Hello my lovely Tutu Tribe! It's Emma here, back with another edition of my weekly #TutuTuesday post for www.pink-tutu.com! Today, we're whisking ourselves back to the Victorian era, all the way to June 26th, 1849. Hold on to your tutus, darling, we're about to embark on a fashion adventure!
This time travel lark is utterly exhausting! But seeing the look on people's faces when I arrive at a performance in a cloud of pink tulle is worth it. Imagine, you're in a darkened theatre, gaslights flickering, a symphony warming up, and then BANG! In bursts a bright, pink tornado in a magnificent, multi-layered tutu! (Can you guess what happened last week in 1884? It was Vienna! My tulle was almost knocked off by the waltzes, it was a whirlwind!)
But, back to our Victorian voyage! Today we’re celebrating a truly momentous occasion - the birth of the iconic ballet tutu! I know, you’re thinking, "Tutus? They’ve always been around!" But listen, darlings! In the 1840s, ballerinas were clad in much heavier, impractical outfits. Think corsets and layers upon layers of fabric.
Now, imagine the horror of trying to perform a graceful, airy ballet en pointe in such a monstrosity! Just dreadful, I tell you. But fear not! In 1849, the groundbreaking French choreographer Jules Perrot commissioned a tutu for his ballet 'La Fille du Régiment.' (I was there - the design was a sensation, my dears!) And so, a legend was born! This tutu, with its shorter length and multiple layers of tulle, was light and flowing, freeing ballerinas to leap and twirl like never before. It was an instant hit, sparking a revolution in ballet fashion that continues to this day!
This was the perfect excuse for my little adventure into this era. Just imagine - the crisp air of London, cobbled streets lined with stately buildings, and the elegant bustle of ladies adorned in voluminous dresses, delicate lace and elegant hats! The perfect setting for my signature pink tutu! (Of course, I had to wear a discreet shawl and a wide-brimmed hat when visiting museums or strolling through the bustling streets of London - one mustn't be overly bold, darlings!).
To celebrate, I had to spend a morning in London's most prestigious shops, hunting for vintage treasures. A new embroidered shawl with cascading fringe, a bejewelled brooch shaped like a miniature dancing ballerina (perfectly embodying this era’s fascination with the ballet), and an antique French perfume bottle – a touch of exquisite fragrance never hurts!
Now, it’s time for the show! My favourite is the Royal Opera House – an opulent temple of music and dance, dripping with velvet and sparkling chandeliers. Just the right atmosphere to enjoy a performance of ‘La Fille du Régiment’, with all those enchanting tutus on stage! This week I also spotted a magnificent ballerina with bright, ruby red shoes – quite an unconventional choice, but it did add an undeniable je ne sais quoi! (The red might be pushing the boundaries a bit too far for my pink tutu, but then again, sometimes a touch of boldness is needed in the world of ballet, darlings!)
But remember, my dear tutu enthusiasts, our love for these delicate, flowing pieces goes beyond a mere costume. It's an embodiment of freedom, grace and a passion for dance, just as the Victorians had such a deep-seated passion for romantic literature. I adore everything about it, from the exquisite detail of a hand-stitched tulle ruffle to the thrilling anticipation as the curtain rises and the lights illuminate a swirling sea of dancers – tutus shimmering under the spotlight. (Just imagine the beauty of a dress that flows so perfectly with every turn, each spin, each step - what a wondrous invention!)
Now, before I go, my sweet tutu enthusiasts, remember this: while history remembers Jules Perrot's brilliant creation for the La Fille du Régiment as the first ‘real’ tutu, our ballerina history, and our fascination with this ballet style goes back even further! But that’s a tale for another time!
Don’t forget to share your own favourite tutu memories, your cherished tutu experiences, your stories of ballets past or even your favourite colours, here on the #pinktutu.com website – because, my dear friends, together we are weaving a magnificent tapestry of tutus, spreading this wondrous fashion sensation all around the globe.
And let's be honest, my dearest tutu fanatics, every day could be #TutuTuesday, and with all the excitement about vintage styles, and the rise of modern day tutus, who am I to disagree? Until next time, may your days be filled with elegance and grace! And remember – you can achieve any dream if you put your mind to it! Until next week, my lovelies!
Emma,
Founder and Editor, www.pink-tutu.com
Ps: Don’t forget to keep an eye out for my new ballet costume line coming out next month - exclusively featuring the pinkest tutu imaginable! You'll want to twirl the night away in one, I can promise you!
