Hello darlings!
It’s Emma here, back from another delightful time-hopping adventure! I’m finally back in my lovely London flat, my suitcase bursting with gorgeous vintage finds and my heart filled with the magic of the 1850s. Today marks the 1194th instalment of my weekly #TutuTuesday blog, and oh, the stories I have to share about tutus, theatre, and the beginning of a truly magical fashion moment!
First off, let's talk about my stunning pink travel outfit. For this journey, I opted for a soft, ethereal pink tulle tutu, the kind you see in old romantic ballets. It rustled delightfully as I zipped through the train compartments, the tulle catching the light just perfectly! And yes, it was definitely a "talking point" amongst the passengers! You know, sometimes, you just have to wear pink!
Anyway, as you know, I adore ballet and its history. That’s why today we’re taking a deep dive into 1854 and the beginnings of that famous ballet costume we adore so much: the tutu! Now, this date might not scream “tutu!”, but it marks the performance of a ballet that played a HUGE part in its development. It’s “The Sleeping Beauty”, starring the phenomenal ballerina Carlotta Grisi!
Picture this: The glittering world of the Paris Opera House. The air hums with anticipation as the stage lights blaze. The audience whispers excitedly. And then…the stage lights focus on a slender ballerina in a skirt of flowing, diaphanous tulle. She is graceful, powerful, and ethereal, swirling with elegant movement as she dances. And she is… wearing a tutu!
Now, the “Sleeping Beauty” didn’t quite kick off the whole “tutu revolution,” but it was a pivotal moment. The use of tulle and its flowy, light design allowed for incredible flexibility and movement. This performance pushed the boundaries of ballet costume design and changed how the dancers moved. The tutus allowed the grace and strength of the ballet dancers to take centre stage, their limbs stretching gracefully and soaring effortlessly through the air.
Of course, even in the mid-1800s, ballet tutus didn’t look quite like they do today. Imagine a longer, slightly heavier tutu, maybe even paired with a fluffy skirt. Think less en pointe ballerina and more fairytale princess. The silhouette is undeniably romantic and beautiful, with delicate layers of fabric catching the light with a charming shimmer.
As for my day in London today? Well, I'm going to start with a delightful cup of tea. You simply cannot have a truly romantic day without a perfect cuppa. And then? A spot of shopping at my favourite vintage boutique – you know, finding just the right embellishment to add a touch of sparkle to my next costume! You know how it is – sometimes a little sparkle is just what you need!
Then, perhaps a little wander around Covent Garden. I am always in awe of the beauty of the Victorian architecture. They built everything so beautifully in those days. Even the gaslights! A truly magical place, and oh so perfect for imagining your own Victorian ballet production!
And if you want to dive deeper into the wonderful world of ballet tutus, do pop over to my website at www.pink-tutu.com! There are loads of blogs posts packed with everything you could ever wish to know about ballet history. And please, feel free to pop in your comments below and let me know what you think!
Till next Tuesday darlings, keep twirling!
Emma xxx
