#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2014-02-25

Blog Post Number 9505 - 25th February 2014

Hello my lovely tutu-tastic readers! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-loving, ballet-obsessed, time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you back to the fascinating world of tutu history.

Today, I’m taking a trip right back to the era of tulle and romance - the 1800s! We're going to delve into the beginnings of this magical, swirling garment that transforms us all into graceful, fairy-tale princesses!

Now, before we take our magical train journey, a quick shoutout to my fellow tutu enthusiasts: Remember that today's the big day! Don your most magnificent pink tutu and let's all celebrate the glorious world of ballet together! We'll be exploring Paris, New York, London... the possibilities are endless! And who knows, you might just catch me twirling past you at a performance or a class! Just follow the trail of pink sparkles and you'll find me!

Imagine this - 1839. The air crackles with excitement in the Palais Garnier, Paris, and in a flash, Marie Taglioni bursts onto the stage in a breathtaking vision! It's her portrayal of "La Sylphide," the legendary ballet that ushered in a whole new era of dancing and costume design.

It wasn't just Taglioni's mesmerizing steps that sent audiences into a frenzy - it was her tutu! It was a revolutionary change from the heavy, restrictive gowns that dancers had been wearing.

This incredible new design, crafted by the genius Eugène Lami, was light, airy, and oh so pretty! It floated and swirled with every move, allowing the dancers to finally unleash their grace and fluidity. And believe me, there was a lot of swooning in the audience!

The "La Sylphide" tutu was made with tiers of airy tulle, meticulously sewn in layers, which created the dreamy, cloud-like effect. Gone were the floor-length, cumbersome dresses! It was a breathtaking new vision that brought about a truly revolutionary era in dance and costume design.

Now, the 1800s weren't just about beautiful tutus; it was about revolutionary movements in art and culture!

Just as Romanticism spread throughout the arts, it swept into fashion! Imagine women wanting to emulate these ethereal, fairytale figures in real life, just like the characters we saw onstage! And you know what, that's exactly what they did!

Suddenly, the whole world was obsessed with tutu-style skirts!

Think swirling gowns, delicate laces, and all that wonderful, airy tulle we know and love. These fashionable looks were inspired by the stage, and it gave a sense of freedom and lightheartedness, so very much in tune with the spirit of Romanticism.

The idea of tutus wasn't just about dancing, it was about expressing beauty and freedom!

And guess what? This is exactly why I've travelled back to 2014. It’s an incredible time in fashion history! Designers are experimenting with different shapes, fabrics and embellishments, crafting stunning new styles.

But there are more than just tutus here in 2014 - we’ve got incredible street style that's channeling the same sense of whimsy! It's as if the Romantic era is bursting out from the past and spilling onto the sidewalks!

I see these awesome tutus on everyone - celebrities, dancers, even everyday folks just walking around town! There are tutus for every mood - from elegant ball gowns, sparkling with sequins, to bright, colourful styles that express sheer joy and fun.

It's truly a magical time to be alive, and the future of the tutu? It's brimming with exciting new possibilities!

I know, I know, you're just itching to hop into that time machine with me! I can hear your eager shouts of "TAKE ME!" But unfortunately, this time travel blog post can only last for so long.

As I say farewell to the charming world of 2014, I can’t help but wonder... will the tutu of the future be even more spectacular than its past?

Well, I’m excited to find out! But before we venture forth into the exciting future of tutus, why don't we all indulge in the magic of the present?

Pick out your favourite tutu (and make sure it's pink!), twirl, dance and spread some joy! We'll celebrate everything we love about the tutu – the creativity, the grace, and of course, the irresistible joy of ballet!

And don’t forget, join me next week as we explore even more ballet tutu history! See you next Tuesday on #TutuTuesday, for the next incredible chapter in our tutu-tastic adventure!

With all my love,

Emma.