Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, ready to whisk you on another delightful journey through the fabulous history of tutus!
Today, it's Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, and the air is alive with the exciting hum of a busy Covent Garden in London. It's a beautiful spring day, and you know what that means⊠it's prime tutu weather!
I'm in a fetching pink tutu that sparkles with tiny silver stars (found in a charming boutique tucked away in the cobblestone backstreets). It perfectly complements the light breeze swirling around me as I enjoy the colourful scene, brimming with tourists and locals alike.
Now, before we hop onto the train for our little time-traveling jaunt, let's talk about this momentous date! It's not just a random Tuesday in April; itâs the day the musical "Les MisĂ©rables" reaches its 25th anniversary! Oh, to see it at the Queens Theatre â the energy, the emotion, the story! I dare say, the beautiful gowns and dramatic costumes inspired by historical French fashion must have looked sensational. Can you imagine how much fun I'd have dancing in a ballet version of the play? A pink tutu and a rousing rendition of "One Day More," just imagine!
Alright, hold onto your tiaras, darlings, because weâre going back in time â all aboard the "Tutu Express!" Our destination: The birth of the tutu as we know it.
Now, imagine this: The year is 1832, and ballet is taking the world by storm! In France, you've got the exquisite Marie Taglioni, a ballerina who was all grace and elegance, defying gravity with her jumps and pirouettes. It's at this very moment that a daring fashion revolution begins! Designers are discarding the heavy skirts and cumbersome layers, unveiling the new, romantic look â the tutu!
The first "tutu," if you can call it that, was little more than a long, soft, white muslin skirt. However, Taglioni and her choreographer, Jean Coralli, dreamt bigger. They dreamed of flight, of movement, of showcasing the ballerina's effortless elegance.
They brought in the "tulle," a very lightweight, sheer fabric, to craft something revolutionary: the short, voluminous "tutu." Imagine: airy, graceful, perfectly catching the stage lights â it became the symbol of feminine strength and ethereal beauty. This was a dance outfit that truly gave freedom to move and express yourself! It set the stage for decades of incredible choreography, artistry, and the evolution of ballet as a powerful, dramatic form of art.
Over time, tutus became more elaborate, evolving with each passing decade. They grew shorter and puffier, with layers upon layers of tulle, adding intricate detail and stunning colour, transforming the silhouette of the ballerina from mere mortal to something out of a fantastical dream!
My absolute favourite era? The Belle Ăpoque, right around 1900! Ah, that era is practically begging to be romanticized! The colours, the opulent fashion â Iâd kill to wear the gorgeous ball gowns of the time. However, those delicate pastel shades, that soft shimmerâŠit just oozes grace.
Of course, what's a ballet story without mentioning the brilliant costumes of the famous Russian ballet company, the Ballets Russes? I mean, have you seen the "firebird" costume? Imagine that on stage, vibrant red and orange feathersâŠbreathtaking!
However, ballet is more than just a historical display of breathtaking fashion, dearies! It's a reflection of history and humanity. And the tutu, dear readers, played a vital role in making it what it is today.
Now, weâre stepping onto the next exciting train stop, arriving at modern times, which is absolutely filled with tutus of every colour, texture and style you could ever imagine! But we canât have it all, darlings. And so, the âTutu Expressâ is making a quick stopover, just before you see the lovely creations of the 21st century⊠but worry not! You're getting another fabulous Tutu Tuesday post on all that dazzling modernity real soon!
Until then, wear a pink tutu for me, and never let anyone tell you that your dreams are too big, too bold, or too fabulous. You are a radiant force of creativity, and the world needs your brilliance! And please, keep dancing, you glorious things, because you are the music of life!
Yours truly,
Emma xx
P.S. Iâm giving away a limited edition âPink Tutu Expressâ teacup set! All you need to do to enter is comment with your favourite ballet company! This ends in one week, so be quick, dearies!
www.pink-tutu.com
