Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your #TutuTuesday hostess, and welcome to my little corner of the internet where all things ballet are celebrated. It's a chilly November day here in Derbyshire but let's get those creative juices flowing and warm up with a little trip back in time!
Ooh la la! Paris is for lovers, and ballet tutus!
This week, our time machine takes us to the elegant and stylish streets of Paris, 1877. Just imagine! Think cobbled streets, grand cafes, and the whisper of silks and satins swirling around the beautiful ladies as they stroll. I’ve even bought a stunning silk fan just for this occasion, it matches my latest tutu – the “Chérie Rose”!
Now, before we delve into the fascinating history of the tutu, let’s take a look at the date itself. The 13th November 1877. What happened? Well, on this very day, the brilliant ballerina Anna Pavlova, who would become a true legend of dance, was born! We're talking about a powerhouse talent, whose grace and skill are forever imprinted on the world of ballet. I always adore seeing the iconic "Dying Swan" ballet!
But darling, our theme this week is tutus. I mean, what would ballet be without the magnificent tutu? It's an iconic garment! So, back to 1877…
Where were we in the tutu timeline?
1877, just think, we were just entering a time where ballerinas like Marie Taglioni were beginning to truly wow audiences with their graceful movements, their lightness on stage, thanks to those amazing shorter tutus that were becoming so fashionable! Can you picture it, those first "tutus"? What they did for the movement, how they brought such elegance to ballet! It was an evolution of fashion, of the design, of how movement could be interpreted – revolutionary, I say!
The Romantic Era – The era of the "tutu" - But not like the one we see today
It was truly the golden era of tutus and we can see why they became such an iconic part of ballet fashion! We all love a great story, don’t we? Think, Marie Taglioni, 1832, The Sylph in "La Sylphide" wearing a very specific tutu! A sheer white tulle, delicate and flowing. And why was this “La Sylphide” ballet a game changer for the "tutu?" It showcased this short layered tutu that became symbolic of the movement of the Romantic Era in Ballet. It brought femininity and freedom, movement and agility!
The shape? Picture it: The layered frills were more of a cone shape, not a rigid, full-bodied tutu. Think ethereal, airy, a cloud, an elegant whisper. You can see the inspiration! That beautiful flow…
It’s all about the romance of ballet, and I can't help but imagine myself whirling across a Parisian stage in my "Chérie Rose" tutu. Now wouldn't that be something? Daydreams for a moment, blushing a bit, I have to admit. Sigh... Back to the blog post darling!
A Tutu for Every Occasion: Finding Your Perfect Style
Remember ladies, when choosing your perfect tutu, we should be looking for something flattering. The way it moves, the flow... As we’ve already discussed, there’s more than one "tutu"! They come in all shapes and sizes!
In fact, we're still evolving that "tutu" design in this current day and age – and in 1877! That beautiful "short tutu" - was becoming a true fashion symbol and it started popping up all over the place. Can you believe that even everyday wear was inspired by the "tutu"? That short "tutu" style was making a huge impact and ladies were eager to look their very best with it in some "day-wear" outfits !
*Think elegance in all its glory! * The “short tutu,” and how it impacted style! And of course, it was an absolutely essential part of ballet!
*Now, my lovely readers! I must leave you on this *perfectly romantic note…sings the melody of the swan, a little softly but clearly. ...and don't forget to stop by next #TutuTuesday for more fascinating journeys through ballet history. Don't forget to head on over to pink-tutu.com to browse my fabulous collection of pink tutus, because if you’re a true ballet lover, it's tutu -ally time to find your perfect tutu!
Until next week!**
Your Pink Tutu-loving Blogger,
Emma
