Hello, darlings!
It's Emma here, your favourite pink-loving tutu aficionado, and welcome back to #TutuTuesday! Today we're jetting back in time to 19th January 1847, the very year when a rather important invention popped up on the Parisian scene!
But first, let's be honest, this week, the fashion world is a little... well, drab! My recent travels through time have led me to this strange, quiet little town, nestled somewhere between the bustling city of Paris and the green rolling hills of Derbyshire.
This time period has me feeling somewhat...deprived! I just know that if my dearest ballet instructor, Mrs. Peabody from Derby, was with me now, we’d be doing the cha-cha and the jitterbug all night. But no, she’s stuck back home at the moment, running the dance academy. Still, I am surrounded by countryside views, which is certainly charming – it reminds me a little of the picturesque views you’d see outside the Théâtre de l’Opéra, especially the one from my dressing room! Speaking of ballet, have I told you about the utterly exquisite show I saw the other night? Oh, it was a real treat, the costumes! The sheer elegance, the grace, the sheer audacity... it truly set my heart aflutter! They were like fluttering butterflies, these dancers, with their carefully choreographed movements. And let’s not forget the costumes! You simply must know – every ballerina, even the corps de ballet, were adorned with the most stunning skirts - tu... tu.... hmm, they almost sounded like a "tutu."
I did say that I'd share something exciting, right? Well, imagine, darlings, if you will, a time before tutus, where the skirts of ballet were stiff and cumbersome! Think multiple layers of heavy material, just waiting to weigh you down like a bad dream! Heavens, can you imagine, those dear ladies would never have been able to soutenu across the stage in such awkward attire. Tut tut, simply unthinkable!
Enter Marie Taglioni, my darling, who decided to shake things up (figuratively speaking of course, as I simply cannot imagine the legendary ballerina moving anything but gracefully.) This year, 1847, Marie graced the stage wearing a skirt so new, so lightweight and graceful – so... so revolutionary, that it made waves throughout the fashion scene.
Of course, her revolutionary garment came with its own quirks - think delicate silk, the faintest whisper of pink tulle, and layers that fluttered and swirled like, well, imagine a butterfly, but without the sticky landing on your head. Now, I must confess, my inner ballerina does long for a touch of the dramatic. But tut tut, what good is a spectacular entrance if you end up stuck behind the wings, battling an unruly ensemble that feels like it’s trying to steal your breath away?
And let me tell you, darlings, with all the pomp and splendour, even with the stage lights twinkling brightly, there is nothing like a stage filled with perfectly pirouetting ballerinas in graceful skirts, twirling around with airy lightness, the air tinged with the faintest whisper of tulle.
This change in ballet wear opened a whole new era of breathtaking ballet performance. A new level of artistry was possible, and tutus became symbols of grace and freedom, bringing lightness and joy to every stage. They even crept into ballet class and rehearsals, oh my goodness. Can you even imagine? I’ll tell you all about my adventures in that fashion phenomenon next week.
Right now, it’s time for my very favourite part of any #TutuTuesday: I always like to look out for something a bit special in each town I visit - you know, just a touch of that extra je ne sais quoi that brings it all together for your humble pink-loving ballerina. Today I spotted the most stunning hat, with feathers and silk ribbon! It truly has a ballet-esque feel and oh my goodness, darlings, can you imagine the twirls we could do wearing it in a stage production! I simply had to snap it up.
For the rest of this delightful tutu-rific day, I plan to do what I love - shopping! My darling ballet boots are yearning for some much-needed TLC, so a visit to the cobblers is on the agenda! After that, perhaps I shall explore the shops to see what little trinket catches my eye. Who knows, perhaps I’ll discover the perfect souvenir for you dear reader. Of course, a lovely picnic by the riverbank is the ultimate way to spend a sunny day!
Join me next week as I journey through the evolution of tutus – who knows what fascinating facts await us? I've already started my research and am simply overflowing with tutu-licious gossip. Stay tuned, and don't forget to wear pink (or a tutu...or both)!
Much love, Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
