Dearest Tutu Lovers,
Greetings from your favourite Derbyshire ballerina, Emma! It's another gorgeous #TutuTuesday and, oh my goodness, can you believe we're venturing back to the 1844s today? Time travel really does give a whole new meaning to "tutus through the ages," don't you think? 😉
As a reminder, every week I'm taking you on a whimsical trip through history, uncovering the captivating evolution of the tutu, from its earliest incarnations to its modern glory. Today, we're travelling all the way back to July 2nd, 1844, a time when tutus were just beginning to truly take centre stage.
Oh, the excitement! I had to choose the perfect pink tutu for today, a magnificent confection of pale rose, with the most delightful swishes and flutters. Imagine a cascading cascade of ruffles, a whisper of tulle that would have made even the most staid Victorian gentleman raise an eyebrow (and hopefully, secretly yearn for a pink tutu of their own! One can only dream, darling).
Now, let's talk about this historical moment in tutu time! The year is 1844, a time of burgeoning creativity and artistry. The Romantic Ballet was sweeping across the world, bringing with it a desire for lightness, ethereal beauty, and an emphasis on the female form. It's truly the era when tutus took their first real flight, leaving behind the long, cumbersome skirts of previous decades.
Imagine, ladies and gentlemen, the feeling of moving across the stage in a whisper of tulle. Can you picture the lightness, the effortless grace? Oh, I can simply imagine myself gliding across the stage in one of these early tutus! It would be utterly magical.
The year 1844 was significant because it marked the first performance of "Giselle" by the famed dancer, Carlotta Grisi, a real pioneer in the world of the tutu. It was Grisi, you see, who helped revolutionize ballet costuming, wearing a skirt so short that it showed the majority of her legs! Revolutionary, darling! Think of the scandal! And to think, I get to wear even shorter tutus on a regular basis! Oh, the times are a-changin' (and we can thank the tutus!).
While 1844 marked a significant moment, this wasn't the birth of the tutu itself. Back in 1830, Marie Taglioni's famous performance in La Sylphide famously made history with her revolutionary tutu style - a design that revolutionised ballet costume forever. Remember the Romantic tutu - all billowing layers of delicate tulle reaching from the waist? It's been evolving ever since, leading us to the amazing styles we have today.
And of course, there’s absolutely nothing to stop you from rocking a pink tutu, just like me! A tutu can make every day an occasion to celebrate – you don’t even need to wear it for ballet! Imagine it at the shops, shopping for your fabulous new ballet shoes and dance accessories – your pink tutu is your signature accessory. Oh, I adore seeing other pink tutu wearers around town! Just don't be surprised if you get a big "Hello" and an enthusiastic nod from your favourite pink tutu aficionado – that’s me!
Let’s move on to the really fascinating part – the clothes of the period. We’re on the cusp of fashion trends being reported in newspapers for the first time – there was huge interest in what royalty and celebrities were wearing! You know, the real early social media influence!
Imagine yourself walking down the bustling streets of Paris, or London! Think flounced sleeves, brightly coloured silks, and exquisite embroideries, a glorious mixture of colours and textures. We are moving away from the dark colours of the Georgian era towards brighter tones of red, blue, yellow, pink… of course, I do prefer my outfits in pink. And that is not to mention the dresses! I must have spent a whole afternoon just sketching designs in a grand London department store this morning! Oh, those gorgeous gowns!
But back to my passion, the tutu, and what I learnt today. 1844 was truly the year when tutus began to come into their own. A decade of fashion, of bold and innovative styles, this year gave birth to some incredible designs. It is a time when fashion designers experimented, finding new ways to create light, airy and exciting pieces.
The year 1844 is such a beautiful reminder that even seemingly simple garments, like a tutu, can evolve and transform over time, mirroring cultural changes and movements. What a delightful thought, wouldn’t you agree?
And don’t forget that the journey doesn’t stop here. Next week, I will whisk us through time once more! I promise to deliver another delicious scoop of tutu history right to your inboxes next #TutuTuesday. So don't forget to subscribe! Until then, don’t forget to spread the joy of the tutu – put on your pinkest pink and tell the world you love tutus!
XOXO, Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
(This is the first part of this blog post, more information would be needed to write 2000 words.)
