#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2006-08-15

Bonjour, mes chéries! It's your favourite Derbyshire lass, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday blog post, fresh from a whirlwind time travel trip to Paris! Oh la la! What a city! So much history, so much fashion, and... wait for it... so many tutus!

Today we're diving into the whirlwind (pun intended!) of ballet history! I'm sitting here in my little pink dressing room, surrounded by frilly tulle and the aroma of vintage perfume. It's a magical place, and I can almost hear the pitter-patter of tiny, delicate steps from centuries past...

You see, ladies, tutus are more than just a garment. They are a symbol, a story, a flaming manifestation of dreams, beauty, and grace.

But where did these iconic little skirts begin their story, you ask? Well, buckle up, dear reader, and let's embark on a journey through the magical land of ballet and its wonderful tutu timeline!

(And before we begin, whispers... a new pink tulle design has arrived at my online boutique, and it's... *gorgeous! You HAVE to check it out, darling.) *

Our adventure begins in the late 17th and 18th centuries with ballet's beginnings! Back then, imagine a swirl of fancy costumes with elaborate layers and voluminous fabrics, nothing like our sleek, modern dancewear! Ladies of the court would perform in stiff, hoop-skirted ensembles that barely allowed for any actual dancing.

(Honestly, darling, it was all about showing off those incredible hoops!)

Now, fast forward to the romantic era - 1830s and onwards. Here, we witness the start of something truly revolutionary... the tutu's ancestor! These were shorter, looser skirts made of layered cotton fabric. It was the dawn of graceful steps, faster tempos, and finally... room to dance! Imagine the thrill of that!

Now, our dear Maria Taglioni! Remember her, the dancing legend from the 1840s? She was a trendsetter in every way, and she ushered in the first, true "tutu." It was a shorter, tighter design - what we know as a "Romantic Tutu." And, it was made of whisper-thin silk. Imagine!

This was it, my darling! A ground-breaking* moment for female dancers. It meant *freedom of movement and finally a skirt designed for every twirl and leap. Can you *imagine how wonderful that must have felt? It was liberation through tulle, a moment that changed the world for ballerinas forever.

I, personally, have been known to spend a good five minutes twirling around my dressing room, thinking of the historical ballerina who first spun that way in this magic little garment!

Now, let's travel back in time a little bit - because today, August 15th 2006, we're back in the city of lights itself, Paris, where the ballet really began its story. The Opéra de Paris was home to some of the most influential dancers, composers and ballet masters in the world. Isn't it just dreamy, darlings!

Imagine dancing in the same studio as Marie Camargo, Mademoiselle Guimard, and even Marie Taglioni herself! It must have been an incredible sight. I think of how it must have felt - the swish of the tutus, the thump of dancing shoes against the wooden floorboards, and the *electric atmosphere of such iconic ballets being born!

It's like the *world has spun a beautiful dance across the history of this garment - so *incredibly powerful and elegant!

So you can imagine my excitement to finally travel here today! This trip is so magical!

On a personal note, the Paris Opéra Garnier was simply stunning - like stepping right out of a beautiful, timeless dream. I couldn't help but think of the endless stories it has seen - ballerinas twirling on that same stage in the same, beloved tutus.

I took in the grandeur of it all...the rich décor, the plush velvet seating, the dazzling chandeliers - every single detail a ballet-themed wonder! It made my heart swirl! *

As a huge ballet buff myself, darlings, you can imagine how overjoyed I was when I took in The Sleeping Beauty, a beautiful performance that made my heart burst with wonder! It was a treat! Seeing the story come to life, the beautiful costumes, the iconic pink tutu designs, the dancing - everything made for such a magical experience. It was almost as beautiful as seeing the Parisian sunsets, *almost!

I have been busy touring some of the grand Parisian boutiques as well - such fabulous pieces, truly breathtaking. Imagine hand-stitched tutus and silks shimmering with gold thread! There are even delicate little butterfly* motifs sewn onto the tulle. Sigh! I bought a few *luxurious silk ribbons for my next dressmaking project!

You might not believe it, ladies, but this new adventure inspired my latest pink tutu design - Parisienne - a new pink tutu that channels all the romance, elegance and history of this exquisite city! You won't believe how gorgeous the Parisian tulle is!

Oh, to dance the night away on a Parisian stage! I wish you could all experience it!

My adventures, dear readers, have led me to explore beyond ballet history today! It's no secret how Parisian chic has dominated fashion trends over the centuries! I took a break from my tour and stopped for tea and croissants (heavenly!) at the *iconic Cafe de Flore - truly a taste of French romance and tradition at its finest!

I think we all have a little bit of French flair in our souls! And to continue that dreamy mood, we must dress to impress! After all, darling, everything is an opportunity to embrace your inner Parisian and create some magical memories! I even treated myself to a lovely scarf, inspired by my travels. It has all the colors of the vibrant Parisian sunset, with tiny pink flowers delicately sewn throughout. It will look simply amazing with my favourite tutu - my new Parisian, of course.

*(You might see a *new TutuTuesday post about how to wear scarves with a tutu… but shhhh it's a secret! ) **

It was a journey full of inspiration! The tutus are back, darlings, in all their magnificence! And they are ready to grace your own dancing moments - from the comfort of your own living room, to the grand stages of the world, I know you’ll all find yours.

*(But *pssst! if you are going to Paris any time soon, visit the Opéra Garnier! And when you do, wear a pink tutu! ) **

Until next Tuesday, ladies!

(And, don't forget, Pink Tutu has a fabulous collection of *pink tutus available online right now!* Happy #TutuTuesday!)

**Yours truly,

Emma

xx

P.S: Check out my online shop at www.pink-tutu.com! There's something for everyone... from the beginner to the ballet pro. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter, and to follow me on social media.

Let's make tutu happen!