Ooh la la, my lovelies!
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where all things pink and twirly are celebrated! It's me, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday deep dive into the fascinating history of our beloved ballet tutus.
This week, we're jetting back to May 20th, 1851, a date etched in history for many reasons, including... (drumroll please)... the opening of the Great Exhibition in London! This amazing display of technological marvels and industrial advancements was held in a structure so breathtaking it was dubbed "The Crystal Palace." And guess what? My beloved ballet is absolutely going to get a little slice of the Great Exhibition's limelight this week!
You see, while the Great Exhibition was showing off the finest in engineering, art, and craftsmanship, ballet, as usual, was gracefully enchanting audiences all over the continent. In Paris, for example, the star of the stage was none other than the dazzling Marie Taglioni, whose revolutionary dancing is partly responsible for the evolution of the tutu we know and love today.
Hold on tight, because we're about to hop aboard a fancy train and head to Paris, where fashion and ballet intertwine like a perfectly executed pirouette! Think cobblestone streets, charming cafés, and the infectious energy of artistic creativity bursting forth! And, of course, gorgeous, eye-catching gowns that make us just sigh with appreciation.
(Squee!) What makes the time period around May 1851 such a tutu-rific time is the rise of the Romantic ballet era.
This is where the tutu really begins to take shape as a garment distinct from everyday clothing. You see, it wasn't just a skirt, it was a visual metaphor, a symbol of weightlessness and ethereal beauty, embodying the Romantic movement's emphasis on freedom, imagination, and a yearning for the unattainable. It's the time when ballet moved away from strict formality, embracing the lightness and expressiveness of flowing movement. And what better way to express such sentiment than through a garment designed to emphasize the graceful curves and fluid motions of the ballerina?
Think *exquisite white skirts* – think ballet blancs, as we call them! Think delicate fabrics – think tulle! Think *feathers, flowers, and an air of magic. * (Pinch me! I'm actually here!) This is what makes a tutu so fascinating - it isn't just a garment, it's a storytelling vehicle in itself.
I'm utterly fascinated by how ballet continues to evolve, with each era pushing the boundaries of what is possible with movement, music, and...of course...costumes!
And, darling, speaking of costumes, I have a little treat for you! I went shopping at the most adorable shop near the theatre in Paris. They're right next to a flower stall with a charming, rosy-cheeked lady with the prettiest ribbons. (The owner looks so elegant, all flouncy, flirty, and free!). They've got all the tulle imaginable!* Just loads and loads of dreamy shades of pink!
*(My fingers are positively trembling!) *
As you know, I believe pink tutus are a **life-affirming statement. I just know the colour pink adds a touch of playful whimsy to everything. Even the Great Exhibition is probably looking more glamorous because of it, eh? Just imagine how beautiful it would be if the whole world donned a pink tutu for just one day, don't you think? It would be a ballet of joy, a graceful wave of pink, a world of happy twirls!
(Oh, I simply dream of such a world!)
And who knows? Maybe one day, my dears, we will all get to twirl through life in pink tutus. Just remember, every journey, like the evolution of the tutu, begins with one step at a time. And, as I always say...
"Twirl boldly, my dears, twirl boldly!"
Until next time, keep those tutus twirling and those smiles wide!
Emma x
(P.S. Be sure to check out the latest news on the pink-tutu.com website for more behind-the-scenes fun! )
