Bonjour, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you away on another adventure in the enchanting history of ballet tutus! This Tuesday, we're boarding the express train to 1855, the year Marie Taglioni's ethereal sylph graced the stage and set the world alight!
It's a bright, crisp January day in London. The city is buzzing with energy as carriages and hansom cabs clatter down cobbled streets, their passengers a whirlwind of tweed jackets, lace, and feathered hats. As I hop off the train at Euston station, I can already feel the anticipation in the air.
For you see, this isn't just any ordinary Tuesday. Tonight, the world's best dancers will take the stage at Covent Garden, where the first performance of Giselle is set to mesmerise! My oh my, am I excited to witness the magic unfold!
Speaking of magic, the tutus themselves are in a state of glorious evolution! You know, back in the 18th century, dancers would simply swish about in long skirts. Very elegant, I'm sure you'll agree, but rather restrictive! Then, the Romantic Era arrived, bringing with it a yearning for freedom, lightness, and – dare I say – a dash of whimsicality.
And that, my dears, is where the magic really started!
Enter the "tutu," a term we can thank a Parisian milliner named "Charles Frederick Worth" for, but a creation that can be traced back to the artistry of Carlotta Grisi, who, in 1841, daringly introduced a daring new design: A shortened skirt, a true revelation in the world of dance. A tulle tutu ! The romantic era called for the dramatic, and ballet answered with " *a lightness and airy quality *" as dancer's skirts fluttered and danced like the wings of a bird in flight.
Carlotta's groundbreaking "La Esmeralda" made such an impression that designers across the globe responded with variations, like the* "Bell-Shaped tutu,"* with its gentle curvature that flattered the female form.
1855 marks the year* "Giselle" hit the stage at Covent Garden with a flourish. We see a breathtaking, cascading "romantic tutu" * - think layers upon layers of *soft tulle, gently gathered, a testament to that enchanting *whimsical charm ** of the ballet world.
While it wouldn't be until 1920s with a design by Leon Bakst who extended the tutu line, emphasizing a slender form and highlighting the ballet technique, that we would see the creation of the "tutu en pointe," * where the fabric of the tutu ends where the dancer is en pointe, our ballet tutu in 1855 is ALREADY *transforming into what we know today , a garment meant for elegance and beauty as dancers flit and twirl like ethereal figures.
What a magnificent time to be alive! Now, while I don't always travel with a ballet company, I do always bring along my pink tutu, you know, to match the blush on my cheeks at such glorious performances. Speaking of, who's ready to shop for some adorable tutus with me? I'm already planning a visit to Madame Worth's new shop on Rue de la Paix.
I'll be back next Tuesday with more tutu-tastic history, but until then, don't forget to share your favourite ballerina photos with #TutuTuesday. After all, sharing is caring – especially when it comes to our shared love for the enchanting world of ballet!
Yours in pirouettes and pretty pink,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to join me at www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for your weekly dose of tutus! I’ve also been thinking of adding a special "Fashion Finds" section. Have a lovely week, darlings! I can't wait to see you next week!
