#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1887-03-15

Hello my darling tutus! Welcome to another Tuesday and another installment of my Ballet Tutu History blog. It's a glorious day in Paris and the city is buzzing with a spring in its step – literally, with the elegant and delicate steps of ballerinas gliding across the stage. I’m Emma, and my mission is to share the incredible story of the tutu, its history and how it has captured our hearts and graced the stage for centuries! Today’s date is extra special as we step into a new era in ballet! Let's whisk ourselves back in time and see what happened on 1887-03-15 – because believe me, it's a very important day!

Right now, we're strolling through the cobblestone streets of Paris – a city buzzing with fashion, elegance and joie de vivre. We can almost smell the perfume mingling with the scent of fresh pastries in a cafe, and the clinking of champagne glasses as artists and socialites alike mingle and marvel at the latest fashions. Today, Paris is the beating heart of fashion and the world watches on in awe, ready to embrace whatever trends are coming from this Parisian gem. We're at the very forefront of the ballet revolution, witnessing history being made in real time!

### A Tutu For Every Occasion

In this age of grace and extravagance, the tutu isn't just a costume; it's a symbol of female strength and beauty. In a world of restrictive corsets and heavy skirts, the tutu embodies freedom and grace. From the Romantic tutus of the past, now swirling around the ankles of every ballerina, to the short, bouncy and perfectly pleated designs favoured in ballets like Swan Lake, every variation on the tutu is like a breath of fresh air for dancers and audiences alike. It is, after all, the very embodiment of airy grace and beautiful movements – an essential ingredient to conveying every emotion through graceful pirouettes and sweeping leaps.

My fellow tutus, today is a pivotal day in tutu history – for the first time ever, the ballerina Camille Saint-Saëns appears on stage wearing a completely different type of tutu: the tutu, designed specifically for the ballet La Esmeralda. Yes, you heard me right! Gone is the bulky, Romantic tutu! The designers have created a shorter tutu, perfectly balanced between form and function, providing incredible ease and freedom of movement. This new design highlights the graceful and feminine lines of a ballerina, allowing them to fly and soar through the air with a natural and effortless grace, captivating the audience. It's a breathtaking evolution for a truly magical garment. It is an evolution we will see blossom in all types of ballets over the next few decades. We are, once again, entering a brand new era, and my friends, this is where things really start to get interesting!

My dear readers, why the name “Pink Tutu?” Well, since my arrival here in this gorgeous Parisian city, the colour pink is simply everywhere. It’s the color of Parisian fashion. From my pretty new ballerina shoes with their rose-hued ribbons to the soft pink frills decorating the bonnets of Parisian ladies, everything here has an adorable shade of pink! And you all know what is a truly magical combination – ballet and pink, and who knows – perhaps I will inspire others to start wearing pink tutus and add an extra touch of playful charm to their days. After all, who wouldn’t want a dash of sparkle and a bit of twirling magic in their everyday life?

I’ll leave you with a lovely thought for the day: every tutu tells a story, my loves. And with a twist here and a whirl there, the magic continues. This tutu journey is only just beginning! I'm eagerly waiting to see what’s around the corner and the new tutus we will soon discover on stage in this next wonderful chapter! Until then, keep twirling and keep smiling. Happy Tuesday my fellow tutus, and remember: "Pink isn’t just a color, it’s an attitude!”

With Love,

Emma

Emma's blog is full of fabulous insights on the ballet history of tutus. Don’t miss the rest of her blog here!

www.pink-tutu.com

Make sure to come back next Tuesday for another TutuTuesday adventure! Emma can’t wait to see you!