Hello, my darling tutu-lovers! Itâs Emma here, and Iâm so thrilled to be back for another #TutuTuesday! Today, weâre embarking on a journey back to the 1840s, a time of grand ballrooms, waltzing elegance, and... you guessed it, the VERY beginnings of the tutu as we know it! Now, you know me - pink's my passion, tutus are my life - but believe it or not, even back then, tutus were a whisper on the breeze, a hopeful bloom waiting to burst forth.
We're whisking you away on a romantic carriage ride through the cobblestone streets of Paris! This isn't the whimsical world of a bouncy, frothy pink tulle tutu just yet, but the year is 1844 and that vision is beginning to take shape. You'll find it hard to imagine, darling, but ladies of that era werenât skipping about in our fabulous creations yet - instead they were enveloped in layers of heavy, rustling fabric. Picture this: petticoats, layers of skirts, all the way down to the ankles. Can you imagine trying to move in such attire, let alone attempting a graceful arabesque? I wouldn't last five minutes!
However, change was on the horizon! As our lovely ladies yearned for more freedom of movement in their dance, Marie Taglioni - a ballerina with grace so elegant it could rival a summer's day - began to make ripples of revolution with her own dancing style. Now, she wasn't a tutu trailblazer in the exact sense, but Marie paved the way for our delightful ballet staple by daring to expose more of her limbs than ever before. Imagine!
In 1841, Marie danced a ballet called "La Sylphide" (you can practically hear the delicate notes of the music in your head, can't you?) where, instead of billowing gowns, she wore a fitted, white bodice - imagine it - a fitted bodice, darling - that ended just below the waist. Beneath the bodice, it wasnât a cascade of tulle (although, I think that would have been spectacular, don't you?) but something we call a 'tutu', made from thin, white gauze that barely covered her ankles, leaving her legs as free as the wind! You might find that short and breezy! It wasn't much, but it was change, and you know me - I love a good dose of change, especially when it involves fashion!
The most fascinating part? Even with such a revelation of limbs (just think how scandalized our strict Victorians would have been!), her tutu still needed an awful lot of volume. We're not talking about a poofy cupcake tutu yet, dearie. In those days, this was achieved through ingenious layering techniques, with the layers of white gauze gathered into multiple layers and puffed out, giving her the perfect balance between airiness and dramatic elegance. Talk about layering, darling! Imagine, you could layer several of those garments and still manage to pirouette and pliĂ© to your heartâs content.
While that initial âtutuâ wouldnât make the cut at a contemporary ballet performance, it's where the magic truly began, isn't it? The year was 1841, and it was in this that ballet took a significant step forward! Now, if youâll indulge a bit of dramatic pause - itâs just me here, telling you these incredible stories, so I can indulge in all my theatricality! Let me fast forward for you, to June 11th 1844, the very date weâre celebrating today! On this special day, Marie's performance in "La Sylphide" - yes, the one that launched a thousand tutus, dearie - took place! Thatâs how important this date is to the history of the tutu!
Oh, if only we could jump in a time machine and take a peek, wouldnât it be glorious? Just imagine all the hushed excitement in the audience as she took to the stage, wearing that iconic garment - and for the first time, allowing glimpses of her bare legs! A small detail for us, but a huge revelation for their world!
And, guess what? That revolutionary design - those barely-there layers of gauze and that slim, streamlined bodice - it wasn't just a passing fancy. This is when we started seeing other ballerinas embrace the newness, the fresh, whimsical take on traditional costume designs, and our own journey towards the magnificent tutus we know today started! The little "tutu" Marie sported may have been quite modest compared to our voluminous creations of today, but it opened the door to all sorts of fantastic fashion exploration for ballet dancers. It is the most vital foundation!
As I journey through time, finding these incredible moments and learning about the evolution of the tutu - I just want everyone to see this elegant, practical and wonderful item of clothing for all it is! Let's continue to see the beautiful evolution of this masterpiece! It's just another Tuesday, but for me, darling, it's a moment to revel in the grace and artistry of the ballerina's world, especially when tulles are involved. Don't you feel the same way?
So, whatâs my tutu forecast for this week, dearie? A hint of pink tulle - but with a dash of historical inspiration, just like that groundbreaking "La Sylphide" tutu! Iâm thinking a little dance inspiration to add some flair to your weekend. Why not dust off your own favourite ballerina inspired outfit and dance like you were there in 1844, standing beside Marie, watching the dawn of a new era in fashion, grace, and most importantly⊠tulle!
Until next #TutuTuesday, my dearies, happy dancing! Remember to keep an eye on the www.pink-tutu.com website, for my new weekly blog! Keep shining and never be afraid to try something new! Remember to share your adventures and outfits with us using the hashtags #TutuTuesday and #PinkTutu - we love to see them! See you next time!
Lots of love,
Emma xx
