Hello my dearest tutu-loving lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, reporting live from...wait for it... 1848! Yes, you heard me right! I took a little trip on the time-travelling express train (fancy footwork gets me everywhere!) to Paris, the city of love and fashion, to bring you a special treat on this #TutuTuesday. It's all about the history of the tutu, darlings! You know, every fabulous dance needs a fabulous frock, and what could be more fabulous than a tutu?
Today is 26th December 1848, Boxing Day here in dear old Blighty, but I'm experiencing Parisian glamour in all its finery. And, fun fact! It was precisely on this day, all those years ago, that Marie Taglioni, a ballerina who practically redefined what "graceful" looked like, performed in a tutu that literally took the world by storm! Talk about iconic, darling!
You see, before Marie, ballerinas were swathed in layers of heavy, restricting dresses that barely allowed for movement, let alone leaps and twirls. They had more in common with Victorian era drawing rooms than a graceful ballet. Marie changed the game by opting for a light and flowing white dress, reaching just below her knees - a revolutionary concept at the time! The era of the tutu had begun. And trust me, lovelies, that revolution was about more than just showing off pretty ankles! It was about liberation, about letting movement soar, about making dance truly a magical spectacle.
Speaking of spectacle, my journey to Paris wouldn't be complete without a glimpse of what the ballet scene is like in this beautiful city. While my tutu-wearing presence turned a few heads (think Parisian men suddenly speechless, muttering "la petite tutu"), the Parisian ballet theatre, L'Opéra, is exquisite! I popped in for a little peek (imagine a gorgeous chandelier and lavishly decorated auditorium) and watched a mesmerizing performance of La Sylphide. The lightness and flow of the ballet mirrored the lightness and flow of the tutus worn by the ballerinas - pure enchantment!
Now, let's talk about those Parisian fashion trends of the 1840s. They're oh so lovely, darlings. Picture swirling ballgowns, with bustles at the back, layers of lace, and colours that would make a flamingo blush. What's not to adore, I ask you! Even then, the French loved their finery. Just think how a sleek, single-layer tutu, designed for dancing, would have been such a bold and captivating change, particularly in a time where fashion revolved around layers and restrictiveness.
Marie's revolutionary white tutu was indeed revolutionary. It sparked a ballet costume evolution, inspiring later designers to experiment with layers, tulle, colours, and different shapes. And the rest, as they say, is tutu history.
Just like my dear Marie, I’m passionate about making a splash with my tutu (and sharing my love for them with you). So let’s make 26th December 1848 a day to remember, a day we celebrate the beginning of the fabulous era of the tutu. A time when grace and beauty, not limitations, took centre stage. A time to be reminded that fashion, like dance, is a magnificent art of expression! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to head to the theatre… A ballet lover like me can’t resist the allure of a captivating show, particularly with a tutu or two in sight! Until next Tuesday, darlings, keep twirling!
With a flourish,
Emma ✨
