Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous, frilly, and, of course, pink! This week, for our #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History post, we’re hopping aboard the time train and heading back to a pivotal year – 1848! Buckle up, lovelies, it’s going to be a wild ride.
This Tuesday takes us to Paris, darling, where, amidst swirling waltzes and extravagant gowns, a young woman named Marie Taglioni was a ballet icon. You see, it was this captivating dancer, who captured the hearts (and the eyes!) of the whole of France with her graceful movements, who made tutus iconic. Imagine a light, airy dress that barely skimmed the stage. That's what Marie wore, with its layers of tulle creating a magical aura, almost like she was floating across the boards. The tutu revolutionised ballet! This style, much like myself, had a flair for the dramatic, showcasing every twirl and leap with incredible beauty!
So, why is 1848 so important, you ask? Well, 1848 marked a turning point in dance history. This year saw the rise of romanticism in the arts. And darling, if anyone embodied that ethereal spirit, it was the lovely Marie Taglioni! This romantic movement was about emotions and dreams, expressing them through airy movements and exquisite costume – enter, my lovely tutu! The ballerina's costumes became more flowy, lighter and airy, highlighting the feminine and elegant beauty of movement.
Just picture it: a grand, ornate theatre, gaslight shimmering on a sea of velvet seats, anticipation buzzing in the air. As the curtain rises, Marie takes her place on the stage, bathed in a soft spotlight. In that moment, her tutu becomes a canvas, transforming with every graceful step and pirouette. Each time she leaps, it seems as though she is suspended in the air for an eternity. Isn't that the dream, lovelies, to feel so effortlessly elegant?
Speaking of dreams, let’s rewind a bit, shall we? This wasn't the first time the ballerina had donned this fantastical attire, my dears. Earlier tutus were actually quite different. Back in the late 1700s, you see, the women's skirts were fuller, almost like bell shapes, very heavy. The early 19th century introduced the “Romantic” tutu, the shape we associate with ballerinas to this day. A long, tiered skirt with shorter, frilly layers, perfect for showing off those delicate ankles!
But back to 1848. I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on the fashionable atmosphere this year had to offer! Paris, that hub of elegance, saw the arrival of a wave of exciting fashions. New trends in ladies’ clothes, with beautiful silk fabrics, delicate floral prints, and waistcoats that were cut high on the figure to give a feminine, dramatic shape, were everywhere.
Of course, let's not forget the trains! 1848 was a golden year for rail travel! Picture a romantic journey across France by train, travelling to the heart of the theatre district to catch a captivating ballet performance in a gorgeous pink tutu, like myself. How stylish is that, dears? And can you imagine the glamorous hats, the gloves, and those glorious fur wraps! Such chic elegance.
Now, you might think we are a long way from pink tutus, darlings. However, it's those early tutu styles and the elegance of the ladies at the ballet that inspired me to adopt the colour pink as my signature colour! So even though the tutus from 1848 weren’t bright pink like mine, they paved the way for our bright, vibrant style today. I would have absolutely rocked a romantic tutu and the French fashion back then!
So, whether it's waltzing in a Paris ballroom, riding the train with my new pink suitcase, or admiring a captivating ballet performance in an ethereal tutu, 1848 had so much to offer for those who love style, grace and a touch of Parisian flair! This time trip has left me with so much inspiration! My lovely lovelies, make sure to put on a pink tutu for our #TutuTuesday! Remember, no outfit is ever complete without that sprinkle of pink magic!
Until next Tuesday, stay stylish! And remember, pink is never a mistake.
Emma xo
