Hello my lovely pink tutu loving followers!
It's Emma here, your favourite time-travelling ballerina blogger, bringing you another dose of tutu history in today's #TutuTuesday. We are officially at blog post number 2446. As always, this week I am absolutely delighted to be waltzing through time again and bringing you some exciting new discoveries about the delightful evolution of the tutu, those magical, fluffy masterpieces!
Oh, I've been travelling on the train. I absolutely love those wonderful trains. They're just so stylish and elegant. And the journeys themselves, watching the countryside go by. It’s so romantic, like a beautiful dream! The countryside can look like a whole scene out of a ballet. I even saw a pair of swans on the river near Warwick! I was heading to London where I had the most exquisite time! I had a glorious lunch at the Ritz with an extraordinary view of Piccadilly. Then I had the time of my life in a dazzling West End show - The Pirates of Penzance - absolutely gorgeous!
Now, if we're travelling in the 12th November of 1878, this means we are, once again, at a fabulous, historical moment in tutu history! This year is just bursting with amazing dance milestones and fashion, darling! Let me tell you about it...
The Victorian era was really blooming with the tutu. In 1878, we see an exquisite movement to simplify. It's like everyone's gone, "Time to embrace that streamlined look!". Imagine, like a beautiful white rose with just enough petals to capture the light.
Instead of the heavy, ruffled Romantic tutus that we had back in the mid 19th century, which made ballerinas look like giant, puffed up sugar plum fairies (not in a bad way!), the shorter tutu style began to reign. The tutus were still layered, but more concise - like an elegant statement, my lovelies. Imagine a beautiful, fluffy meringue with a whisper of softness, yet it’s still light enough for that graceful jump!
That year was a year for grace and simplicity. But in my own, utterly biased, and fashion-obsessed opinion - it was the 1870s where everything came together. The time when a tutu finally became the perfect vehicle to show off those graceful leg movements and twirls, darling! Think delicate, graceful wisps of tulle and perfectly poised legs...divine! I mean, come on, who doesn't want to see beautiful, perfectly toned, and very long, legs in motion - it’s practically hypnotic.
Oh, speaking of dance moves! In 1878 we were being blessed by the beautiful technique of Louis Meurant ( oh darling, his footwork, heavenly! It’s such a beautiful language, his steps!). He actually choreographed La Fille Mal Gardée in London, darling, and what a triumph. You could practically hear the gasp as the ballerinas first emerged in their stunning costumes and tutus! He was certainly quite a talent...his work with Marie Taglioni was something else!
He even worked with a woman called the "Greatest Ballerina of Her Time!" Oh, what a thrill to see a show like that! Her grace was simply magical, with moves that would make you want to grab your dancing shoes and take to the floor. Marie Taglioni was the woman's name - oh my heavens, my lovelies. Imagine...I'm getting a little faint just thinking about it! This stunning woman is a living legend. She even performed in Paris! Can you imagine that - the excitement, the style, the magic!
And to give you a taste of those London ballerinas I've been swooning over, there's the adorable Italian, Carlotta Patti. Now, she's not quite a ballerina (no one is really like Marie Taglioni) but she was definitely a darling - absolutely lovely, even I admit! She performed in the most opulent theatres and the most magical theatres, always with those lovely white tutus. She had those elegant, swan-like arms...it's utterly hypnotic!
Well, my darlings, I’m afraid that is all for today. Until next week, stay twirling and stylish - remember, everyone can wear a pink tutu!
Your eternally hopeful pink tutu lover,
Emma
#PinkTutu