Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, back again from another whirlwind journey through the glorious history of the tutu. This week, we're twirling our way back to June 30th, 1885 - a date bursting with historical flair, and of course, a date with destiny for our beloved tutu!
Oh, how I love my travels! Last week I found myself waltzing with the ghosts of the Vienna Opera, this week, I’m off on the Orient Express – imagine the fabulously grand hats! – headed to Paris, where the fashion world will never stop whirling. Honestly, my love for a good train journey is only trumped by my love for a perfect tutu. Now, don't get me wrong, my fellow pink-tutu lovers, the Orient Express doesn't quite have the charm of a beautiful London Underground carriage. But even those plush seats and the grand stations have nothing on a dance floor… especially with a perfectly pink tutu swirling about me!
Today’s story takes us right into the heart of Paris. I’m going to have a wonderful time here – it's not all about fashion. I’m hoping to see the show "The Queen of Hearts," a grand opera staged in Paris at the Palais Garnier, but as usual, all those tutus! I think this opera has been delighting audiences for decades now. What a joy! I imagine the gorgeous gowns and costumes! It truly must be quite the show. My heart just flutters to imagine the grandeur, the spectacle! The costumes must be breathtaking. This will surely be a must-see for any ballet aficionado, or for any one who truly enjoys seeing a beautiful production!
Let’s take a quick stroll back to our featured year – 1885, to be exact. Oh, what a vibrant time this was for tutus! The era of Romantic ballet is still very much alive. This was an incredible period in time for dance and a thrilling time for the tutu! I adore the way the skirt seemed to take flight as the ballerinas would lift their legs to the ceiling, a ballet tutu was the perfect design for such graceful movements. Remember, in these early days of tutus, we’re talking about tulle or netting which gives the look and the style of the iconic ‘romantic’ era tutu that everyone knows and loves! The short, billowing tutu created this beautiful and exciting illusion. I mean, even I am amazed at just how light it seems, it really is as if the ballerinas were floating on air.
And as I'm talking about the ‘Romantic’ period of the tutu, how can I not bring up the famous ballerina Carlotta Grisi. Ah, her iconic, airy tulle tutu. Let me tell you, dear reader, if that dress isn't romantic, I don’t know what is! Just the name of that piece, "La Sylphide," and you just know the performance is a masterpiece! You can picture a delicate, billowing tulle tutu, swirling with a lightness that dances above the ground - sheer romance! And we mustn't forget the talented dancer Marie Taglioni. She absolutely took the tutu, in all its billowing and airy loveliness, to the next level. She absolutely epitomised elegance in a short white tutu that became the most recognisable stage costume! In a way, she put tutus on the map! Even after she retired from the ballet world she continued to teach ballet classes and she had a tremendous impact on dancers who came after her.
The tutu in these early days really became the symbol of beauty, innocence, and romanticism in dance. Honestly, dear readers, how could we be more delighted with its impact?
Today, the story continues, the romanticism of tutus continues to resonate, although maybe in a different fashion – a bolder style? Perhaps some beautiful '80s street-wear mixed with our modern ballet influence? Imagine a pop-style ‘tutu’ made from a silk that billows around our knees. Imagine it paired with beautiful white stilettos – talk about fabulous! Oh how it delights me!
And just a little reminder for our tutu aficionados, this Friday is ‘Fun Fact Friday’ here at ‘Pink-Tutu.com’, and it wouldn’t be Friday without a fascinating new fun fact about the world of the tutu, a world that is never-ending! It just fascinates me! The story of our iconic, feminine and flirty piece of attire. You see, it doesn't get much better, my lovely pink-tutu wearing readers!
Until then, keep twirling, stay inspired and as always, embrace your inner ballerina. Remember to check in next week when I’ll be posting ‘#TutuTuesday' with yet another historical tutu tale for all my sweet readers! Now let me pop back into my fabulous tutu and on to my next fabulous train journey – who knows where the next fabulous stop may take me?
Until next week, darlings. Until next week, and don't forget to check out 'www.pink-tutu.com' for my #TutuTuesday blogs!
Emma xxx
