#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1872-09-03

Welcome back to Pink Tutu, my darlings! It’s me, your resident tutu enthusiast, Emma, and today we're travelling back in time to a most enchanting date, 3rd September 1872, to uncover some sartorial secrets hidden within the history of the tutu. I hope you’re sitting comfortably, darling, because this trip is going to be absolutely positively divine.

Oh my goodness, this train carriage is simply exquisite! It's all plush velvet and polished wood, and the windows let in the most beautiful sunlight. I’ve got my little pink notebook at the ready, because you know, research is always better when it's fashionably organised.

This date, 3rd September 1872, is extra special because…drumroll… The Royal Ballet (or well, it’s called something different back then - more on that later!) gave a grand performance in the city of London, starring a magnificent ballerina, Madame Marie Taglioni, who practically invented the Romantic tutu. Fancy that! Just thinking about it gets my toes tapping, and let's be honest, a good toe tap is always good for the soul.

So, you're probably wondering - what was the world of ballet like back then? It wasn't a complete ballet extravaganza, darlings, but it was definitely beginning to take shape. The tutu was still evolving! Think longer skirts, but with a distinct flair for drama, especially compared to the rigid, restrictive fashions of the time.

Imagine this: you’re strolling through the cobblestone streets of London, admiring the ornate shops and gentlemen in their top hats. Then, you hear the grand music of the orchestra from the Opera House, and the entire air crackles with anticipation for the ballet! Imagine those fabulous satin shoes (still quite stiff in this era, but I believe the elegance more than makes up for it) dancing their way across the stage under the glimmer of gaslights. Divine. It would simply make your heart flutter, I tell you.

And now, we're going to see the fashion behind this flutter. Buckle up!

The ballet wasn't just a stage spectacle back then; it was an integral part of Parisian and London high society. It's why I’m currently touring Europe by train - you’ll never get to see fashion and history at a gallop quite like you can from the railway, and oh my, what a magnificent ride it is!

And this, my darlings, is why even beyond the theatre stage, fashion trends started taking inspiration from those ballerinas and their gorgeous gowns and tutus. We’re seeing swirling skirts, a lighter touch with the fabrics, and lots of ribbons and layers, and my goodness, those fabrics – the most gorgeous silks and satins, a true explosion of elegance! I bet it's quite fashionable for young women to mimic the dancing of the ballet, if only just to sway their skirts in the elegant manner! Oh, I dream of taking dancing lessons and waltzing my way through these grand houses - I must convince them that waltzing needs tutus!

We see, dear readers, the beginning of a true love affair between ballet and fashion! Can you believe the tutu went from a garment created for performance to influencing women’s fashion trends all over Europe? Such a magical journey, truly, a ballet for the eyes, if you will!

Where were we? Ah, right! Marie Taglioni. My absolute icon, this one is. It is said she made her debut as a ballerina at the tender age of sixteen, my word, the life she has lived! She was a real pioneer, you know. Her famous ballet La Sylphide is said to be an important milestone in ballet history, especially when it comes to the design and evolution of the tutu. Imagine it, darlings, La Sylphide. Can't you practically hear the graceful steps of those lovely silhouettes, as if a feather were floating across the stage? It is positively divine.

Madame Taglioni really set the standard for Romantic tutus with La Sylphide, it was simply magical, a real leap forward in ballet history and an iconic ballet to be admired! And her contribution to the fashion of the time? Oh, absolutely, it influenced fashion from Paris to London and all those beautiful places in-between! It even influenced fashion outside Europe! You see, my darlings, ballet is a truly global fashion language!

We know the Romantic tutu had a lighter touch compared to the previous costumes, but this movement was so much more than a mere fashion statement. It was a dance of passion, emotions, a rebellion against the stricter Victorian sensibilities. Imagine, a world opening up, the beauty of nature unfurling, the stories being told - so many layers to explore. I cannot wait for La Sylphide to be made available to us again, a truly delightful and whimsical treat for all.

Just think of the Romantic tutus and what they represented: lighter, billowing fabrics, a nod to nature and a break from the more elaborate, heavy styles of the past, all representing the freedom of the spirit and a desire for self-expression. This desire, this urge to express ourselves - it's a passion we have in common! Can you imagine those billowing fabrics, swirling across the stage in all their elegance and beauty, dancing their story as beautifully as can be? A perfect example of freedom and the expression of art in movement!

It’s a new era! It’s the beginning of a time that allows a tutu’s story to unfold! Here are some ideas for those of you wishing to dabble into some #TutuTuesday fashion tips :

• * Embrace the swirl:* We're embracing movement! Choose flowing fabrics. Remember: It's about fluidity! The silk dress with the tutu underneath, my darlings! A must have!
• Think beyond the theatre: It's not just about performance. Ballet inspires daily fashion choices. Go for light, airy skirts that flow, like a cloud. A must-have in your wardrobe this year - so you look utterly elegant everywhere!

So, my dears, the stage is set for the modern ballerina - just as it was then, and with these #TutuTuesday Fashion Tips, it will forever be, with every flutter and sway of our wonderful tutus!

Next week, we travel further down the time line of tutu fashion history. Join me, and let's dance together in time! You can always catch me on www.pink-tutu.com , where my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog awaits you every Tuesday. Oh, and let's all agree to share the love for the tutu by posting about the magic and joy of this iconic piece of ballet history. We need more pink in the world, I tell you. And with that, my darlings, until next Tuesday!

Yours in pink,

Emma