Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday blog post!
As always, my dears, this week we are stepping back in time for a delightful jaunt into the world of ballet history! Today's date is a special one - December 27th, 1859! The air is crisp and the smell of Christmas still hangs in the air, just waiting to be replaced with the alluring aroma of the grand old theatres. Ah, London in December ā so much to see, so much to wear, and oh, so many exciting things happening in the ballet world!
Iāve just returned from a magical journey aboard the luxurious Pullman express - all plush red velvet seating and charming chitter-chatter! The scenery flew by in a delightful blur as I travelled down to the heart of London for a thrilling ballet performance at Covent Garden. Iāve been dying to see āLa Fille mal gardĆ©eā, one of the very first ballets to embrace the charmingly cheeky "whimsical" tone that audiences adore. Honestly, it's so perfectly bonkers - a wonderfully frivolous love story featuring mischievous lovers, meddling parents, and even a hilarious rooster who nearly steals the show!
Speaking of āwhimsical,ā isn't this dress simply darling? It's the perfect embodiment of romantic charm, complete with delicate ruffles and a beautifully embroidered bodice. A lovely light-blue satin that feels positively luxurious on the skin, perfect for a night at the theatre!
But now, onto the history, my dears! Let's discuss tutus on this December 27th in 1859. While I canāt go too far into the past for obvious reasons (imagine wearing a fluffy pink tutu while navigating a time machine? I just couldn't bear the thought!), I can tell you that the world of ballet was on the brink of a significant evolution. The classical tutu, as we know it today, was gaining popularity. This means a shorter, airy tutu with layers and layers of tulle, offering the graceful freedom of movement and highlighting the ballerina's graceful lines - much like my little number, if I do say so myself!
I think I just got a fabulous idea for my next outfit ā why not pair a little black cocktail dress with a delicate, very short, very fluffy tutu for that perfectly contrasting touch of whimsical elegance! I shall just need to have a quick jaunt through the boutiques of Regent Street for a slightly shorter numberā¦ and some dazzling diamonds!
Imagine, my loves, the elegant spectacle of the era ā grand chandeliers lighting up elaborate stage sets, women with bejeweled hair ornaments in cascading ringlets, and men in fine, tailored jackets admiring the grace of the dancers. I do love how they managed to make the most simple things look spectacular! Now if I could only travel back to Paris in the 1780s to see the very first Romantic tutu ā¦ but I think we can talk about that another day!
While 1859 doesnāt quite have the historical heft of say, the 1820s (the invention of the ballet shoe as we know itā¦ I had the best time visiting Madame Capezio back then!), it was truly a vibrant and exciting time for dance! This was the year of Marius Petipa - one of the most influential figures in ballet - and his iconic Don Quixote. Ah, to see his creations come to lifeā¦ I am utterly obsessed with ballet. Who wouldn't be? It is such an elegant artform, and tutus are just a small but important part of that elegant charm.
Speaking of tutus, dear readers, I hope youāre already planning your next #TutuTuesday ensemble! You can wear it at home, in the park, at your local bakery... you just have to choose a beautiful pink tulle tutu and make the world a little bit more fabulous with its sweet and fluffy delight! My dream is to make every day a #TutuTuesday!
I shall keep searching for more history and more fabulous ways to style my ever-expanding tutu collection, but until next week, remember - a bit of tulle always adds a dash of magic! Keep dancing!
Your forever tutu enthusiast, Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
