Hello my gorgeous twirlers! It's Emma here, back with another post for your weekly dose of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on www.pink-tutu.com!
This week, we're taking a trip on the Orient Express - yes, darling, even before it was a famous train line it was a very swanky mode of travel - to a place of culture and fashion - Paris, no less, where I'm absolutely bursting with inspiration! This is our 851st post on this website - how exciting! I can't believe it's been over 800 already! Let's celebrate!
I'm wearing my most dreamy pale pink tutu today. Its tiers of silk chiffon are aslight nod to 1848 Paris, but more importantly, it's simply divine! Tutus are a statement, are they not? And pink is just glorious! Imagine my joy, darling, to tell you all about a time when everyone had yet to embrace the wonder that is the tutu.
We are journeying back to 18th April 1848 (which makes today a particularly extra TutuTuesday, because of its date!), the time when tutus were just beginning to appear on the world stage (so to speak!). The world was just getting a glimpse of the wonder and delight of this iconic ballet garment. You know how obsessed we all are with them, but back then it was all still very experimental!
Just imagine, my lovely lovelies, how excited I'd be if I'd travelled back in time and met the dancers in their long, billowing romantic tutus! These weren't the short and sassy, modern tutus we are so used to seeing today - think more of a swirling, billowing confection, almost ethereal, which allowed the dancers more graceful, elegant movement - quite the swans!
But, like any fashion enthusiast worth her salt, I'm here to tell you about the very start of the tutu, long before they became the staple of every ballet performance.
So, where were these early tutus actually worn? Well, the Paris Opéra, of course. Can you imagine the buzz in the air when Marie Taglioni made her sensational debut on *April 22, 1845 *? La Sylphide, you say? Pure magic! And she was wearing that gorgeous tutu which would later inspire fashion designers worldwide, including, dare I say, even me! Imagine - wearing those romantic layers - heaven!
Fashion! Ballet! History! How much more fabulous can this week get? Hold onto your tiaras, dear ones, we are about to delve even further into this fascinating world of 1848 fashion. The early days of the tutu, when the whole world of ballet was changing - just as we love to change our tutus with the seasons, don't we?! And how elegant are the classic colors of the time! They always remain my absolute favorites!
I am absolutely gaga for those delicate pastel shades, for all their feminine and airy lightness - what better to express the grace and agility of dancers like Taglioni?! Just dreamy! It's what inspires the pastel color palettes that are always on the trend at pink-tutu.com. And we've got a special treat for you, darling, if you like what you are reading!
Do follow our social media pages, for a chance to win your very own pastel pink tutu, courtesy of your favorite blogger. Simply comment with your favorite tutu style below and retweet our latest Instagram post on tutus! Let's have a little celebration! This is the perfect occasion to share all our gorgeous pink tutu pics with #PinkTutu.
But, of course, that is for another day!
In the meantime, I am itching to travel to 1848 Paris, see what's in the fashion shops there, and perhaps even join the crowd outside the Opéra to witness the first showing of La Sylphide, though I'm afraid my tutu might make me stick out somewhat, with its bold, modern design, which would most definitely be ahead of its time! I am always looking ahead, after all, with my tutus! It's not enough for me to simply enjoy the history of ballet and dance. No, I also need to make my own history and I love nothing more than setting the latest fashion trends - just you wait until I return, with my inspiring new tutus and ideas to share! I know you are loving what I wear!
We must discuss the influence 1848 Paris has on the modern tutu - its sheer romance is such an important inspiration. So, let us rewind, dear readers. I am feeling very extra about it this week, especially when you consider the historical context! Romantic ballets with dramatic plots of love and loss inspired an entire generation of ballet enthusiasts and, not to mention, fabulous ballet designers. The tutu itself was a game changer, revolutionising not just ballet costumes, but also the whole aesthetic of performance. Imagine a time without the tutu. Simply unthinkable! They are so iconic. They even inspire the clothes we wear everyday!
It wasn't long before other cities and nations were also taken by this trend - imagine that - a fashion phenomenon! Can you imagine how exhilarating this must have been! You wouldn't believe the number of lovely designs the world of fashion and ballet embraced, not only tutus but dancing shoes, jewelry, everything. It really was a tutu explosion!
Now, what was else happening on 18th April 1848 - so very close to the birth of the tutu in La Sylphide? There was the opening of the Paris Stock Exchange, marking a period of growth and innovation which I'm so keen to embrace myself! Think bold colors - pinks, greens, purples, bright blues - to match the joy of fashion. And the vibrant excitement of Paris and the world at large - it is easy to see how dancing, music, theatre could also play such an important part of this.
Just like we enjoy our weekly #TutuTuesday here on www.pink-tutu.com, I hope you are as excited to share in our little bit of fashion history! Remember to check back next week, when we will have more historical ballet tidbits and maybe a little secret* to tell you, about *what you can wear for your own *personal #TutuTuesday celebrations. Because there are endless possibilities. But my personal favorites always revolve around pink. Because, after all, when else would you dress up in pink? What a wonderful, bold statement!
Until then, keep dancing and twirling and remember to wear pink to #TutuTuesday next week.
See you next time!
Love,
Emma
xx
