Hello my lovely readers, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet! I’m Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, and today is the glorious day – #TutuTuesday!
It’s been an absolutely whirlwind week for me – last week, I found myself dancing across the stage in beautiful Vienna, the City of Music! Can you imagine the energy of that crowd? Absolutely electric! Vienna has the most beautiful theatre, I swear, with these intricate, golden designs that you just get lost in! Then, of course, there’s the shopping – did I tell you I picked up this stunning pink satin bodice from the most charming little shop near the opera house? Honestly, the colour is to die for, perfect with my favourite tulle tutu – but I'm getting ahead of myself!
You know how I love history, and today's journey back in time is going to be an extra special one, bringing us to a truly significant moment in ballet’s evolution! Let’s whisk ourselves back to 19th July 1859, a day just bubbling with energy in the ballet world – in fact, I'd say the ballet world has been bubbling with energy since the very beginning, much like a perfectly-churned frothy mousse!
So, grab your teacup and settle in, my darlings, as we journey through time and dance with history!
On this particular date in 1859, a very special ballerina was dazzling Parisian audiences in The Grand Opera. You see, our beloved tutu, my favourite garment ever (well, you already knew that, right?!), was still a relatively new sensation, having just popped up in the late 1830s and quickly becoming all the rage!
In those early years, tutus were quite different from what we're used to today – much longer and flowier. They were often referred to as "romantics," all airy and dreamlike! Imagine wispy tulle, the light gently filtering through the layers, with long, flowing skirts reaching the floor, practically begging for the chance to pirouette! You might find it strange that we went from those elaborate floor-sweeping numbers to the super short styles we have today – I still love both! The change from romantic tutu to what we have now really had a lot to do with those lovely dancers of the time.
There are two major figures that deserve credit for the incredible influence they had on the way ballerinas looked on stage – Marie Taglioni and Fanny Cerrito! Oh my goodness, these ladies were absolutely divine! They had so much energy and flair! They were known for their immense grace and strength. They brought an innovative, bold, yet playful feel to the ballet stage. I've watched some videos from that era - incredible. With those long, sweeping tutus, you really got the feeling of floating and their jumps...they were practically reaching for the heavens! These two fabulous ladies really pushed those long, dreamy romantic tutus to the limit, showcasing the potential for the ultimate feminine expression - and you can really see how much passion for ballet radiated through them. They are both truly iconic!
So back to 19th July 1859…The Parisian stage would be bursting with talent. Now, you’re probably wondering - why did I pick July 19th, right? Well, imagine the sheer thrill of witnessing an utterly spectacular ballerina taking centre stage – it's the night that legendary ballerina Marie Taglioni, the icon of her time, took a final bow. What a story to tell! That’s why this date is so significant for tutu history - we celebrate the artistry and strength that she displayed, and it all stemmed from her beautiful grace!
I've gotta say, I just adore everything about those vintage styles! That air of magic that radiates off of dancers in their elegant costumes just melts my heart! It truly represents a moment when art met beauty - they've even inspired modern designs! In fact, this summer I picked up a pair of vintage-inspired slippers to add some romance to my own wardrobe, and a gorgeous tulle skirt just like the romantic ones. I felt like a princess!
But the journey of the tutu doesn’t end there, darling! That iconic romantic style continued to be popular throughout the 19th century - a real testament to the timelessness and effortless beauty of a true classic! We’ll explore that in future #TutuTuesday blog posts - there are so many fun facts and fascinating figures waiting to be uncovered!
To celebrate today's Tutu Tuesday, here's my call to action - take a twirl and feel the joy! Embrace the playful beauty of the tutu, go for a walk in the park, and imagine you're waltzing across a grand stage with the most lovely pink tutu you’ve ever seen. Just like a ballet dancer in those golden times!
Of course, nothing beats actually going to a show! Do you want to join me in the ultimate fashion spree - shopping for the cutest tutus imaginable, to honour those ballerinas who really danced their hearts out? I already have a shop I’ve been meaning to visit in London... My goodness, London’s theatre scene is always incredible. But what’s best is, that beautiful pink satin bodice will look fantastic with a gorgeous full tutu in the grand London theatre – wouldn't it look so fantastic under the golden chandeliers?! The London Palladium's beautiful golden-detailed theatre stage has definitely given me some grand, sparkling ideas for my own show, as you know I'm a real fan of theatre ballet and street performance... I've already designed a fantastic stage setup for an upcoming show... I'm aiming for that 'Belle Epoque' feel - it will be simply fantastic!
This has been my latest journey through #TutuTuesday - hope you enjoyed it, my darlings! Please don't forget to subscribe to my website www.pink-tutu.com for your regular TutuTuesday fix. I always include details of my latest travels, favourite tutu spots, new performances - and all things pink!
Remember to tag me in your own ballet moments on Twitter with #PinkTutuEmma - it brings a smile to my face whenever I see my beautiful readers dancing with confidence and joy, wearing your gorgeous tutus, just like those amazing ballerinas back in time!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time for me to head off on my next ballet adventure!
Until next time, darling! 💖
P.S. Stay tuned for some exciting developments in my next blog - we’ll be venturing through history again, and I'm giving away my very favourite vintage ballet book to one lucky reader, which I personally found tucked away in Paris - but don't worry, there are some very exciting modern designs to feature too! And who knows where this next #TutuTuesday adventure might lead - I'm always ready for a magical ride with the tutu!
