Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where all things pink and tutu-tastic collide! It's your favourite Tutu Tuesday, and this week, I've taken a whirl through time to a rather special date - 29th April 2008!
This week's trip back in time has got me feeling all kinds of excited. You see, this was a rather big date in the world of tutus. In fact, it was the day the real story of the tutu took centre stage! Now, I know, I know, the ballet tutu, in all its voluminous glory, has always been a favourite of mine, and yours too, right? Well, I've got some extra-special details on its journey to the stage.
Hold on to your tutus, darlings, because it's time for a historical whirl through time!
A Day Like Any Other, or So It Seemed
Before I take you on my time travel journey, let me tell you a bit about the year 2008. It was a time of great change in the world of fashion, much like our own, my dear friends. We were just beginning to see a renewed love for femininity, and you know what I think that means? It means tutues are back! It's as if everyone finally woke up and remembered what they've been missing! I always say, whatâs more feminine, more elegant, more magical than a tutu?
Anyway, the 29th April, 2008, began like any other day. You had your cuppa, you read the papers (or perhaps a nice gossip magazine if you're like me), and you likely started getting ready for the day. Nothing particularly special - except for the world of fashion, and specifically, ballet, because something was brewing!
Now, if you're a fellow time traveler, or a devoted tutu-lover like me, then you know that the 29th of April is the date when Marie Taglioni - the woman who changed everything - was born! She may have not been the inventor of the tutu, but let me tell you, she elevated it!
From Whimsical to Graceful - The "Taglioni"The ballet tutu as we know it was born much earlier. You might think, "Well Emma, why would you want to dress up as a ballet dancer with layers and layers of tulle if Iâm not going to a fancy party?" Now darlings, before the invention of the tutu, ballerinas were wearing large dresses, sometimes they even included an additional layer of fabric! This was great for, well, being noticed, but not so good for movement!
Can you imagine? Trying to leap with all those yards of fabric in your way? That would be truly terrifying, wouldnât it? Thank heavens, Marie Taglioni and others helped ballet dancers change this!
A whole evolution in fashion happened in those years, the âTaglioni,â as the revolutionary new style tutu was named, had no less than 15 layers of tulle to make it fluffy. The original tutus in the 19th century were known for being âfull.â This new style was so short and lightweight that dancers like Taglioni could fly across the stage. Imagine! And if you are lucky enough to be in a ballet theatre right now, take a look - the Taglioni is what most dancers still wear. This iconic little bit of clothing inspired generations and generations of beautiful and breathtaking ballet movements!
My Tutu Tuesdays Have Made History!When you consider all this and add that a true ballet star was born on the 29th of April in the year 1804, then this makes April 29th a very special date indeed, right?
So, that's what made this date so special in the world of ballet fashion history! I thought you might like a bit of information for your next trivia night, darling!
I must say, my trips through time, have certainly helped to fuel my own tutu passion. Itâs been an exciting week so far, Iâm excited to tell you what adventures I had, how did my week start? What did I see in the shops? Well, darling, it was all about âLa Bohèmeâ!
You see, I happened to catch a train to London to check out this beautiful performance at Covent Garden and have a little afternoon shopping spree on Regent Street after that. Now, when you're on your own adventures, keep an eye out for any beautiful performance. Maybe your own Tutu Tuesdays will soon turn into history!
La Bohème-A Story Told With TutusYou see, a couple of my ballet classmates told me that a production of "La Bohème" had arrived at the London Coliseum last week. I think this production sounds incredible. As usual, they had been working very hard. So this trip was my chance to see what all the fuss was about, you could call it "ballet research", couldn't you?
Well, I tell you what, you must be prepared to wear lots and lots of pink! It wasn't just a typical story with the classic tutu, the ballet company (and let's just say I have never seen a "fuller" stage!), used different colored tutus to represent the characters as they transitioned from one "character" to another, but it was the most incredible performance I've ever seen!
I couldnât stop thinking, I need to show off this new pink skirt I saw! My friends know I love shopping for new outfits that remind me of beautiful ballets, but they thought I would like the costume for this one, you see, it reminded them of the performance, which reminded them of me!
If you love a pink tutu you are very much part of this âworldâ , darling.
Of course, I wouldnât go without checking out the costumes from the "La Bohème" performance! Just imagine, if I were a part of that show⌠maybe I will be one day. Oh! How thrilling! What other dreams will my travels bring about for me, and you?
As always, darlings, donât forget, we all have a beautiful world of fashion and our own inner beauty and a touch of whimsy and a whole lot of tulle! Have a beautiful Tutu Tuesday and I'll be back next week.
Lots of Love,
Emma
