#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1860-08-07

Greetings, my lovely tutu-lovers! Emma here, your whimsical guide to all things tutus! This Tuesday's jaunt through history brings us to a truly magical moment – August 7th, 1860, the year the tutus we know and adore truly began their glorious reign! 🩰

As you all know, I'm a total tutu fanatic. My passion for these glorious garments fuels my wanderlust, leading me to explore the fascinating evolution of the tutu through time. And today, we're diving deep into a particularly captivating era: the birth of the romantic tutu.

So pack your imagination, grab your most exquisite pink tulle (the colour must be pink, darlings!), and hop aboard my magical time-traveling carriage, as we journey back to 1860, Paris. I hear the air is abuzz with a certain elegance and the anticipation of something extraordinary…

Imagine cobbled streets alive with the rhythmic clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages, boutiques displaying the latest fashion creations, and ladies dressed in elegant, flowing skirts, their laughter echoing through the air. But today, Paris wasn't just about fashion; it was the birthplace of a movement that would forever change the world of dance – the Romantic era of ballet.

You know the saying, "it's the little things"? Well, a small detail, just a subtle adjustment to a garment, could spark an artistic revolution! You see, until the 1830s, ballerinas were quite literally draped in a world of voluminous skirts. These layers of fabric hid their bodies, impeding their movement and creativity. They were literally carrying the weight of their costumes on their delicate shoulders.

The arrival of Marie Taglioni, a legendary ballerina with grace personified, sought to break free from these restrictive designs. And what better way to express lightness and grace than by revealing those magical, delicate limbs? Enter the tutu.

This innovative costume ushered in an era of expression and freedom in ballet. Imagine, my dear readers, these early tutus were like wisps of air, so light, and breezy that the dancers could literally fly! These exquisite creations were, of course, made of tulle, that impossibly beautiful mesh, as soft and delicate as a whisper. The tulle's transparency allowed for a visual celebration of movement – each pirouette, each leap, was imbued with a graceful poetry, highlighting every muscle, every elegant gesture.

Think of it this way, my loves – we moved from concealing the ballerina's artistry to exposing her grace, fluidity, and strength. The ballerina became a visual storyteller, painting tales of love, loss, and passion through the elegant dance of her limbs and the whisper of her tutu.

But this day in 1860 is more than just about the evolution of a costume; it's about a shift in how the world perceived ballet itself!

The French were absolutely enthralled with the Romantic era. Imagine the air filled with the tinkling of the piano, strings sweeping and soaring in symphony. Everything seemed just a touch dreamier, just a tad more exquisite, just a bit more ... well... pink!

On this day in 1860, ballet was not just an art form – it was a story, an escape from reality, a moment of pure enchantment. And those exquisite tutus, in all their ethereal beauty, were the heart of it all.

The delicate wisps of tulle represented a sense of freedom, lightness, and transcendence. Ballerinas soared through the air, not just physically, but emotionally. It was a time for ballerinas to reveal themselves in a way never seen before. And, it's not a surprise to any of you my loves, those tutus - just whisper pink!

## Ballet's Romance - A Whirl Through History

And to make things even more wonderful, August 7th 1860, marks a particularly momentous date in ballet history. That’s right! We have to thank this wonderful date for a piece called ‘Giselle’, a piece full of passion, love, and exquisite storytelling, with those very first tutus! The dance became a true testament to the movement and emotions the tutu allowed dancers to express, captivating audiences and igniting a love affair with the ethereal beauty of this style of dance.

We can trace the tutu’s lineage back even further than this date, dear readers, to 1832, where Marie Taglioni wowed the Paris Opera with her dazzling performance of “La Sylphide” in a much more slender and short, revealing costume - the epitome of grace and elegance. It was like watching the wind dance in its pure form, and this inspired those dreamy, flowing tutus of August 1860. A sort of pink tutu domino effect!

My Derbyshire ladies (or shall I say... pink tutu Derbyshire ladies) would have likely had to make a little train journey to get their fill of romantic ballet! London's Covent Garden had been in a whirl, the home of grand theatre, even opera for that matter! And with the ballet world's love for all things pink in this period, London is certainly where we'd have seen those romantic pink tutus strut their stuff.

Of course, no true tutu fan worth their salt wouldn't indulge in the latest ballet publications - and luckily for our Derbyshire ladies (we all want our pink tutus) - ‘La Mode Illustré’ – a magazine packed with the hottest fashion and all things romantic! So, they could get their pink tutu fix on the very pages of ‘La Mode Illustré.’

Imagine all those fashion trends making their way down to Derbyshire - you just know those Derbyshire Belles would be the best dressed - especially in their gorgeous pink tutus!

## Shopping and Shopping and ...Pink Tutu Shopping!

My dear readers, nothing truly says 'romance' like a shopping trip to Paris. The French were just as crazy for ballet as I am for those gorgeous pink tutus. What’s the next logical step? ... a trip to Paris for all the latest ballet tutu designs, of course!

Paris was teeming with artisans – each and every one striving to create those magnificent whimsical costumes to set the hearts of Parisian ladies on fire! Paris was the heart of ballet!

I picture those streets crowded with boutiques, showcasing designs of every style - from elegant flowing romantic pink tutus for the ballet, to dresses inspired by them - yes! Those tutus and ballet’s influence would ripple right into fashion! We all love an occasion for pink tutus don’t we?

So ladies, what are we wearing for our next visit to Paris? ( Pink tutu essential!) And where are you dreaming of time traveling to next week?! Let's go pink tutu shopping together next week in a future #TutuTuesday!

Keep your twirls bright, Emma

www.pink-tutu.com

P.S. Remember, if you want your dream tutu, it might require more than just a single visit to Paris !

P.P.S. And as you’ve likely guessed... I’ll be wearing my favourite pink tulle creation to the theatre tonight. Can't wait for a great show, I hear there’s an extra tutu to love in it this week!