Hello my darlings! Welcome back to #TutuTuesday! Today we're going to travel back in time to a day filled with dazzling tulle and the grace of world-class ballet. Grab a cup of your favourite Earl Grey and join me on a fabulous journey to the 8th of April 1986.
Oh, darling, you just wouldn't believe how thrilled I am to be here in New York City for this trip. Honestly, I feel like a little ballerina lost in a dream! There are shops filled with every type of tutus imaginable and so many people who are completely in love with dance. You wouldn't believe the shops here. Oh darling! Just wait till you see what I picked up!
(Here she would post a photo of her wearing the tulle fabric skirt)
Of course, no trip to the Big Apple is complete without catching a world-class ballet performance. Tonight I'm off to see Giselle at the New York City Ballet. You know how much I love seeing classic ballets performed live. And, speaking of classics, let's dive into today's tutu history lesson.
The Romantic Era & Tulle's Grand Entrance:
Okay, darlings, we need to set the stage a bit, because without a touch of historical context, our tulle tale just wouldn't be as captivating. Think about 19th century Romanticism: a period of intense emotion, expression, and artistic revolution. It was all about breaking free from the strict rules of the old world and embracing passion, drama, and yes, even the ethereal. And guess what? It was this period that completely transformed the way we see tutus today.
Remember all those puffy, full skirts we love so much? Well, it all began with Marie Taglioni, the first ballerina to revolutionise dance in the mid-1800s. Before Taglioni, the dancers wore fitted gowns and restrictive bodices. It wasn't until she debuted in La Sylphide, wearing a white dress that seemed to float in the air, that audiences were mesmerized. It was an astonishing moment in history. They couldn't believe the lightness and delicacy of her movements!
But, darling, the key ingredient in achieving this heavenly look was none other than tulle. You see, tulle wasn't just a piece of fabric, it was a revolution! Its airy, see-through nature allowed for an unparalleled fluidity and allowed dancers to create those iconic pas de bourees and effortless leaps.
You can imagine the gasp that ran through the audience when they saw Taglioni pirouette across the stage!
Now, if we rewind the clock to our little time travel escapade on the 8th of April, 1986, we wouldn't necessarily be looking at that exact type of tulle. Things have evolved, of course! There are a myriad of weaves and textures, all offering a spectrum of visual appeal, from sheer to substantial. But even in 1986, the beauty of tulle remained the same, a testament to the enduring power of delicate fabric and beautiful, athletic grace.
Speaking of beauty, imagine, my darlings, a graceful dancer swirling and leaping across the stage in a soft tulle skirt. What an inspiration! If there's one thing I love more than wearing tutus, it's watching ballerinas dance. Honestly, I could spend all day at the ballet! And what about the sheer volume of tulle in those majestic productions?! There are acres of it used!
That's one of the things that makes ballet so magical - the way it captures the essence of beauty and transforms us, bringing magic into our lives.
Now, back to this magnificent day in history... on this April 8th in 1986, did I mention I picked up some of the most fabulous shoes to wear to see the Giselle performance? I am quite excited about this performance. And then there will be shops and maybe I'll be lucky and see a Broadway Show. Broadway is amazing, darling! Don't you just love Broadway Shows?
I can already feel the buzz and energy of the city; it's as if New York City itself was choreographing a whirlwind of activity for me. I love it. And, darling, when I arrive back home in Derbyshire I’ll tell you all about it, maybe I’ll even try a Broadway routine at ballet class next week. I am going to have the most fantastic week!
That's all for this #TutuTuesday, darlings. Be sure to join me again next week, as I’ll be travelling even further back in time. Now, I’d best be off to that amazing ballet, see you next Tuesday!
Much Love,
Emma
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