Dearest Readers,
Welcome to #TutuTuesday, post number 953 on www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-licious! As always, I’m your pink-clad time-traveling companion, Emma, ready to whisk you away to a historical adventure.
Today we’re travelling back to April 2nd, 1850. I'm feeling absolutely chuffed about this date! This, my dears, is a time when fashion and ballet are about to tango, leading to one of the most exciting developments in our beloved tutus.
We’re in the heart of Paris, where the fashion scene is buzzing like a hive of busy bees. The iconic Grand Opera House stands tall and majestic, and the air is electric with anticipation for the next thrilling performance. Can you imagine? Opera, tutus, and sparkling lighting? A most divine combination!
Now, let me transport you to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. This is where we find our first taste of Marie Taglioni’s enchanting “La Sylphide” ballet, a performance that literally changed the way tutus looked.
Forget the long, heavy skirts of yore, this new “sylphide” costume was designed to look impossibly light and airy, as if a creature of myth was stepping onto the stage! The key? It was shorter – much shorter than what ballerinas had been wearing! Imagine the collective gasp from the audience – what a sight to behold! It was almost indecent at the time!
Think tulle and flounces, delicate and dreamy, a dramatic departure from the weighty velvet skirts and brocades of the past. The new look gave dancers more freedom to leap and spin, making the dancing even more graceful and expressive. And it must be said, the audience went completely mad for it, which is why we see the famous tutus being adopted across the globe like wildfire shortly afterwards.
This, my darlings, is a crucial moment in tutu history and a reminder of how fashion and ballet have always intertwined. Think of the elegance, the grace, the pure artistic beauty of it all. It's a time that set the stage for the exquisite tutus that continue to take centre stage today.
While I'm in Paris for my #TutuTuesday adventures, I can't resist popping into some of the fabulous Parisian fashion houses. The fabrics are so luxurious! Imagine shimmering silk, delicate lace, and soft satins just begging to be transformed into tutus. This period marked the birth of an utterly unique fashion aesthetic, a testament to feminine beauty and grace – I adore it!
To celebrate #TutuTuesday, I’m wearing a gorgeous pink tutu myself. Pink is so utterly charming and truly fits the delicate and ethereal feeling of the era, don't you agree? And since I’m already in the neighbourhood, * I plan to attend a grand ball, complete with waltz, ballroom dancing, and yes, plenty of sparkling tutus!* Who knows? Maybe a chance to waltz with a dashing duke? It certainly adds an extra layer of whimsical charm to my time travel.
Keep your eyes peeled for more #TutuTuesday adventures – and do remember to share your own #TutuSelfie on social media – you all look positively smashing in them! Until next week, keep the spirit of tutus alive!
With love,
Emma 🩰
P.S. I am making my way home from this week's trip on a magnificent train ride to Derbyshire. The countryside looks like an emerald painting. What a delightful view as I gaze out of the window, writing my #TutuTuesday post in my journal.
