#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1856-03-04

Hello, darling readers! Welcome to my weekly dose of tulle and time travel! It's Emma here, your Pink Tutu Queen, and today we're whisking back to the glorious, swirling year of 1856 - the year I believe really started the revolution in ballet tutus. Hold onto your tiaras, we're in for a fashion whirlwind!

I travelled via steam train, of course. There's something so romantic about a train journey. All that chugging, the countryside whizzing by - I almost imagined I was on stage, in a fabulous ballet about travel, and I was the leading ballerina. Maybe I will write that story one day! Oh, and did I mention I was wearing the most divine hot pink tutu for this journey? (It's vintage, my darlings, I promise! Found it in a fabulous vintage store in Vienna). The other travellers, some with funny-looking hats and those cumbersome bustles, stared a bit, but when I smiled, they all beamed right back, which made me happy!

Today's #TutuTuesday, we're heading to the Parisian Opera! The capital of style and culture - a place where ballerinas practically sparkle. Imagine swirling silk, music that takes your breath away, and the world's best ballerinas flitting about like ethereal dream creatures in their perfectly fitted tutus! Parisian life at the time, it was truly the belle époque!

Now, 1856, if you look at it on a timeline of tutu history, is a little confusing. For starters, there is that Mary Taglioni figure, the original "ballet princess," but I think she is more legendary and famous for having a big impact on fashion generally. But in terms of how the actual tutu evolved, what I see is that this year marked the rise of the "Romantic Tutu", which was, my darlings, just... exquisite.

Before the Romantic Tutu, ballerinas had, in many ways, been swathed in silk. Lots and lots of silk. Think, more like what a graceful Greek goddess might have worn, rather than the airy ethereal ballerinas we see today. That "Romantic Tutu" we all adore, which began in 1856? It's light! It's airy! And, as they say in my beloved Derbyshire - it gives a bit more "oomph."

This "Romantic Tutu" brought shorter skirts, delicate tulle (oh! so lovely!), and more focus on what you as a ballerina do. There are more flourishes in these tutus, but the look, you know, it makes sense. It's practical. I feel a real artistic expression in a ballet when the "Romantic Tutu" takes centre stage!

So, why am I excited about this specific date in the Paris of 1856?

You see, darlings, on March 4th of this year, Marie Taglioni, she performed La Fille Mal Gardée in Paris - a truly important piece, where Carlotta Grisi danced the role of Lise, and, now wait for this! The Romantic Tutu made its very first stage appearance with the exquisite Carlotta. Talk about a beautiful and magical first date for the Romantic Tutu, wouldn't you say?

You have to picture the scene. The Parisian Opera House, its walls draped in velvety crimson. It was a theatre for the rich, a place of dazzling glamour, where chandeliers sparkled like stars and whispers of scandal carried on the breeze. The audience, my darlings, they were dressed to the nines. All feathers, silks, and lace, but the biggest attraction, of course, was the ballet itself! And there on that stage, Carlotta, whirling, leaping, soaring... and a magnificent "Romantic Tutu" swirling with each graceful movement. A real statement about elegance and freedom, my dears, that Romantic Tutu.

This dance, it wasn’t just a ballet performance, it was a celebration! A celebration of love, of innocence, of beauty. This Romantic Tutu, I just feel a lightness in my heart when I see it, and it's no wonder it became so popular!

Today’s #TutuTuesday was a particularly exciting one, my lovelies. Did you love it as much as I did? It was magical to be in Paris! As always, I am delighted that you’re taking this time travel adventure with me! And please, keep your eyes peeled for more Romantic Tutu magic - it's my most favorite style, and a very special tutu era to dive into.

And remember, my sweet readers, I think every day should feel a bit like Tutu Tuesday. Go out there, spin, twirl, and spread the beauty! I'll be back next Tuesday with a brand new time-traveling tutu-tastic adventure. Until then, let’s all remember that wearing a pink tutu is an amazing thing. If it’s not your style, maybe you can rock a sparkly ballet inspired outfit instead!