Oh darling, do you have a moment for some sartorial escapades in the magical world of the tutu?! I've travelled back in time today to 20th March 1849, and I'm positively thrilled to share some history of our favourite form of attire, yes, the ballet tutu, with you.
As a fellow tutu aficionado, I know you're just dying to know, "But Emma, how did we get to such divine creations?!" Well, buckle your ballet slippers, because we're diving straight into the 19th Century! This period is absolutely bursting with style and grace, especially in the world of dance, where tutus started making their dazzling debut.
Before we head to the grand stages of 1849, it's crucial we pay homage to those pioneers of tutus who came before, back in the days of the Roman Empire. The Roman ballerinas of yore, known for their fluid movements and impressive technique, loved wearing flowing robes which resembled early tutus! Talk about timeless elegance, eh?
And now, we travel onwards to the early 19th century, a truly thrilling time in the evolution of our favourite frilly friends. Imagine my excitement when I discovered how the famous French dancer, Marie Taglioni, had the grand idea of adapting the skirt of the "Romantic dress" to create a "tutu," lighter and more airy than what had come before! This beautiful gown with its voluminous layers became the defining garment for the ballerinas of this era, paving the way for the modern day tutu as we know it!
Just think, darling! No more stuffy, restrictive costumes, the freedom of movement and graceful swirls took centre stage. Such a transformation was a true revelation, allowing dancers to express their artistic vision with more elegance and poise than ever before. Don't you just love the sheer creativity and audacity that brought this about?!
The tutu was also, it must be said, incredibly influential. Marie Taglioni's grace, both on and off stage, made this dancewear a sensation and had all the society ladies yearning to emulate the ballerinas, the tutu becoming a trend that swept through fashionable circles! It was like wearing the aura of the stage itself - it just gave you that air of mystique! The Romantic style is what started it all - the romantic era saw women wearing more whimsical, feminine, lighter outfits. So much like how I wear pink tutus with matching shoes and purses! (I even managed to find pink sunglasses here! Such a wonderful discovery, you can imagine how much I’m in love with it!)
I could talk about Marie Taglioni all day, but, darlings, our adventures continue in the year 1849.
March 20th, 1849 - a Day for Dancing!
It's a brilliant spring day in London, England! It's simply overflowing with artistic life. And the ballet scene? It's absolutely captivating! Imagine yourself there - theatres filled with elegant ladies and gentlemen, their faces gleaming with excitement for a performance of the latest sensation, "Giselle," a ballet brimming with the passionate emotions of love and despair!
It is said that Giselle is the perfect showcase for a classic, two-tier tutu, a style that allows ballerinas to demonstrate incredible dexterity with every pirouette. How enchanting is that? Can't you practically see them gracefully leaping through the air, swirling through a sea of music and movement?! This is why, you see, this two-tier tutu is truly an essential part of the ballerina's wardrobe. It captures the sheer elegance of a ballerina in motion!
You might be wondering, what did I wear today in this fashion-filled voyage to the past? I, of course, opted for a pretty, voluminous pink tutu, made of delicate tulle. My ballet shoes, naturally, were pink too, with a dash of sparkly sequins that glittered under the sunshine. The delightful pastel colours, just right for a spring day!
It's hard to leave London - the bustle, the shopping and, most importantly, the ballet, all hold me in their thrall. But, for now, we'll be transported once again in our next #TutuTuesday adventure! I shall let you in on a little secret, my dearest readers: I'll be revisiting 19th century ballet and fashion, taking us all through the many styles and trends of tutus. And remember: I adore hearing from you all - so if you have any suggestions or memories, let me know! It’s the passion of all of us that keeps these stories going and encourages me to travel far and wide in my pink tutus.
Keep swirling and stay tuned for our next adventure!
Your Tutu-loving Emma,Until next week darling, x
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