Welcome back, darlings! It's #TutuTuesday, and I'm your favourite time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here from www.pink-tutu.com!
This week, we're taking a trip back in time to 22nd October, 1844 - a date etched in dance history, ladies and gents. We're not just talking any old history - this is tutu history! Buckle up your ribbons and get ready for some truly spectacular (and pink-tastic) fashion facts!
As a true tutu aficionado from Derbyshire, England, I've always felt a strong connection to this beautiful garment. There's something so incredibly graceful and magical about the tulle, the airy float, and the way it makes any ballerina feel like they're ready to soar. And believe me, a little girl like me was dreaming about being on the stage, swirling in my very own pink tutu, as far back as I can remember.
But, what about tutus back in the day? Was everyone dancing around in floaty tutus in 1844? Well, as always, my darlings, things weren't quite so simple. Tutus, you see, were still very much in their infancy. The 1800s was an era of great change for dancewear, particularly for women, moving away from the restrictive corsets and heavy layers of the previous centuries. The famous romantic ballets like "Giselle" were emerging, with their emphasis on lightness and graceful movement, so naturally, dancewear needed to reflect this change.
But what did the ballerinas actually wear back then? Imagine a floor-length white cotton skirt, billowing gently. Imagine layers and layers of fabric that could swish and sway like a flowing river, giving the dancers a new sense of freedom. That, my dears, was the genesis of the modern tutu!
Now, I wouldn't quite call it the glamorous pink tutu we all love and adore today - although I'm sure a touch of pale pink would have been just as delightful! This wasn't just any skirt, though - it was designed to give the dancers a newfound grace, a flowing movement that was a stark contrast to the stiff, restrained movements of earlier decades.
It was an evolution, you see. The long white skirts, with all their elegant drama, slowly got shorter and shorter, and eventually, you had a tutu - the iconic skirt of our beloved ballerinas, with its layers of tulle creating that ethereal effect.
Imagine the scene! A young Marie Taglioni, a name synonymous with ballet, performing "La Sylphide" - a ballet known for its magical storytelling and delicate movement - on this very date. Marie, gracefully gliding through the dance in a long, flowing white skirt, epitomized the romanticism and delicate beauty that captured the hearts of audiences in 1844. And in those flowing skirts, we see the embryo of the modern tutu!
On the 22nd October 1844, the world of ballet witnessed an exquisite performance of this celebrated ballet - "La Sylphide," a pivotal moment for tutus. And as my adventures through time prove, the magic of ballet transcends any period! A perfect excuse, don't you think, for a little trip back in time myself!
Speaking of travel, what a journey this blog has been! I’m making the most of these excursions, taking to the train, travelling far and wide, taking in all the ballet performances and shops I can. I have the most wonderful collections of clothes. Just imagine how stylish I would be on the stage today!
Of course, the world has evolved, my dears, and so has the tutu! Nowadays, it comes in every colour under the rainbow - but for me, there's nothing quite like the majestic magic of a bright pink tutu! My aim is to get everyone on board! Every woman, young or old, deserves a taste of the wonderful world of tutus! And don’t worry about the fashion police - it’s all about spreading some sunshine and happiness! Life’s too short for boring clothes, and as a tutu-loving ballerina, my wardrobe proves this point perfectly!
I'm off to catch a show and maybe pick up some delightful little lace trimmings for a new tutu - it’s an obsession you can get very used to!
Remember, darlings, always remember to dance, always remember to sparkle and, of course, never forget the power of a perfect pink tutu!
Catch you next #TutuTuesday, darlings!
Until then, let's all keep twirling!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com #TutuTuesday Post 669
