Post number: 2331
Bonjour mes chéries! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, reporting live from the utterly fabulous Paris! It's a Tuesday, which means you know what that means... #TutuTuesday! I just landed here after a wonderful train journey from the lovely city of Dresden, where I caught the most gorgeous ballet show! The costumes were stunning, and I picked up some absolutely divine fabrics in the market afterwards. Of course, I found a little pink for a future Tutu Tuesday look!
But, let's talk about #TutuTuesday history!
You know how much I love diving into the past, especially when it comes to tutus. Today's date is August 29th, 1876, and believe it or not, things were quite different back then.
We are firmly in the Victorian era now, darlings, so imagine... a world where bustle skirts reigned supreme, corsetry was considered a necessity, and the "dances" of the time consisted of elaborate waltzes and quadrilles, a far cry from the incredible, energetic, gravity-defying artistry we know and adore!
But let's focus on the good news! In 1876, a fabulous ballerina named Fanny Elssler was absolutely rocking the world! Fanny is considered a revolutionary figure, as she incorporated movements with her legs and body that would influence later ballet generations, particularly the famed ballerina Marie Taglioni!
So while the world wasn't swirling in pink tulle just yet, the foundations for a very tutu-filled future were definitely being laid.
Oh, speaking of Marie Taglioni... Remember our little chat about her earlier this year? Well, this charming lady - considered a legend for her effortless movement - made history for another reason too, something that might have you swirling in delight...
1832 was the year that a little creation we call the "tutu" burst onto the scene. Now, imagine if it weren't for the talent and courage of those fabulous ballerinas of the 19th century to push the boundaries of what dance could be, and the tutu would never have emerged as the ultimate symbol of elegance, joy, and movement that we adore today.
In 1876, ballerinas were beginning to be known as professionals in their field. No longer merely an entertainment form of social status, but a genuine career. So if we look to our lovely Victorian ladies, their incredible hard work and determination paved the way for us all, including the dazzling, dreamy world of ballerinas today!
For today's #TutuTuesday I must share with you, my darling readers, something absolutely adorable!
Back in my Victorian time-travel journey, I discovered a little snippet about an upcoming performance happening on this exact date! It was "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare at The Crystal Palace, featuring music by Felix Mendelssohn! Now that is what I call a theatrical event worthy of a pink tutu. This production featured beautiful costumes that the critic remarked on how, "everything from hats to gowns was extremely elegant"! This, my lovelies, sounds like a spectacular! And a fine example of how the artistry of the ballet and theater intertwined at the time.
But what about our precious tulle? What is the situation in 1876 regarding the lovely ballet tutus? You might be surprised. In some parts of the world, you may see ballerinas in "tutus" made from layered, fluffy tulle that resembles something like a cake! However, those were more of a skirt-type, less flowy garment. They could also include layers of cotton underneath with more structure, reminiscent of a ballet costume you may be more familiar with.
Think of the delicate layers, and how a tutu helps us glide through the air! I am always a bit saddened, however, by the heavier tutus from the 1870s. But we cannot deny that tradition is a very important thing, and these creations laid the foundation for the lightweight beauties that graced our ballet stages today.
Today's tutu, my lovelies, would have made their heads spin back in the 1870s. A delicate piece of artistic engineering that allows the ballerina to twirl, jump, and move with the grace and flow of an angel! The tutu has come a long way, but it all began with those very Victorian ballerinas!
Remember:
- Tutus were still young! They were changing all the time.
- Every new creation, every new material, every new idea that dancers pushed forward, led us closer to the tutus we adore today.
- Embrace the changes and evolution, for that's what makes a tutu so magical.
For today's #TutuTuesday inspiration, my dears, imagine how Marie Taglioni would have felt in one of these delicate beauties. What do you think she would have worn? Do share your dreams and fantasies in the comments!
Until next #TutuTuesday, darling friends, may your steps be light, your dreams be big, and your days filled with twirls. And remember, in a world that can be pretty rough sometimes, embrace your inner pink tutu, embrace your joy, embrace your confidence! Love always,
Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com *
