Post #2546
Bonjour, my darling ballet bunnies! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutus, sparkles, and, of course, ballet history!
It's Tuesday, which means it's time for #TutuTuesday, where we journey through time to discover the fascinating story behind our favourite frothy, feathered, and oh-so-feminine dancewear!
Today, I've packed my suitcase with my favourite pink tulle tutu, my most charming travelling hat, and my trusty copy of "The Ballet Handbook" (which is practically my bible) for a trip back to 12th October 1880, a very special day in the tutu's history.
1880 - The Birth of Ballet as We Know It!
The year 1880 marked a pivotal moment in the world of ballet. Remember those exquisite, airy tutus you see in all those glorious productions of "Swan Lake" and "Giselle"? Well, that enchanting design was just beginning to take its final form in the hearts and minds of Parisian audiences and choreographers.
Remember the long, layered skirts the dancers used to wear? Think romanticism with a bit of a heavy foot. They were lovely but somewhat clunky, you see. Not exactly ideal for leaping and twirling across the stage.
It was then that Marie Taglioni, the ultimate ballet beauty (she was the fashion icon of her time) – took a big leap forward, literally and figuratively! She commissioned a shorter skirt to showcase her divine jumps and twirls with more freedom, giving birth to the graceful tutu we adore today.
London's Dance Fever
Imagine the buzz around the Royal Opera House! Every society lady and gentleman was all agog to witness the wonders of ballet, thanks to Marie's innovative costume. They even had special dance performances in theatres across London - how exciting! It seems, everyone was getting their twirl on in 1880.
Paris: A City of Ballerinas and Chic!
Of course, the most coveted ballet events were held in the most glamorous city on the planet: Paris. The French were always a little more daring with their fashions. It's where we started seeing tutus crafted from tulle (yes, that beautiful, gauzy material), and decorated with feathers, beads and flowers. You can just picture the sparkling beauty, can’t you?
But wait, there's more!
While we associate ballet with grace and femininity, things weren’t quite as idyllic for all the ballet dancers. Many of them lived quite difficult lives, travelling around, training intensely and performing under gruelling conditions.
Our Ballet Roots
Even though it seems so far away, their dedication is something we can really connect with, isn't it? They laid the foundations for the ballet world we know and love today, a world full of beauty, elegance and a bit of a fairytale, if you will.
The tutu: it wasn’t always about pink (though pink will always be my absolute favourite!). Tutus in the 1880s could have been white, or even black, if they weren't too fussy about color. What was important was their form and how they enhanced the dancer's every move.
Tutu Time!
Now, it wouldn't be a proper #TutuTuesday without a little inspiration from my fabulous Tutu Wardrobe.
My current pick: a baby pink tulle tutu with shimmering silver stars. Just like those early ballerinas, we love how tutus capture our own personality and express it in such a delightful way, making us feel a little bit magical. And that's the magic of the tutu, ladies.
It empowers us to dream, twirl, and unleash the ballerina inside of us all!
Time to Sparkle!
Next week, we'll travel forward a few decades. You can be sure there will be plenty of vintage fashion delights and tutus of the most magnificent variety. So join me at www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday. We'll be diving deep into ballet's captivating history - and perhaps, we'll be finding ways to bring a touch of ballerina glamour into your everyday life.
Until next time, may your days be filled with sparkle, laughter, and endless twirls.
Your Dancing Duchess,
Emma
P.S: Let me know your thoughts on today's post in the comments below, my dearest ballet bunnies! Do you love pink as much as I do? Have you ever thought about joining a ballet class? Tell me everything!
P.P.S: I just finished the most gorgeous ballet performance by the London Ballet company. You must try to get tickets if you have a chance. We have to keep our dance-loving souls nourished, you see.
