Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday, and this week we're diving deep into the history of tutus, my favourite garment of all time!
This week's historical journey whisks us to a rather special date, 1865-12-26, where things were a-fluttering and twirling with exciting happenings in the world of ballet, fashion, and, yes, you guessed it – PINK!
Before I whisk you away to this fabulous date, let me introduce myself for those of you who are just discovering the wonders of Pink Tutu! I'm Emma, a young woman from Derbyshire, with a passion for ballet, a penchant for all things pink, and an insatiable curiosity for history. My aim is to share the magical world of tutus with everyone - spreading the pink tulle love one tutu at a time. Now, hold on tight! It’s time for our historical dance adventure.
Tutus – The Ballet World’s Greatest Dress
In 1865, ballet was experiencing a beautiful rebirth! Choreographers like Marius Petipa were crafting the graceful, romantic ballets we know and love today. What could possibly be more fitting than a tutu? For a moment, let's think back to earlier forms of tutus. In the 1830s, Marie Taglioni’s famed performance in La Sylphide revolutionized ballet fashion, giving birth to the romantic tutu. These early tutus were a dramatic change from the voluminous, floor-length skirts that were common earlier, showing off the legs and highlighting the dancers’ airy and elegant movements.
The Pink Princess’s Christmas Gift: A Tutu Tale of Royalty
Now, let's dive into our 1865-12-26 story, which, you'll find, is absolutely overflowing with fairytale elements! Remember to put on your rose-tinted glasses for this one – because it's the epitome of a whimsical, dreamy tutu moment.
The date itself was the twenty-sixth of December - a most lovely day in a world celebrating Christmas! This day also marked a momentous occasion - Princess Marie, daughter of Tsar Alexander II, was celebrating her seventh birthday. As a beautiful birthday gift, she received the gift that, without doubt, ignited her fascination with the beautiful art of ballet, one that no little girl could resist! Her gift? An exquisitely hand-crafted, delicate, pink tutu – adorned with sequins that gleamed like stardust! Imagine her tiny self twirling in its fluffy glory, her laughter echoing like bells!
A Birthday Bonanza and The Ballet World's Transformation
Princess Marie, brimming with glee, performed a graceful, sweetly graceful, birthday pirouette! What began as a whimsical, princess-perfect moment transformed into something much, much bigger. Marie, fueled by the tutu's magic, became an avid ballerina enthusiast. With the charm and power of royalty behind her, her infatuation became the inspiration for countless children to explore the world of dance. This, of course, propelled the popularity of ballet and the glorious, magical tutus that went hand-in-hand with this stunning dance form. This is, of course, a testament to the enduring power of the tutu itself and how a beautiful little princess on her seventh birthday forever influenced the entire world of dance!
Tutustastic Travel Tips from a Tutu-loving Time Traveler
In this blog, I use my trusty time machine, cleverly powered by a generous endowment from the ballet, (don’t ask how I manage it all – just go with the flow! ;)) Every time travel mission is fueled by my performances, with shows at the prestigious London Coliseum and other beautiful theaters! It’s such a fantastic way to earn my keep! Of course, there’s always the added bonus of having the latest in fabulous ballet tutus sent back through the ages to fill my wardrobe! My journey from Derbyshire through London to St Petersburg in Tsarist Russia would take a mere 40 hours – so convenient with the luxurious and quick London to St. Petersburg express train journey of that time!
So let’s all make sure we get to see the famous St. Petersburg Imperial Theatre as that’s where the little Princess’s gift came from – they knew that nothing was ever going to be quite as amazing as an exceptionally beautiful and delicate, hand-crafted, pink tutu!
Keep it Twirling and Tutus-ific!
Well, darlings, I must away to another Tutu Time-warp, so stay tuned next week! There’s plenty more historical wonders in the pink world of tutus to uncover and celebrate.
And remember, in the grand scheme of things – there’s always room to add a little extra twinkle to life. So get your dancing shoes ready – we’ll see you next #TutuTuesday. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must away to purchase a few more tutus – after all, they are just as important in the present as they are in the past!
See you next Tuesday!
P.S. Be sure to keep sharing your tutu inspirations! Use #TutuTuesday on social media and we may feature you here on www.pink-tutu.com!
EmmaPink Tutu Blogger – Where Past Meets Present with a Flourish
Blog # 1774
