Bonjour mes chéries!
It's Emma here, your ever-so-slightly-obsessed ballerina blogger from Derbyshire, back with another Tutu Tuesday post! This week, we're travelling back in time to 1870! Can you imagine, my darlings, a time when the tutu was just beginning to take shape as the elegant dancewear we know and love today?
(Takes a big twirl in a bubblegum pink tutu, accidentally knocking over a stack of vintage ballet books in the process)
Oops! My apologies, dear readers. I seem to be a little overexcited today, as I'm positively giddy with the prospect of exploring the fascinating evolution of the tutu. You see, 1870 was a rather pivotal year for our dear dancewear, a time when revolutionary innovations were shaping the future of the tutu and, dare I say, revolutionizing dance aesthetics in the process.
**(Straightens her vintage straw boater hat, which she bought at a delightfully vintage Parisian shop last week)
The year 1870 marked a pivotal shift away from the bulky, long and flowing Romantic era tutus that swept across stages like ethereal clouds. Instead, dancers began embracing the *newly invented, shorter, layered, and often stiffened *tutu a la Pagnol. *
**(Adjusts the tulle layers of her pink tutu with a dainty smile)
The iconic tutus designed by Carlo Pagnol, an esteemed costume maker of the time, revolutionized the stage and became instantly popular. Imagine, darling, how utterly feminine and delicate these new creations must have looked, floating with ethereal grace on stage, catching the stage lights just so! Imagine the thrill!
(Gathers her friends and fellow tutu lovers, Clara, Jane, and Sophie, around for a pre-tea-time gossip session. A handsome gent, John, joins the group, excitedly showing off photos of recent London stage performances, a bit like our modern-day "insta-stories!")
Speaking of revolutionary, my dears! Remember those long skirts of the Romantic era tutus, those flowing jupons so heavy they could practically rival the weight of a full ballroom gown? Well, imagine our shock when our beloved Marie Taglioni, a true pioneer in ballet and all things elegant, dared to experiment with a tutu that dared to bare!
And guess what? This was a resounding success - imagine, ladies, the sheer joy of finally having our legs fully visible on stage! We could see each elegant flick and arabesque, the full grandeur of our grace! It was a total triumph!
Now, I wouldn't dare miss out on the fabulous world of the stage. My dearest Clara, ever the fashionable darling, has secured tickets to see the sensational La Sylphide! Imagine the drama, the music, and, of course, the tutus! Just you wait, darlings, I shall be bringing you the most fascinating gossip about the costume design, the performers' dazzling elegance, and everything that goes on behind the velvet curtain.
Let's go to the shops, ladies! This afternoon we have an exquisitely exciting new arrival in our favorite Parisian shop - I hear they have a shipment of new tutus arriving! Who knows, maybe the designs are inspired by the Pagnol era. You know I can't possibly miss out, it's almost like my tutu duty to be there!
(Takes a big sip from her dainty pink porcelain teacup and prepares to depart on her adventure)
Until next time, my dears, remember, there is no such thing as too many tutus and, dare I say, you never, ever, never have to wear a white tutu! I, for one, much prefer the charm of pink!
Remember, ladies, I always say...
The more the merrier!
Your very own Derbyshire ballerina,
Emma
P.S. Have you seen the latest trends on Ballet street? Let's talk all about fashionable ballets and tutu inspiration in my next post! See you then, darlings!
