#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1885-07-28

Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another exciting journey into the history of the tutu, my absolute favourite garment!

Today, I'm stepping into the magical world of 1885, a time when the tutu was evolving into something truly magnificent. Imagine, if you will, a Paris ballroom. The air is filled with laughter, the clinking of champagne glasses, and the swirl of elegant gowns. This is the setting, dear readers, for our grand exploration of tutu history!

This year is pivotal because, ladies, the romantic era was coming to an end, paving the way for the dazzling new "Romantic" tutu!

Think airy, whimsical, and just a touch scandalous – these were the elements that truly took the tutu to new heights. While the traditional "bell-shaped" skirt was still the norm, it started to become shorter and more structured, revealing more leg and allowing for more impressive movement.

Remember how I spoke about travelling by train in my last post? It was revolutionary! So exciting, and made it much easier for the ballerinas to travel around the country! And it meant that even more people had the pleasure of seeing the wonderful ballerinas twirling their skirts across the stage!

Now, speaking of revolutionary, 1885 was also the year that the iconic La Bayadère by Marius Petipa premiered! This was one of the first ballets to feature the "Romantic" tutu. The beauty of the white fabric, so perfectly draped and with a little, just a tiny hint of tulle peeking out... Oh, I could swoon all day over this look. Imagine this beautiful white tutu set against a dazzling, glamorous backdrop with shimmering jewels. Absolutely heavenly, isn’t it?

You must imagine, however, that my pink tutu would have stood out a bit! You know me!

So, what else was happening in the ballet world in 1885? The beloved Marie Taglioni was already a legend, gracefully stepping down from her glittering career, leaving a legacy of pure, beautiful dancing. But a new wave of stars was about to dazzle the world with their own graceful artistry! Anna Pavlova was just a child, but soon she'd blossom into a true ballerina icon.

Think of all the fabulous dresses and jewellery that a dancer would have needed, not to mention all those stunning, exquisite tutus! In 1885, imagine me strolling along the grand Parisian boulevards in my own bright pink tutu. Can you picture me? You can probably also picture me heading to one of the beautiful shops, picking up the most amazing fabric! Or maybe just wandering through the flower markets in the city... all while wearing my gorgeous tutu. Ah, wouldn’t it be incredible to just slip back in time for a few hours!

I think a quick side trip would just make my Tuesday! I love history, I love Paris, and, of course, I love tutus! Oh, the lovely Parisian gowns, the shimmering fabrics, the lace, the flowers...and all those spectacular hats! A beautiful sight, isn’t it? Imagine! A street overflowing with these wonderful Parisian designs! But remember darlings, always add a pop of pink. After all, it is the colour of love, the colour of happiness and the colour of the future. And what is life without a touch of glamour?

Right now, as I sit here at my desk, wearing my favourite tutu, the 1885 ballerina and I are united through the amazing story of the tutu! It’s all thanks to these wonderful and influential women in ballet, for their graceful art that inspires every tutu fan out there – from then till now and until the end of time, it seems! It’s a magical journey, and I love sharing this journey with you every week, darlings.

So, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, if you've been following along, you know my mantra: "A little pink tutu can change the world." And, with that, let's take our love for tutus to the next level. Why not get into the Pink-Tutu mood, and join me by stepping into your favourite tutu this week and spread a little love with every twirl.

Until next Tuesday, keep your pink twirling high, my darlings!

P.S. Did I mention that there was an opera house in 1885 called the Grand Opera? How magnificent is that name? It sounds like a ballet, doesn't it? Maybe it's a good thing I love to travel by train! Perhaps I'll have to head back to that Parisian boulevard and take in a show in the grand theatre one of these days, I wonder who will be on stage!

With love and sparkle,

Emma.