Hey dears, Emma here, from Pink-Tutu.com, your weekly dose of tutu-licious history! Itās TutuTuesday, so grab your pink tutus, settle down, and prepare for a fabulous journey through the world of ballet. This week we're stepping back in time to the 27th March, 1860.
This week's #TutuTuesday takes me to Paris, the heart of fashion and the ballet world, for our historic time travel tour! As you know, my darling dears, I adore nothing more than a whirlwind train trip through the decades. Especially when it comes to investigating those adorable tutu designs of days gone by!
On this day in 1860, the world of ballet was abuzz! While the theatre lights shone on The Bolshoi Ballet in Russia and La Scala in Milan were enjoying successful runs, Paris was preparing for an event that would set the stage for future ballerinas - the premiere of " La Source. ā Now, this is a real gem of a ballet, dears! Choreographed by Arthur Saint-LĆ©on, with a truly dazzling Jules Perrot (his work on āGiselleā is legendary!). The whole thing is a magical spectacle of exoticism and passion and tells the tale of a beautiful Greek maiden who has been kidnapped to a fountain, where she's destined to dance for a wicked Sultan.
Naturally, I had to take in the performance before setting off on my own fashion journey through Paris. My dears, the costumes were simply magnificent. Long gone were the layers of frilled skirts from the early Romantic period. The ballerinas in "La Source" donned elegant tutus of white tulle, flowing and ethereal, showcasing the grace and fluidity of the female form. There was a clear focus on emphasizing the movement and artistry of the dancers, allowing them to move freely. And, just think of it, it set the scene for all the amazing tutu styles of today!
We have Carlotta Grisi to thank for this fashion change, dears! (I adore her , a truly magnificent dancer and trendsetter!) Her decision to discard the weight of past fashion trends for a lighter and more mobile costume marked a shift in ballet costume design. The graceful flow of these new designs opened a world of exciting possibilities for ballerinas to perform feats of strength and beauty! It's thanks to the vision of people like Carlotta and Jules that ballet reached these incredible heights of technical mastery.
Speaking of amazing dancers, dears, on this day in 1860, one of balletās biggest stars was taking center stage - the magnificent Marie Taglioni ! She was celebrating her birthday and enjoying a grand performance at La Scala, Milan! (Now, my darlings, I must share this - La Scala is one of the most opulent, luxurious theatres in the world! Think towering ceilings, glistening chandeliers, and velvet seating - it's truly dazzling!). Her impact on the ballet world was groundbreaking, pushing the boundaries of choreography and design. It is no wonder that even on her birthday, her talent was being celebrated in grand fashion!
As a ballerina on a mission to inspire, I love following the fascinating trajectory of the tutu, from those early frilled styles, all the way to the breathtaking creations that are so much a part of the balletic lexicon today. To see these costumes evolving from restrictive styles to designs that capture the dancersā grace and skill, and, most importantly, celebrating the elegance of the female form, is pure magic, my darlings.
Now, to ensure your wardrobe remains as fashion-forward as a prima ballerina on opening night, I've been diligently researching vintage shops across the Paris of 1860. (Of course, I found a fantastic milliner, an incredible bespoke hatmaker , for my next outfit... a blush pink fascinator! Oh my!). And let me tell you, fashion-conscious Parisians, back then, really knew how to add flair! You could see gorgeous layers of lace, pleated fabrics, a touch of embroidery, and plenty of tulle. These fabrics were carefully selected and styled with an exquisite elegance! I was just positively enchanted! The silk, satin and lace on display had me positively smitten! As an avid devotee of pink and all things ballet, you can only imagine my excitement. This is how they really styled themselves. And when it came to accentuating a ballet tutu, they just couldn't get enough of those exquisite flowers! Flowers of every shade, woven into hair, adorning garments, adding the final, feminine touches! The craftsmanship and sheer beauty of their clothes truly reflect the artistic energy of the times. It really takes you back, doesnāt it?
Oh dears! Do you see how much our modern tutu designs owe to those from 1860? If I wasn't such a fan of modern ballet, I might even wear a romantic, swirling frilled tutu myself... just imagine, a tutu of exquisite lace! Iām still mulling over a pale pink number that caught my eyeā¦ (Although, if we're talking the perfect pink, that has to be the hue of a blushing rose!) Now, when you're thinking of tutus, don't limit your ideas, darlings, to ballerinas and the stage! Tutus are the most joyful, feminine and freeing garments ā we can all find our perfect pink tutus, for whatever life throws our way. They express confidence, grace and creativity, and they are, most definitely, never, ever, out of style! Weāve already travelled back to Queen Victoriaās England, and I'm off to the USA next! So come join me on this incredible journey and discover the fascinating story of the tutu. You can check out the entire archive at Pink-Tutu.com. I post a new story every Tuesday for your reading pleasure. Subscribe and join me on this whimsical journey through the world of dance and fashion. And, remember, youāve got a pink tutu waiting for you. Go and find yours today! š©°
Emma xx
