Welcome back, darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, and I’m so delighted to be back for another edition of #TutuTuesday, our weekly delve into the delightful world of ballet’s most iconic garment - the tutu! This week, my lovelies, we're stepping back in time to 26th May 1857, a date that truly marks a turning point in tutu history. And, wouldn't you know it, it's time for a little trip! I'm hopping aboard the train and heading to the glamorous, fashionable capital of Paris - the perfect place to understand how the tutu evolved into the gorgeous, graceful garment we adore today!
(But first, darlings, a quick word about this blog! Did you know you can sign up for email updates? You'll be the first to know about my latest trips, my top picks for tutu styles, and the hottest shows around! Click the link below to subscribe!)
(And remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com to see my favourite ballet tutus! I'm especially loving the new collection of blush pink tutus with sparkling silver accents, oh-so-divine!)
(Don't forget to use my hashtag #TutuTuesday for your ballet tutu pics on socials, lovelies! You can even tag me, @PinkTutuEmma - I love seeing your creations!)
Now, back to our historical adventure! 1857 – can you believe it? Well, in Paris, life was in full bloom. This was the time of Charles Baudelaire, the time of romanticism, of poets, and… of ballet. We're not talking the dainty, refined ballet of today. No, darlings! 1857 saw a flamboyant, romantic ballet style. Think elaborate sets, romantic plots, and costumes with dramatic flair. Oh, and those tutus! You haven’t seen a real tutu until you’ve seen a romantic-era one.
Our main girl for today's journey? La Sylphide by the famed ballet composer, Jean Schneitzhoeffer. The original Sylphide, Marie Taglioni, was famous for her revolutionary performance, especially the incredible pas de pointe, or “dance on point.” This style is almost unrecognizable from the current style of dancing we are used to, so incredibly romantic and passionate! You’ve got to picture these delicate ballet shoes and those glorious tulle skirts, fluttering with every leap and twirl!
It's important to understand, lovelies, that the tutus we see today evolved from this! The romantic era was pivotal, a time when the tutu took its first giant leap, or shall I say, grand jeté, towards what it is today.
(Picture it: Emma is standing in front of a giant painting depicting a ballerina in a full romantic-style tutu, smiling at the audience)
Think of it this way: the tutus of this time, were all about dramatic lines, romanticism, and showing off those breathtaking pas de pointe movements. This, darlings, was how ballerinas captured the attention of the entire Parisian social scene!
And those colours, oh, they were spectacular. Light pinks and blush shades were incredibly popular – imagine the gentle swaying of these tutus! It’s practically irresistible to gaze upon! La Sylphide, for instance, was a ballet overflowing with feminine grace, often involving those gorgeous, light-coloured, tulle tutus. So it’s a big, fat yes, darling, for this being our historical pick!
In the coming decades, as the style moved from romanticism to realism, the tutu continued to evolve, shortening, getting even more ethereal, and focusing on accentuating the dance’s elegance and dynamism. But the key to it all? Those romantic beginnings!
This #TutuTuesday we've taken a step back in time to celebrate those early days of the tutu, when it was still a relatively new concept and when ballet was bursting with all those dreamy, romantic vibes! As we move forward in our #TutuTuesday journey, we'll be seeing how the tutu changed shape, adapted to different styles of dance, and continues to captivate audiences even today.
Until then, remember, dear darlings: wear a pink tutu! And always remember to be bold and fearless – just like those lovely ballet dancers in the Romantic era who dared to challenge the boundaries of dance!
I’ll be back next Tuesday for another amazing episode of #TutuTuesday, and I’ll leave you with one of my favorite #TutuTuesday quotes, a reminder of how special tutus are!
“To me, a tutu is more than just a costume – it’s a symbol of creativity, strength, and a lifelong passion for the beauty of dance.” - Emma
See you all soon, darlings! And remember, if you see me on a train or at the ballet, feel free to say hello! Just make sure you’re wearing a pink tutu!
