Greetings, lovelies! Emma here, your time-traveling fashionista, ready to whisk you back to the enchanting era of 1848! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to delve into the wondrous world of ballet and, of course, our beloved tutus! Buckle up, darling, because we're taking a trip down memory lane - on the railway, naturally, as a proper English lady travels!
(Post #838: Tutu Tuesday! )
Ah, 1848...a year full of momentous changes! Europe was buzzing with revolution, the Crimean War was just around the corner, and, most importantly for us tutu-obsessed folks, a pivotal year for ballet! I was in Vienna, dear reader, enjoying the delights of the Imperial Court Ballet. You can't imagine how fabulous Vienna was! Such grandeur and a captivating passion for the arts!
Oh, the romance of it all!
You see, 1848 was when tutus started their truly iconic rise to fame. And what a rise it's been! Before 1848, dancers, even ballerinas, wore more "practical" clothes like long skirts. Think layered fabric and a heavy, billowing look. Now, can you imagine trying to leap in that? The dancers were like graceful gazelles! It just wasn't practical for the expressive movements we all adore in ballet today!
Thankfully, in this exciting year of 1848, the legendary ballerina, Marie Taglioni, took the stage! With a flourish and a sweep of her airy tulle skirt, she stole hearts and revolutionised the stage with a stunning costume! Imagine this: a fluffy white, featherlight skirt, cut short and billowing. It looked as though she was about to float away!
(Picture: Marie Taglioni, a timeless image, grace in motion!)
You can practically hear the gasps of the audience from here. And guess what? Everyone else in the industry jumped on board. It was the start of the 'tutu-mania'!
A Love for the Little Skirt
From the elegant Vienna opera to the vibrant London theatres, and even here at the Royal Opera House, every stage embraced the short, puffy skirt. We are talking 'the tutus', dear reader, as the ballerinas took their twirls to a whole new level!
Did you know...?
The name 'tutu' was born out of a slang word! Imagine, ballet with a slightly cheeky name? That's my kinda fun! But let's keep this PG-rated. ;)
(Picture of a pink tutu from your wardrobe!)
*Pink Power: *
Now, back to the real star of the show - pink! Ah, my beloved pink! It's the shade of ballet, of sweet dreams, of blossoming joy! As much as I adore the traditional white tutus, nothing shines brighter than pink! I wear my pink tutu as a flag! It's a reminder of hope and happiness!
* Shopping for Tutu's! *
Back in the 1840s, they loved lace and ruffles, the same things we love now! They loved all kinds of bright colours, though pink wasn't quite as common as it is now. That was my kind of fashion scene, darling. My vintage style collection of vintage 1840's dresses makes a delightful trip to the theatre and even to a tea room. So many of you have embraced my Tutu Tuesday fashion sense.
*Tutu Tuesday: Fashion & Performance *
* #TutuTuesday is more than just fashion!* It's about expressing ourselves, celebrating dance, and showing the world our unique charm! From tutus at ballet rehearsals to my 'street tutu' looks, it's all about fun and self-expression. That's how we inspire the next generation! We're making history, darlings, with each twirl, each bow, and each trip to the ballet! I must admit I do like to give some of these ballet classes a try, they are an amazing workout and you meet lovely people! The instructors are amazing, and always very friendly, a little like this pink loving ballerina.
**(Picture: you at the ballet in a pink tutu )
Let's Dance into Tomorrow!
And that, my lovelies, is the exciting story of tutus in the 1840s! Don't forget to join me next week for another trip back in time! In the meantime, remember, every day is a #TutuTuesday if you want it to be!
Yours in Pink and Tutu,
Emma xx
**(Link to Pink Tutu shop: PinkTutu.com! )
And now for your homework, my sweet dears! Tell me your favourite part of this week's #TutuTuesday history trip. I want to know which colour tutu you love most. (Hint: it’s pink!) Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter. We'll be travelling to another historical era next Tuesday, so don't be late to the party!
