#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1883-05-29

Hello my gorgeous twirling darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here! 👋 I’m back again for another glorious #TutuTuesday and, as you know, that means it’s time to delve into the wondrous history of ballet’s most iconic garment – the tutu! 🩰

Today, we’re going to travel back to the 29th of May, 1883 – and, boy oh boy, do we have some fantastic ballet fashion news!

Just last week, I whizzed over to Paris on a magical, steam-powered train (what an adventure, darlings!) for a glimpse of the most magnificent new ballet production at the Opéra Garnier. 💃 It’s such an absolutely dazzling space – imagine marble statues and glistening chandeliers! 😍 And the ballet? Well, it was utterly sensational!

This is the very place, remember, that tutu history took a magnificent turn – remember the glorious Romantic era in ballet with its emphasis on flowing, lightweight tutus? 💖

As you might expect, the fashion is simply divine here. All the lovely Parisian ladies are embracing the belle époque - elegant dresses with sweeping lines, intricate lace and, of course, those divine, full-skirted gowns for evening wear. Oh, darling! I had to try on a gorgeous gown at a quaint little boutique called ‘Le Bon Marché’ – think intricate floral designs with a delicate ribbon sash! 🎀

But let’s not forget the true star of the show: The tutu! The ballerina in the performance wore a tutu with layered tiers of tulle, – a stunningly elaborate creation! The whole design was just chef’s kiss, darlings! 😍 They are a sight to behold, those layered skirts that seem to float like clouds! ☁️ It’s like they were created to catch the moonlight, don’t you think?

This all came about thanks to a little thing called The Romantic Period in ballet – a revolution in both movement and fashion. In the 1830s, these beautiful ‘Romantic tutus’, which were so incredibly long and flowing, replaced those strict, flat-skirted ‘tutus à la grecque’. 💫 The result? An explosion of graceful movements and airy elegance! Think flowing lines, light-as-a-feather movements and lots and lots of pointe work! 💕 Honestly, I can hardly keep my feet on the ground after witnessing a performance with the Romantic era in mind!

And since those early days, darling, the tutu has truly blossomed into a symbol of pure femininity and ethereal grace. Imagine, these exquisite garments that allow dancers to soar, spin and create a veritable dance of life – just like a ballerina! 🩰✨

As you know, my darling dears, I spend a lot of time bouncing around through history! And it’s so fascinating to witness the tutu’s transformation across the decades! It’s always such a joy to be able to attend those historical performances in glamorous, historic venues – the Royal Opera House in London, the Bolshoi in Moscow or, of course, the Opera Garnier! 🎶

Back in my own time, it’s thrilling to be a part of the modern day renaissance of the tutu! We’re seeing new variations everywhere, darling - think vibrant colors, asymmetrical designs, and playful, whimsical styles! It’s simply wonderful, I tell you! 🙌

You know me – my biggest aim in life is to spread the joy of ballet and get everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu! 💕

Remember, darlings, you don’t need to be a professional ballerina to feel the joy of twirling in a beautiful, swishy tutu! 😊 The joy of dressing up, embracing your inner ballerina and embracing creativity – that’s what this #TutuTuesday is all about.

So, head out there, darlings! Explore those vintage shops, dust off those forgotten ballet outfits, or whip up a sparkly homemade tutu of your own! Remember to share your fun pictures with me using #TutuTuesday! 🤩

Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com – my little slice of ballet heaven, bursting with information, stories and lots of amazing photos to inspire your inner ballerina! 🩰

Until next time, keep twirling, keep shining and spread that tutu love! ✨ 💖

All my love, Emma

PS Don’t forget to check out next week’s #TutuTuesday where we will be exploring the tutu’s appearance in the wonderful world of film! You won’t want to miss it! 🎬