Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com! Today marks another glorious #TutuTuesday, and I'm positively bouncing with excitement to whisk you away on a time-travelling adventure, all in the name of the most beautiful garment ever invented: the tutu!
Now, you all know how much I adore a good ballet show, and that includes travelling to witness the greatest performances in history. This week, my train took me to Paris, the very heart of the ballet world! Oh, the elegance, the grace, the sheer beauty of it all! I just can't get enough!
Today, on 11th June, 1867, the whole world was watching a rather important event here in Paris - the opening of the Exposition Universelle, a global showcase of scientific and industrial advancements. Imagine a giant, dazzling exhibition showcasing all the latest and greatest innovations from around the world!
However, while everyone was oohing and aahing over steam engines and telescopes, my eyes were drawn to the world of fashion. This Exposition wasn't just about inventions - it was also a showcase of the very latest in clothes and style, and darling, let me tell you, it was positively breathtaking!
But what does all this have to do with tutus, you ask? Well, let's take a little journey back in time to uncover how the tutu became the fashion icon it is today.
A Tutu for Every Occasion:
Before the 1860s, the tutu we know and love today was still a fairly recent invention. It was in 1839 that Marie Taglioni, a revolutionary ballerina, dared to wear a much shorter skirt, a design that was initially met with quite a lot of shock and horror. However, her daring choice liberated ballerinas from the bulky, heavy, and restricting skirts of the past. It opened up a whole new world of freedom and movement for the art form, paving the way for the elaborate and flowing tutus we see on stage today!
But, fast forward to the 1860s and things started getting even more exciting! By now, the tutu was taking on different forms. There was the Romantic tutu with its flowing tiers of tulle, which became synonymous with the Romantic ballet period, epitomizing ethereal beauty. This is the one we would likely associate with a ballet, or something we'd envision our favourite ballerinas in.
However, in this period, the Classical tutu, or The Bell-shaped Tutu, was just starting to emerge! Think shorter, more structured skirts, emphasizing the ballerina's beautiful legs and athletic form, much like the one I'm wearing now, darling! (Remember, if you love tutus as much as I do, then follow my example, embrace pink, and join the #TutuTuesday revolution!).
So, this was a time when the world of dance was experimenting with new and exciting ways to showcase the female form through clothing. We were seeing a lot of variety - romantic tulle, graceful skirts, and now this new trend toward a shorter, more structured design, giving ballet an even stronger sense of theatricality.
Tutuland: A World of Imagination
My oh my, don't you just love how the tutu can transform us into graceful, ethereal creatures? And imagine, this magical garment is gaining momentum in the 1860s, its popularity reaching far and wide. Even Queen Victoria herself was enamoured by this trend and is believed to have seen and loved numerous ballet productions. Now that's a sign of true fashion royalty!
This period was the beginning of what we might call 'Tutuland', a world of feminine, playful, and exquisitely beautiful fashion where tutus, adorned in ribbons and delicate embroidery, took the centre stage. Imagine ladies strolling down Parisian streets, perhaps sporting a pink-toned tutu with an elegantly matched lace shawl, making it appropriate for daily wear - a dream, wouldn't you say?!
This is what makes ballet so exciting to me - the captivating combination of artistry, athleticism, and style, a perfect mix of grace and elegance that transforms the stage into a dreamland.
From Paris to Derbyshire:
My train journey back home to Derbyshire, though rather long, has given me much time to reflect upon the importance of these Parisian discoveries. This glimpse into the evolution of the tutu fills me with endless inspiration. Every day feels like a ballet performance, a story waiting to be told.
So, until next #TutuTuesday, darlings, let's all embrace the feminine, embrace the creative, and wear our pink tutus with pride! If you happen to be in Paris, or are thinking of taking a train trip to see the world and discover your own love of all things tutu, remember to take pictures, have fun, and enjoy the wonders of the ballet world! And always remember - there's a pink tutu for everyone, you just need to find the one that matches your personality and lets your inner ballerina shine through!
Until then, stay fashionable, keep twirling, and remember - the magic of tutus never ends!
Your pink-tutu-loving blogger,
Emma xx
