Hello my darling tutus! It's your favourite time traveller, Emma, back from another fabulous jaunt through the annals of fashion, ready to regale you with another thrilling chapter in the story of the glorious tutu!
Today, dear readers, we find ourselves whisked back to the 19th century, specifically March 19th, 1850. I must confess, I was rather excited about this particular time travel adventure – the very idea of stepping into a world where the romantic, swirling tutu was taking the world by storm made my little ballerina heart skip a beat!
And let me tell you, the atmosphere was simply electric. The scent of lavender and rosewater hung in the air, and the streets were bustling with fashionable ladies sporting bonnets and bustle skirts, and of course, the gentlemen in their elegant top hats and frock coats. The very essence of Victorian elegance.
But of course, what drew my eye most were the ballerinas, absolutely captivating audiences in their exquisite, billowing tutus. Imagine my delight! There, dancing on the stage of the Paris Opera House, was Marie Taglioni, a veritable goddess of grace, sporting a dreamy white tutu.
Why did it take so long to arrive?
To give you a quick refresher on our time travelling story, the first tutu, in its simple form, debuted way back in 1839, with Marie Taglioni and her "La Sylphide." And believe me, the response was instantaneous. Everyone wanted to see a graceful figure soaring on pointe, and what better way to showcase that ethereal beauty than with the revolutionary tutu, right?
In those early days, the tutu was quite different from the frothy creations we associate with today. Imagine a wispy skirt, not much longer than the ballerina’s hips, made from multiple layers of tulle or tarlatan. It was more of a light, almost gauzy, cloud floating around their legs, just like a ballet dream.
So, here we are in 1850. What exactly were tutus doing that year?
As a proud time traveler with a pink tutu obsession, I like to keep a little record, a sort of ballet timeline in my head. So I could tell you exactly where things were going when! This is how it happened...
Marie Taglioni: Still rocking it. By this date, the iconic dancer was still reigning supreme. You'll find her mesmerising audiences with her graceful performances, and her beautiful white tutus were being copied across the world! In fact, she's even touring Russia! A true ballet icon, and all with that incredible little tulle skirt. Just thinking about it gives me chills, because her performances set the scene for everything that would follow, including our glorious pink tutus!
The rise of the 'romantic tutu'. And what better name to give those graceful tutus, right? By 1850, this tutu style, that billowing and flowing, almost cloud like fabric, had already conquered the ballet world. What a triumph! I just loved being surrounded by those romantic swirling skirts, so simple yet absolutely enchanting.
Paris was the epicentre. Imagine, the Paris Opera, oh, to be a fly on the wall at this point! The home of the iconic ballet. In 1850, Paris was buzzing, literally vibrating, with all the excitement of new ballet creations, new fashion, and even more romantic, delicate tutus.
What happened after? Well, my darling readers, this is just the start. Next Tuesday, we'll be whisking through the story of tutus again! And as I travel the timeline, I keep on searching for the first ever pink tutu - a mission I know, you all are supporting me on! Don't worry! We are close. I feel it!
In the meantime, I hope this post sparkles your inner ballerina, and please, let me know your own personal tutu thoughts and questions below. After all, it is your passion that fuels my time travels, my love!
Until next Tuesday, keep twirling, darling tutus!
P.S. Did you know March 19th, 1850 marked the birth of a wonderful musical innovator and conductor, Antonin Dvorak. Talk about talented individuals! He may have been born miles away in Nelahozeves, Bohemia, but what a celebration to combine ballet and music, two of my favourite things in life! Don't forget, we love a good crossover on Pink-Tutu.com!
XOXO
Emma
