Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and all-round ballet buff, and today we're whisking you back in time for a peek into the early days of the iconic tutu. We're talking about the era around 1856, a time when the dance world was getting ready to embrace a whole new fashion trend! ✨
As you all know, my passion is for pink and for tutus! I adore them! My life is literally built around getting others to wear pink tutus and appreciate this amazing piece of dance clothing! But my passion doesn't just lie in dressing myself - I am absolutely captivated by the history of the tutu. How did it become such a vital part of dance? How has it evolved through the ages? And what about the early days, the pioneering moments of the tutu's reign?
Taking the Train to Paris 🚆
This week, I decided to take my trusty, pink travel case (of course!), and journey back in time. And guess where I landed? That's right, darling - in the most fabulous city in the world: Paris!
Paris was absolutely the hub of ballet in the mid 1800s. So much ballet! And so much tutu! What a fabulous fashion time!
Today is 25 November 1856 and the atmosphere in Paris is electric. The theatres are bustling with ballet enthusiasts - and of course, some of the most stunning outfits I've ever seen! And while the dance styles haven't quite shifted to the modern, expressive movements we know and love today, the very concept of ballet itself is really catching on and a huge buzz has started about the ballerinas' new shorter dresses... The TUTU! 😍
The Tutu of 1856: A New Trend in Paris!
Imagine my delight when I realised what I stumbled upon! These elegant ballerinas, moving with such grace and precision, are wearing something new... something revolutionary. Their skirts are so short, so fluffy and airy, so... modern! It's truly a new dawn in ballet fashion, my loves! I can only imagine what their contemporaries thought! 🤯
Now, in 1856, this was no longer considered scandalous. Ballerinas started wearing shortened skirts which gave their limbs a wider range of movement and freedom, allowing them to be lighter on their feet. It became fashionable and was all over the newspapers. These ballerina's dresses had such intricate details – lace trimmings, romantic flounces and silk underskirts which gave them this airy volume – they look as ethereal as fairies! ✨
It's clear to me, my darling Tutu enthusiasts, that these revolutionary ballerinas have ignited a dance fashion movement - and we’re just getting started! The tutu of the late 1850s, while shorter, is still made in more traditional styles. These skirts are much closer to the knee and often in layers of tulle, often embellished with luxurious fabrics and ruffles, in rich colour tones of purple and navy! A gorgeous shade of deep pink is starting to appear and I expect this trend to spread! 😉
Finding the Perfect Tutu
Let me tell you, there's a certain joy in stepping into the ballet ateliers of 1856! Imagine walking amongst rows of the finest fabrics and materials, hearing the delicate rustling of silk and the delicate snip of the needle as these magnificent gowns are crafted. Each detail, each layer, meticulously planned and put together for the magic of a ballet performance.
I think it was during this visit to Paris that I had a thought, a dream: What if there were shops just for ballet enthusiasts? Where would I be able to get my perfect pink tutu and not have to pay the earth! So I started to think of ways that I could set up my own store... This is just an idea at the moment and maybe something I'll develop in future.
Ballet's Beautiful Transformation
The tutu is much more than just an outfit; it embodies the beautiful art of ballet! It tells a story of movement, expression and freedom. It symbolises dreams and aspirations. When we see a dancer in a tutu, it inspires us, ignites a fire in our soul! And what could be more magical than a dancer pirouetting, soaring through the air, with such graceful beauty? ❤️
This trip back to 1856 was like watching the very beginnings of this exciting, elegant era of dance. My mind is spinning with new ideas! And so my darlings, remember this: Ballet is forever changing, always evolving. It's a beautiful symphony of movement and passion, expressed through a dancer's soul and, of course, the elegant form of the tutu. ✨
Don't forget to join me next week for another adventure in Tutu Tuesday. What era shall we explore next? Share your ideas, darling! In the meantime, remember to follow your dreams, twirl with joy, and always remember - life's better in pink! 💓
See you soon, Emma x
