’s next performance at the theatre tonight! I imagine her performance of Giselle tonight will be even more mesmerizing now with this new tulle skirt. With its dreamy and romantic storyline, she will enchant all of Paris, gliding across the stage in a wisp of ethereal fabric, showcasing her exquisite artistry with every single move!
Speaking of artistry, I found some exquisite ballet posters today, one even featuring my darling Carlotta. They’re adorned with the most wonderful illustrations of graceful figures wearing tulle. My dear readers, wouldn't you love a piece like this for your own boudoir?
This era wasn't all about the performance, you know, the fashion was evolving beautifully as well! It was all about emphasizing the graceful figure of women. Those dreamy tulle creations took centre stage as ballgowns and walking skirts. But we know the real show stopper was the tulle skirt! My, how our fashion loves to look at that flowing fabric and let imagination fly, so to speak!
And what about us, you ask? I'm not one to resist a good bit of fashion inspiration, my dear readers. My trip to Paris wouldn't be complete without indulging in a little Parisian shopping. After the ballet, I'm planning a visit to the beautiful Galerie Vivienne. This beautiful 19th-century gallery with its iron and glass ceiling is a haven of style. Perhaps I’ll even find some gorgeous ribbons and embellishments to embellish a new tutu! Don't worry, my darlings, I'll share the details of my latest fashion finds with you soon!
After all, a little pink never hurt anyone! You never know, my lovelies, the next time I jump into the time machine, it might be a little pink tutu of my own!
And remember, darlings, you can find the ultimate in fashion inspiration on my website, www.pink-tutu.com. My #TutuTuesday posts are a celebration of the beauty of this beautiful fabric! And, please share your pink tutu adventures on social media! Spread the love for pink tulle everywhere!
Until next week, darlings, Emma
xx
