Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, here, bringing you another delightful dive into the history of our beloved tutus! As a proud Derbyshire girl with a penchant for all things pink and frilly, I've travelled the globe in my quest to find out all there is to know about tutus! 🌎 This week, we're stepping back in time to the 28th of May, 1861 - and it's quite a day!
Before we get into the history, let's talk fashion, shall we? I'm sporting a glorious pale pink tutu today, it's one I bought at a delightful Parisian shop just yesterday - the craftsmanship is exquisite! And with its lovely flowing layers, it truly gives the illusion of flight! It's simply divine! 🌸 This colour is so versatile; it pairs beautifully with everything from soft ivory to bold crimson. And don't even get me started on how lovely it looks under the stage lights! ✨
Speaking of stage lights, have you ever wondered why a certain type of skirt, the tutu - a word so charming in its French simplicity, became synonymous with ballet? It's quite the story! Let me share some insights into this extraordinary journey!
The Birth of the Tutu
Back in 1861, things were quite different in the world of ballet. You see, the 'Romantic era' of ballet was just beginning. That means long, flowing, often-dramatic skirts were the norm.
Imagine, my dear readers, dancers swirling around in voluminous dresses that seemed to reach the floor, with heavy embellishments. Romantic and grand, yes, but certainly not conducive to jumps and leaps!
Then along came the innovative designer, Marie Taglioni! 🚲 (Yes, the first professional female ballet dancer to travel the world by train!) She introduced a much shorter skirt! Shorter! Could you imagine the scandal?! 🤯 But it proved revolutionary! With less fabric hindering movement, ballerinas were able to move with incredible agility. Imagine the jumps, the leaps, the incredible spins! It was the dawn of a new era of ballet - an era of athleticism and grace! 🤸
It wasn't long before dancers began using silk to make their tutus. Silk - what a dream! Not only is it incredibly light and airy, but it looks like a silken dream under the stage lights. It's no surprise, really, that this incredible fabric became the go-to choice for ballerinas everywhere! 🤩
And guess what? By the mid 1800s, the 'tutu' was truly gaining momentum! The short and bouncy tutus became all the rage. They represented freedom and lightness, and the incredible feats of the dancers became ever more dazzling! Imagine! A swirling mass of silk, colour and pure energy! What's not to love?! 🌈
1861: A Year of Ballerina Glamour
Now let's dive into the date itself - the 28th of May, 1861. I travelled to Vienna last week and learned some very exciting things! On this very day, the Vienna State Opera hosted a grand gala performance featuring none other than the French ballet company! You can bet I was there, soaking up all the action! The stage was awash in colour, and the energy in the theatre was truly electrifying!
But this wasn't the only big event on the ballet calendar! It's said that 1861 saw the rise of several talented dancers, including a beautiful French ballerina named Rosalie Dambrun. Her name has been whispered with admiration in dance circles ever since, you know. 🤩
A Look at Today's Tutu
So there you have it, my darlings! Another exciting journey through ballet history! Now, how did I fund my time-traveling spree for this lovely trip? A lovely ballerina never reveals her secrets, my dear! Let's just say, there's always a chance for a delightful performance here or there... 🩰
Let's wrap up with a quick look at modern tutus, shall we? Nowadays, the tutu remains as versatile as ever! You have your classic tutus with the perfectly structured and layered skirt, and the Romantic tutu, which has a softer, more flowing form. You even have those wonderful, extravagant tutus! Think giant bows and glittering details that truly take your breath away! And don't forget those whimsical ones - those with feathers and embellishments! Absolutely heavenly, I say! 💕
Final Thoughts:
So as always, I say this to all of you lovely readers: Put on your favourite tutu - pink, if you're lucky! 🤪 - grab your dancing shoes, and celebrate the incredible world of ballet. And never forget, even the most elegant and sophisticated art forms began somewhere simple, somewhere full of innovative spirits like Marie Taglioni!
Until next week, remember to embrace the magic of tutus! It's an amazing, fun, inspiring, whimsical, colourful, and frankly delightful journey, you know. And it's definitely worth sharing! 💖
Yours in Pink Tutus, Emma! ✨
P.S: You can follow me on www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for the newest #TutuTuesday post! And you can use my unique hashtag: #PinkTutuForever! 💖
I'll see you next week, darlings! And until then, happy dancing! 💃
