#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1848-08-08

Bonjour mes chéries! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another delve into the fascinating world of ballet history! Today, we're hopping aboard the time machine and venturing to the 8th of August, 1848, a date etched in the history of fashion, especially in the heart of Paris, where, like me, they seem to adore a good tutu.

Remember my dear readers, it's all about the tutu! A true dance enthusiast's best friend! It's about those floaty layers of tulle, that beautiful swirling movement, and of course, that elegant, feminine silhouette. It’s a celebration of graceful movement, it’s the embodiment of artistic expression, and frankly, it’s an absolute delight to wear!

Now, as we land in 1848, our first stop is, naturally, the opera. It's a Parisian ballet performance, and you'll be thrilled to know, it's practically overflowing with tutus! While this is exciting enough, what makes this particular date so special is that it marks a huge shift in the world of tutus. This isn't just about pretty frills, dear readers, it's a fundamental transformation!

Before today, tutus, as we know them, didn’t really exist. They were long, flowing skirts, with a little bit of crinoline tucked beneath for that nice full silhouette, giving the dancers a slight billowing effect. Imagine Maria Grazia Chiuri's latest Dior Haute Couture collection! It’s the same idea, but instead of embroidered roses and whimsical butterfly sleeves, you have dancing legs and elegant pirouettes!

What changes everything on this delightful 8th of August? It's all thanks to Carlotta Grisi, a beloved Italian ballerina. She is starring in a ballet called "Giselle", a choreography by Jean Coralli that really set the world of dance on its ear! This ballet isn’t your typical fluffy story with happy endings; it’s darker, more emotional, and a story that absolutely resonates with its audiences. And Carlotta, well, she completely stole the show with her raw passion, and her incredible agility.

But Carlotta's legacy goes beyond her powerful performance (although those leg extensions! Don’t even get me started!). She ushered in the short tutu we adore today by deciding to perform with a shorter skirt! The layered, airy tulle allowed for freedom of movement, showing off the incredible athleticism of the dancers and capturing the raw emotions of Giselle's story.

It's all about the feminine, romantic beauty, but with a newfound athletic spirit. No more trailing, flowing skirts, only the pure grace and artistry of a ballerina's movement showcased through every pirouette and grand jeté. It revolutionized ballet as a performance art form and continues to inspire us all to embrace the magical world of the tutu!

Let's hop back to our present for a moment! This week, on Wednesday 9th, my dear friend Isabella is performing at the London Coliseum. We've been rehearsing diligently all week. This performance will see me swirling in a delightful new confection of a pink tutu. I simply can’t wait to see my dazzling design in action!

However, it’s not just about me and my favourite hot pink, because let’s be honest, you’re never too young to fall in love with a tutu. Just remember that there is a perfect tutu for everyone! No matter your age, there’s a perfect one waiting for you. The world needs more twirls and more pink tutus in its life!

It's true, isn’t it, dear readers? My motto? #PinkTutusForAll! If you want to get some inspiration for a brand new tutu, feel free to follow me on Instagram (@pinktutu) for some truly exquisite designs.

Until next week, keep twirling!

With much love and tutus galore,

Emma xoxo

This week, I’m inspired by the revolutionary change to ballet! If you're bold, brave, and want to try something new, don't be afraid to ditch the long skirts. A short tulle skirt is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe, for a truly romantic and feminine touch! And if it's pink well, then you know it's automatically perfect, don't you? Just remember confidence is the key ingredient, because you truly can do anything in a pink tutu!

I’m off on another adventure, and my destination? St. Petersburg, the Ballet Capital of Russia! The sheer volume of amazing productions here is astounding. A ballerina's dream come true! Just thinking about all the inspiring shops and ateliers, and the* gorgeous ballerinas in stunningly beautiful tutus!* Just imagine it! It's truly exhilarating. There’s so much to explore, and this week I’ll be trying out a new style, which involves a fabulous travelling dress that transforms into a tutu (you simply won't believe it!). I’ll post my designs on Instagram of course! Until then, it’s goodbye London, I’m off on a magical journey!

St Petersburg! I’ve always dreamed of this ballet paradise, and this week, I’m making it a reality! This city, dear readers, is a dream for any tutu-loving soul like myself. I’m staying in the most beautiful hotel – the Hotel Astoria – and every corner of it seems to whisper of history, creativity, and the endless passion of the arts!

For a treat, I had to sample one of the famed Russian delicacies, pryaniki, these wonderful gingerbread treats! Absolutely divine, just the kind of energy boost a travelling ballerina needs to face a busy day.

As if those treats weren’t delicious enough, the city was buzzing with artistic inspiration! There were ballets everywhere! There are more dance academies here than anywhere else I've seen. The dedication and passion I encountered in each one just astounded me!

And there were amazing tutu ateliers! Just endless aisles of silks and tulle, every color imaginable! I haven't stopped giggling and saying, "This is what dreams are made of!” You could say I’ve been spending all of my time searching for my new signature piece!

One thing I’ve learnt: There’s never a bad time to wear a tutu, in the city where a ballet craze seems to take over everything. My travels have even inspired a new tutu design (and I know what you're thinking - pink of course!), with delicate floral embellishments, evoking the grace and elegance of Russian dancers!

Today I’m off to watch one of the famous Mariinsky productions. It’s going to be breathtaking, And if my new design doesn't get a spot in the next St Petersburg fashion show, I'll be absolutely shattered! It would be a real disappointment!

The city has so much to offer – from the ornate Winter Palace to the breathtaking St. Isaac’s Cathedral, it truly makes a time traveller want to hop back in the time machine and explore again!

Oh, I simply can’t wait to show you my photos, my loves, but that will have to wait for next week's #TutuTuesday post! Don’t forget to keep on twirling! Until next time, au revoir!