Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, and today is, as always, #TutuTuesday! As a bit of a tutu aficionado (don't worry, I won't ever get tired of saying it!) I'm obsessed with the history of this lovely little piece of fabric and how it's evolved over the years. And you know, the late 19th century was truly a revolutionary era for the tutu, my lovelies.
This week, we're taking a delightful trip back to the 23rd of April, 1878, just imagine - gaslight flickering on cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages jostling by, and the crisp scent of spring in the air. But in the glittering world of ballet, things were just as exciting. And guess what, darling? We have a new kind of tutu on our hands - The Romantic Tutu!
(This is blog post number 2417 in my *Ballet Tutu History blog, you can check them all out over on www.pink-tutu.com. I upload a new post every Tuesday! Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss a thing! )*
You know, even a century and a half later, the Romantic Tutu still makes my heart skip a beat! Think floaty, ethereal layers of tulle, soft as a summer cloud. Imagine wisps of it dancing in the air as ballerinas spin and leap! Oh, just heavenly, don't you think? This tutu gave a whole new meaning to "dancing on air"! Think "La Sylphide" and "Giselle", those iconic ballets from the 1830s, were totally pushing the boundaries with this revolutionary design. No more of those restrictive, floor-length skirts, darling! It was all about showcasing the movement and grace of the female form.
But the best part, my dears? It wasn't just about the looks. This romantic tutu actually helped dancers, too! It allowed for freer, more flowing movements, making it much easier to jump and twirl. Imagine, being able to express your artistry through your every move! It really was a triumph in ballet history.
This time period saw the rise of some incredible dancers, who practically became synonymous with the Romantic Tutu: Marie Taglioni, who was like a feather dancing on the wind, and Fanny Cerrito, who just radiated effortless elegance! They were trailblazers, pushing boundaries and revolutionizing the art of ballet.
You see, my darlings, even back then, ballet was just as popular as it is today. I even saw the delightful "La Fille mal gardée" at the Paris Opera House a couple of weeks ago! Such adorable costumes! I adore the colourful, vibrant energy of that piece - I just have to incorporate some of that bright energy into my next pink tutu creation! Oh, I just love finding inspiration in the most unlikely places, don't you?
And afterward, I of course went shopping in the grand boulevards. Do you know, they just had the most divine collection of ribbons and lace at "Le Bon Marché?" Oh, I simply must go back again tomorrow. It seems like everyone in Paris is rocking this new Romantic style! The ladies have caught on to how flattering those ruffles and frills look on our feminine curves! And the men are swooning, let me tell you!
Oh, I must confess, dear readers! I love me some travel! There's nothing quite like boarding a steam engine, letting the world rush past, and knowing that I'm about to experience another exciting adventure! I do get quite a few quizzical glances from my fellow passengers in my pink tutu. They simply do not understand that it is not always the destination, darling, it is the journey! But that's the great thing about travel, isn't it? You get to experience the world from a new perspective, broaden your horizons, and maybe even, *dare I say it, inspire some fashion trends! **
Next Tuesday? We're diving right into the era of the tutu’s iconic transformation from fluffy romance to dramatic precision! It's going to be a grand journey through time! So make sure you come back next week. Until then, keep your tutus twirling, and remember - every day is a good day to embrace the beauty of a pink tutu!
Keep dancing, darlings! Emma XOXO
