Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another fabulous #TutuTuesday journey through the fascinating history of our beloved tutus! Today, I'm taking you all on a grand adventure, hopping aboard the Orient Express (though they hadn't quite named it that yet!) and whisking us back to August 25th, 1863! Imagine: swirling gowns, horse-drawn carriages, and the very first rumblings of the tutu's evolution.
Now, picture me, Emma, your fashionable friend from Derbyshire, in my shimmering pink tutu (naturally!), with my trusty journal and a suitcase overflowing with the latest Parisian trends. We're heading straight for the heart of the ballet world: Paris!
Let's face it, darlings, 1863 was a time when fashion was all about volume. Those stunning, full-skirted gowns? Think billowing layers and crinolines! Now, ballet costumes, believe it or not, were influenced by those extravagant styles. The tutu wasn't the short, wispy confection we adore today. It was more of a mini-ballgown, layered with stiff, tulle, a sort of dainty Victorian extravagance.
But there was change afoot! Just like how our style choices change with the seasons, so did the ballet. Dancers were becoming more agile, leaping and spinning with greater ease, needing more movement. Think about a graceful bird taking flight, its feathers gliding effortlessly. Ballet needed to embody that, a more ethereal quality!
That’s why on this very day, August 25th, 1863, I'm at the Palais Garnier Opera House, gazing in awe at the dancers! The star of the evening is none other than Marie Taglioni! Oh my, how graceful and stunning she is! You know she's not just moving her feet, she's floating, soaring! Imagine: she’s wearing a brand new type of tutu! A slimmer design, fitted to her body, almost like a shimmering whisper. The change is remarkable! This is what we now consider a 'Romantic' tutu - elegant and graceful, like the very soul of movement.
I bet, you can almost imagine the gasps from the audience, as if time had paused. A hush falls, and then...a burst of applause! A true standing ovation! Even if tutus didn't look like our modern ones, the impact they create? That's been an unwavering thread in ballet history. The joy of movement!
Of course, a little bit of gossip is always in order, darlings! (Think "The Ballet Weekly," my favourite read!). They say that the famed Mademoiselle Taglioni designed her tutu with a revolutionary new material: cotton! It's a whisper against her skin! Now, we are getting closer to the tutus we know and love, though it wouldn't be until the late 19th century that these creations became truly lightweight! A revolution for ballet!
And just a tiny, exciting detail, did you know this particular day, August 25th, 1863? It's actually the date when Paris' most fashionable stores, such as Le Bon Marché, started accepting customers from the ‘fashionable working woman.’ That’s right, women started having more influence over their wardrobes, no more simply waiting to be adorned. Talk about progress, my dears! And wouldn’t you know, there was talk of even designing more flexible garments for women – perfect for waltzing! And yes, of course, we'll be dancing around that topic later this week!
Let's travel through the time portal back to the present, where our passion for dance remains. Isn't it amazing how fashion influences our passions, just as we influence it? And don't forget, darlings, keep those pink tutus spinning! They're a symbol of grace, joy, and elegance - a constant reminder of the beauty we find in ballet and the glorious world of fashion! Join me next week for another magical #TutuTuesday journey through history, but in the meantime, embrace the dance, twirl around your house, and remember - always, always wear your tutus with confidence!
Your Pink Tutu Loving Friend,
Emma
