#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2017-12-05

Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to 19th Century Paris - talk about a fashion paradise! 😉 But before we dive into that, let me tell you, you wouldn't BELIEVE what a glorious performance I saw in Vienna last night! It was "Giselle" at the Vienna State Opera and absolutely stunning! The dancers were divine, the costumes a symphony of lace and tulle, and the whole atmosphere… sigh… just magical. 💖

Now, where were we? Ah yes, Paris! This city is bursting with fashion and joie de vivre! Think crisp, elegant dresses with beautiful flounces and yards of exquisite fabrics – and let’s not forget the glorious tutus! Yes, my loves, tutus are already a big thing in 1800s Paris, though quite a different style from the modern ones we adore!

I stumbled upon the Opéra Garnier, a magnificent building (with a fascinating history - more on that later!), and popped in to witness a truly elegant production of "La Fille mal gardée," a sweet and funny ballet full of gorgeous costumes. You just have to love those charmingly puffed skirts and playful little tutus – even then, the tutu had the power to make a ballet dancer look utterly ethereal.

Speaking of "La Fille mal gardée," did you know it's one of the oldest ballets still regularly performed today? Isn't that amazing? The tutu was a part of the first versions of this beloved classic back in the 18th century. Back then, the "tutu" was far less elaborate – imagine a light, almost translucent garment, just enough to show off the graceful movements of the dancer's legs. So much for those massive layers of tulle we adore today!

It was around 1830 that the tutu, as we know it, started taking shape. A renowned ballerina, Marie Taglioni, made waves in "La Sylphide" – a groundbreaking ballet where she danced on pointe with her delicate, tiered tulle skirt that revealed her incredible grace and skill. That's when the iconic tutu silhouette truly captured hearts!

Oh, and let’s not forget the delightful pink tutu! The colour was actually quite popular for dance costumes in those days, so the delicate and pretty aesthetic definitely has its roots in that period. 😉 This week, I even found a stunning pink tutu in an antique shop in Paris, completely captivating! Sadly, it’s too precious for even me to wear… so I may just have to admire it from afar. 😉

So, you see, the tutu's journey is quite fascinating! It went from humble beginnings to becoming an icon of grace and beauty in ballet, and let’s be honest – what better way to show off those moves?

Anyway, I'll leave you to imagine yourselves twirling in your own adorable pink tutus. I'll be back next week, full of adventures in the world of dance. Until then, happy twirling and don't forget to share your own pink tutu looks on our social media. 💖

P.S. I know it’s a long blog this week – but can you blame me when Paris is bursting with so much historical beauty and exciting tutu fashion? Don't forget to follow our adventures on social media, too! You never know where our journey will take us next! 😉