Helloooo darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com and my weekly ballet history escapade!
This week we're shimmying back to 1846. Now, you may not think there were tutus back then, but trust me, we're in for a tutu treat! And speaking of treats, the colour of the week, ladies, is my beloved... drumroll PINK! (But really, what's a Tuesday without pink?)
Now, 1846... Let's get our train tickets booked! I'm feeling the charm of Vienna, darling. Oh, the elegance! The waltz music! Imagine Vienna in full bloom, and a shimmering ballet performance, all under the majestic gleam of the Imperial Theatre!
Fashioning Our Fancy: The Debut of the Tutu!
Today we are taking a spin through the history of ballet costumes and the magical moment when the tutu, the fluffy cloud of femininity that defines our beloved dance, first appeared on the world stage! Now, before you ask "what about those Greek drapes?!" – those were pretty grand, but the first proper tutus came around 1832. That's the year our friend Marie Taglioni sashayed into our hearts, dancing her way into history with the dreamy La Sylphide.
You'll see in 1846, a new kind of tutu was taking centre stage, darling! Not just the romantic Romantic Tutu, a floating waterfall of fabric. Now, we were in the age of the bell-shaped tutu, a tighter, fitted shape that gave more dynamism to those incredible ballet leaps! Imagine all that freedom of movement – heaven!
A Royal Waltz Through Fashion
This year, in our fabulous Vienna, we’re not just discussing fashion but actually history making, ladies! 1846 marked a monumental moment – the coronation of Empress Elizabeth of Austria. You better believe there was ballet aplenty for this event! And who wore pink, darling? Our darling ballerina Queen herself! Oh, the jewels, the flowers! And, yes, the ballet! Pink, a colour of youthful optimism, royalty and fashion-forwardness – it’s my colour, after all, for a reason.
And Now For a Tour de Force to Paris!
Let's take a ride, ladies, on a train that runs on tulle and sequins to our next stop, Paris, in 1846!
Think cobblestone streets and theatres full of excitement as we gaze upon a masterpiece – La Fille Mal Gardée. (And I always suggest taking a moment, after the ballet, for an oh-so delectable treat – hot chocolate and brioche in a Parisian cafe is simply divine! )
In the midst of this magical atmosphere, ballet, we can see that the tutu has become essential to ballet. In those early days, these beautiful wisps of silk and cotton made the dancers seem even more ethereal, light, and delicate, reflecting a whole new vision of women and movement!
The Tutu's Time Travel, and Mine, Too
Speaking of movement, let's talk about my travel, darling! Have I mentioned my travels by train? It's the only way to feel truly chic as I glide through time! My outfits have to be perfectly coordinated for the occasion, but no matter what era I find myself in, the pink tutu, of course, makes a dazzlingly brilliant statement, darling. The fabric may change with the time, but the tulle, the passion, the movement never goes out of style. (And you all should try this, honestly! The way the pink shines differently on each era...it’s magical.)
As for how I fund this? It’s a secret, really, but suffice to say the power of the tutu (and pink, darlings, remember pink!) makes my dreams a reality. So much ballet, so much history!
Why the Tutu? A Tale of Beauty & Grace
The reason for the tutu's rise? It’s simply this, ladies: freedom! Think about the grace and power a tutu provides – it allowed ballet to truly soar, to express new narratives and make the stage look as though dancers could float like clouds. Just imagine being on a stage, that magic between light and shade, your own little dance party, wearing the most fabulous shade of pink... Can you see why the tutu quickly captured everyone’s hearts? It is, darling, a tiny piece of art in itself.
*Now, let's get creative! *
Share your love for the tutu below – what’s your favorite kind? Who’s your favourite ballerina wearing a tutu? (I love Marie Taglioni myself.) Why do you love tutus? Let me know what historical period you’d like to visit and I'll happily try to do some research!
Until next Tuesday, lovelies. Remember, the pink tutu’s always a statement of empowerment.
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Be sure to check out our blog archives, darlings! I have loads of photos from various eras that show off the magical history of the tutu, along with some amazing details about the lives of ballerinas throughout the years.
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