#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1853-11-29

Hello my darling tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to another glorious edition of #TutuTuesday, where we dance our way through time, discovering the fascinating history of the ballet tutu!

Today we’re jetting back to 1853 – the year that felt like the world truly embraced the ballet tutu (well, for certain circles at least). And it’s been my delight, oh it's been a real joy, to discover that while the tutu was gaining momentum, I, my little pink tutu-clad self, am actually on the brink of attending a sensational, absolutely wonderful ballet performance tonight at La Scala in Milan! Squeals I know! How utterly divine, just utterly divine, I can barely contain my excitement!

For post #1144 on pink-tutu.com, let's take a little journey back, and find out just how the tutu evolved to the stage of glamour that we're experiencing tonight...

As ever, it all started with Carlotta Grisi, a renowned ballerina with such captivating style, she could charm the birds from the trees (well, not actually but you get my drift). Now, Grisi, oh how I admire her! Her style became the benchmark of grace. I would so love to have been her best friend, sipping champagne in Paris between rehearsals, but we'll talk about that next Tuesday! But she brought in the iconic Romantic Tutu - short and flouncy - like a puff of spun sugar on a glorious ballerina, ready for graceful leaps. Now the Romantic tutu truly opened up a world of beautiful dance possibilities, as you can imagine. So imagine, this was a major shift from the heavier skirts of the past that limited their steps and their joy! I'm truly grateful for Grisi and her revolutionary spirit, it's how we got here to enjoy tutus like they are now.

But 1853! Now, in this wonderful, bustling year we are starting to see something extra exciting - the tutu really became THE wardrobe essential for any dancer worth their salt, especially for a theatrical ballerina like me. The theatrical and ballet scene truly oozed tutus. I can almost hear the rustle of tulle just thinking about it!

I am now seated in the wonderful carriages heading to Milan, just after arriving from Paris and London and am, as always, overwhelmed by all the fashionable finery I see in Europe, but here we are - I mean, in the heart of fashion and ballet, isn't that thrilling! Oh how exciting to know we are smack in the middle of where history is being made with tutus in Milan! This vibrant city - you just know it's teeming with artists and dancers in their silk, taffeta, and, of course, tutus. Imagine it, everyone with a different style. I wonder, does every ballerina even carry a pocket mirror? And how is everyone so beautifully and effortlessly stylish? Such is the elegance that comes with such graceful style. It feels like all of fashion has truly taken off. I'm trying not to squeal, because in a way this is how we ended up wearing our *tutus in Derbyshire as a child, and how it's been able to carry on, across generations in London and even America now, it all started here. The joy I'm feeling, oh I just can't even explain how I feel. I mean we could barely imagine it back then - my goodness how far the world of ballet and tutus has come. And what about all the beautiful fashion from the shops. I adore the shop windows in London, with their incredible clothing designs, which reminds me, how on earth does my trunk not weigh ten tons - but I have simply had to fill it with amazing fabric samples!

Let’s chat a little about how our beautiful ballerina, Marie Taglioni (don’t we all know about Marie Taglioni - well you do now!) inspired a lot of what we're seeing and wearing now, by wearing her very first tutu - it was designed to be seen and cherished - I wonder what she'd think of tutus being in a children's clothing section! But she started this whole movement, of course. I mean I wouldn't be wearing my darling, adorable pink tutu if it wasn't for her! And now all these decades later, she must be watching down at us now from a fluffy cloud, happy that her legacy is inspiring, well frankly every dancer on earth! Just wait until I see her stunning costume tonight, she will make me cry, that's for sure. It's going to be phenomenal. My little pink tutu might look a tad ordinary!

I think the key takeaway from all this, is to embrace change and embrace your style, with or without a tutu, but *pink would always be a good choice! If you're even going to consider wearing something else at all.

I just can't get over it all. My trip to Italy has truly made my month. There's just so much to discover! If you could join me on my adventures it would be divine but you can stay up to date through this very blog, which has become my way to bring a little sparkle into everyone's lives, hopefully!

Of course, the best way to understand ballet's evolution is to experience the magic in person! I can't wait for this show in Milan and how they have adapted the costumes in their theatre...I have heard tell that we will be seeing some truly unique takes on traditional tutus. It is going to be an absolute feast of feathers and fabric! And possibly pink too! It really is something I've wanted to experience since I started dreaming of tutus in my tiny town.

Now that I've shared a bit of ballet history, how about I take you with me on this train ride! If I'm lucky we might even pass some pretty cows on the way (although, I suspect not many cows would look at my tutu!). Stay tuned for another thrilling post, next week, same time, same place. If you want a ballet, and tutu, story told for you - leave me a comment below! This is Emma signing off!