Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus are always in vogue! Today, on this gloriously sunny #TutuTuesday, we're stepping back in time to the 28th of July, 1868, and trust me, you'll want to hold onto your bonnets!
As a time-travelling tutu enthusiast, I find myself bouncing between eras, flitting through the ages like a delicate, pink-hued butterfly. And my journey today has brought me to the heart of Paris, a city bursting with fashion and artistry. The air is thick with the scent of eau de cologne and the bustling chatter of elegant Parisians.
This, my dear friends, is the dawn of the modern tutu. We are in the middle of the second half of the 19th century, and ballet, you see, is about to go through a rather exciting metamorphosis.
Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine the opulent theatres, gilded and glittering, and in the center, under the sparkling chandeliers, graceful ballerinas are poised on pointe, their skirts a shimmering symphony of silk and tulle. These are the beginnings of what we know today as the 'Romantic tutu' - a creation designed to emphasize the lightness and ethereal grace of the dancers.
It's an evolution, my dears, an elegant refinement from the voluminous, impractical layers of earlier tutus, the ones that might make even the strongest dancer stumble. The Romantic tutu, with its layered and shorter skirt, is all about flow and fluidity, a beautiful vision of weightlessness on stage. It allows for intricate turns, high leaps and delicate landings - pure artistic enchantment!
You might be thinking, "Emma, this is exciting, but how does this 1868 date relate to all this?" Well, dear reader, you see, July 28th, 1868, is not a randomly chosen date! It marks the performance of La Source, a ballet that truly cemented this new, streamlined look.
Now, you may wonder what a "source" could possibly be, right? It's not a water feature, I can assure you! La Source is a ballet with music by the celebrated Delibes, and its captivating storyline, full of exotic beauty, divine nymphs, and mischievous creatures of the wood, takes us on an enchanting journey through a mythical world.
And its choreography, performed by the dazzling Mademoiselle Marie Taglioni, gave the Romantic tutu its true showcase. Every pirouette, every jeté, every leap, captured the hearts of the audience, their hearts captivated not just by the dancing, but also by the flowing lines and light, airy presence of this revolutionary new tutu.
Now, dear friends, it’s time for us to dive into the world of Parisian fashion. You know, one of my favourite things about time-travelling is experiencing the fashion! While the 1860s were already showing signs of moving away from the exaggerated hoop skirts, you’d find lots of full-flowing skirts made from lightweight fabrics - all incredibly flattering on the feminine silhouette. It’s not surprising that the same trend reflected itself in the world of ballet.
One cannot talk about 1868 Paris without mentioning the iconic ‘Little Women’ fashion that took the world by storm. These beautifully delicate outfits are almost exactly what I would wear! Imagine long-sleeved blouses, frilly and romantic, worn with crisp cotton petticoats for a delicate, flowing silhouette. This look echoed the romanticism of the La Source tutus, reminding us that the lines between daily wear and performance were getting increasingly blurred, blurring even the line between ballet and fashion, you could say!
As for accessories, Paris was teeming with delicate jewellery and delicate lace, making every Parisian lady look like a fairy! Imagine intricate corsages adorned with delicate flowers and feathers, adding to the overall aura of grace and elegance. I adore seeing this combination of fashion trends and I must admit, I might have taken a few subtle style pointers from these graceful ladies for my own #TutuTuesday outfit!
However, let's return to our ballet story. After La Source, the Romantic tutu became an instant sensation! Ballet companies around the world quickly adapted its airy and ethereal design, leading to even greater expressive movements. It made the dance less rigid and far more captivating for the audience.
Isn't it fascinating, my loves, how a simple garment can revolutionize a whole art form? Today, we continue to be inspired by the graceful beauty of the Romantic tutu. Though fashion moves forward with each generation, some styles, like tutus, have an inherent timelessness.
Of course, this being #TutuTuesday, you know what comes next! We can’t just talk about tutus; we must celebrate them! So, put on your favourite tutu - I always have mine in a softest pink, perfect for celebrating history! Then take some lovely ballet photographs to share with your friends on social media with the hashtag #TutuTuesday, and show off your beautiful fashion sense while making the world a pinker place, one tutu at a time!
Until next Tuesday, darlings! Remember, every day is an opportunity to spread a little bit of ballet magic!
