#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1851-01-21

Hello my lovely tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History. As always, I'm buzzing with excitement about sharing my adventures with you! And you won't believe where my time travel machine took me this week... whispers dramatically All the way back to 1851! Can you imagine? This week, we're diving right into the very beginnings of the iconic tutu.

Before we dive in, let's be honest, shall we? It's practically a law of the universe that wearing a pink tutu will immediately brighten anyone's day. Honestly, I can't think of anything that brings more smiles and sparkle to life than a swirling cloud of tulle! And my time travel adventures have only confirmed that.

So grab your tea and your fanciest biscuit and let's waltz back to 1851… This year was full of exciting developments for our beloved tutu! Picture this: A world where ballet was still evolving and gaining popularity – think graceful ladies fluttering across stages, showing off their incredible strength and beauty in "ballet d’action." (What a beautiful term, don’t you think? Much more dramatic than simply calling it ‘ballet!’) And that's where we find ourselves today: in Paris, the fashion hub of the world and home to the magical ballet of the time.

Now, back in 1851, we wouldn’t quite find our familiar tutu form. They weren't as billowy and floaty as today's versions, darling. Imagine shorter skirts, often with several layers, made of stiffer fabrics like muslin or even cotton. But they still gave the dancers amazing freedom of movement and really emphasised their graceful leaps! It's fascinating how even then, fashion was all about emphasizing the elegance of the ballerina.

You know, it's funny how the history of the tutu almost feels like a ballet itself. Imagine ballerinas performing in full-length skirts, twirling like butterflies in long, delicate silk dresses! This graceful yet cumbersome style started to feel restricting to these extraordinary dancers. They craved more freedom, more expression. And that’s exactly what happened – these creative artists started shortening their skirts, adding a few layers for dramatic volume, and they gradually experimented until the elegant and revolutionary tutu form we adore today emerged. It's incredible, isn't it?

We have so much to thank those groundbreaking ballerinas for! They fought for that freedom to twirl and fly and leap without restraint, and they revolutionized the stage and helped the tutu become the ultimate symbol of ballet.

On the subject of revolution, 1851 marked a groundbreaking exhibition in London. You'll have heard of it – The Great Exhibition! I went along for a quick whirl – and what a spectacle! The Crystal Palace, gleaming in its majestic glass and iron splendour, hosted some of the most fascinating inventions and advancements of the time. It was truly a time of change, progress and wonder. (You'll need to tell me about the time you saw the Great Exhibition – do write in, darlings!)

Naturally, my trip wouldn't be complete without a delightful spot of shopping. I adore the antique stores on the streets around the Exhibition, they're a wonderland for finding beautiful pieces of clothing with incredible stories to tell. My own vintage-style tutus are certainly a lot softer and flowy, as are all the modern tutus that our amazing contemporary dancers use. And don’t get me started on all the delicious tea and cakes I enjoyed on my travels! (Although you might be shocked to hear this, there weren't nearly as many tea shops as I'd hope to have seen – I think perhaps this could have something to do with the year - oh how the world was less charming then!)

And now, before I end this week’s blog, my darlings, I must insist on my mission, to convince the world of the magical powers of pink tutus. Every day I receive the sweetest notes from people from around the world! From Derbyshire to distant shores! The letters arrive all enclosed in the most adorable and heartwarming envelopes – they make me smile like a flower unfolding under the sun.

Remember, we are all dancers, whether it’s a twirl across the room at a party, a graceful spin under a shimmering chandelier or simply a joyful twirl down the street, we all have that magic within us. So why not embrace the whimsy and let those sparkles shine? Just imagine the world filled with happy faces, all wearing our bright pink tutus – wouldn’t it be splendid? So share the joy and start a tutu-wearing revolution – just as those inspiring ballerinas did!

Until next Tuesday! Have a fabulous week filled with swirling tulle and joyous leaps!