Hello my darling darlings, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu! I hope this finds you all twirling with joy in a world bursting with pinks and pretty frills! This week's Tutu Tuesday is a bit of a historical adventure - I'm stepping into the time machine and taking you back to 1887, to witness the glorious dawn of a ballet fashion icon.
The Grand Unveiling
Imagine, my lovelies, the excitement, the anticipation, the gasp of sheer delight when the world first saw the revolutionary, iconic tutu as we know it! Oh, the dream!
It's 4th January, 1887 and I'm in Paris, the hub of style and elegance! You know me, always drawn to a grand debut! Today, in this beautiful, historical moment, the Russian ballerina, Pierina Legnani, graced the stage in the premiere of Marius Petipa’s ballet “The Sleeping Beauty”. She wasn’t just twirling with graceful beauty; she was wearing the newest trend in ballet – the tutu as we know it today!
This wasn't your grandma’s fluffy, flouncy tutu - this one was short, bouncy, and oh-so-lovely! It was a revelation - imagine, a glimpse of leg for the audience to adore! Such elegance! Such style! Gone were the days of the knee-length, weighty tutus that hampered movement. This was liberation for the dancer - freedom to fly and twirl! And fly she did!
A Tutu Fit For A Princess
You see, the genius of the “Sleeping Beauty” tutu is its incredible lightness, allowing for unparalleled movement and captivating grace. And let's be honest, it just looked absolutely sensational, an ethereal spectacle of exquisite silk and intricate embellishments, radiating a shimmering elegance and sophistication. A real princess tutu!
This new style went down a storm - the audience were wowed! The media buzzed, everyone wanted to be a part of this enchanting trend. It was the start of the “Short Tutu Era,” a new golden age of ballet that saw the tutu as we know it, becoming a mainstay in dance history. And here I am, 100-odd years later, carrying the torch of that wonderful, captivating history!
Time Traveling In Style
As you know, my #PinkTutuHistory journey involves some seriously fashionable time travel – a true ballerina's dream! Travelling by train always provides such inspiration. You can spot all sorts of beautiful fashions from different eras – a time capsule in motion, if you will. I often think, “oh to have lived in this fashion moment,” or “oh to wear those delightful, whimsical dresses from this era.” I often use my ballet performances to fund my time travels. It's a tough but glamorous job - and all those stunning tutus on stage are pure inspiration!
Pink Tutu - Forever and Always!
Oh, but do remember – whatever era we travel to, let's never forget the pink! You know I’m a champion for pink, a tireless evangelist, and the tutus in 1887 made me seriously proud of the shade! This gorgeous new fashion for ballet – even then, pink held a significant place in the hearts of stylish Parisian audiences. I believe that tutus are for everyone! But, let’s face it, it just looks so much better in pink.
Let's have a tutu celebration in the comment section. Tell me what your favourite ballet performance is and why.
And until next Tutu Tuesday, my lovelies, keep your spirits high, your moves graceful, and your pink tutus even higher! I'm off to scout for my next time travel adventure - a Victorian Tutu party perhaps? Perhaps even a fashion show. Or a carriage ride with my favorite Earl.
Ciao Bella!
Emma
Pink-Tutu.com
