#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2019-01-29

Hello darlings! Welcome back to another week of #TutuTuesday! It’s Tuesday the 29th of January 2019, and it’s a crisp morning here in Paris. The air is tinged with the smell of freshly baked croissants and there's a hint of anticipation in the air - the smell of a new fashion adventure, perhaps? I’ve just stepped out of the train station after a delightful train journey from the cobbled streets of London, and my heart is already aflutter with excitement for today's explorations. I've come to Paris for a little shopping spree and, of course, for the ballet!

Today, we’re whisking ourselves back in time, darlings! We’re travelling to the fascinating world of the 19th century and discovering the roots of the magnificent ballet tutu. As usual, my pink tutu is just bursting with all the Victorian vibes - it’s a delicate blush colour with ruffles of pale pink tulle. My petticoat’s got layers upon layers of fluffy white silk, so my tutus just billow and flow every time I pirouette!

Okay, darlings, I’m ready to share my Parisian history lessons with you. Let’s get started, shall we?

*A Time Before the Tutu… *

It might surprise you to know that the tutu as we know it, a fluffy symbol of elegance and artistry, wasn’t always the star of the show. Imagine a stage covered in knee-length skirts! Can you even fathom it, darlings? That was the norm before the revolutionary invention of the tutu, back in the 18th century. These were big, cumbersome affairs that were practical, yes, but didn’t exactly encourage pirouettes, right?

But, like any fabulous fashion transformation, there was a spark of inspiration, a visionary soul. I’m talking, of course, about Marie Taglioni, the first ballerina to truly redefine the look of a dancer. In the early 19th century, this amazing Italian beauty, with her flowing movements, revolutionized ballet! Can you believe, she actually wore a calf-length, billowing skirt on stage! She had such amazing grace and lightness. Imagine her delicate steps, those expressive movements. Imagine the artistry. This marked the beginning of the iconic tulle revolution, darlings!

The Dawn of the Tulle Tutu:

After the arrival of Taglioni’s iconic billowing skirt, ballet had finally begun to express movement. A desire for freedom emerged, for a costume that could fly as much as a ballerina’s spirit! Enter the “Romantic” tutu. Now, we are getting into the glorious 1830s and 1840s. A revolutionary time! This shorter skirt - barely reaching the knee, it was a game-changer, accentuating every move with such beautiful detail, giving ballerinas new freedom of motion. Now the public could finally see those delicate feet, the lightness and agility, as dancers glided effortlessly across the stage.

Fashion and the Art of Ballerina's Tutus:

By the end of the 19th century, tutudom was blooming. The tutu wasn’t just about a dancer's elegance – it became a powerful statement about the changing times. You see, darlings, those shimmering layers of tulle represented more than just the dancer; they reflected society itself. The Romantic tutu was all about freedom and expressive artistry, and it inspired everyone! The Victorians adored their lace and flounces, and the delicate ruffles of the tutu mirrored this sentiment perfectly. A fashion trend that was reflected everywhere, and, believe me, I was there, and it was glorious!

From Tulle to Fashion:

This era saw a dramatic fashion revolution across all of Europe, even into America. We were on the cusp of the modern world, where femininity was the driving force behind style! You see, fashion design began incorporating more feminine elements like frills and ruffles, drawing inspiration from ballet’s ethereal beauty. And, oh, the colours! We had light pastel shades and delicate hues of blue, pink, and peach, mirroring those found on stage! In fact, one of the earliest tutu designs - known as a “Romantic Tutu” – actually inspired this movement! Talk about influential fashion!

My Parisien Shopping Adventure:

I must dash now, darlings, as my ballet adventure begins. I have a date with my favourite ballet shop in Paris. They just have the most incredible tutus – perfect for this #TutuTuesday inspiration! They have these gorgeous fluffy ones with delicate feather trims. Imagine the elegance! As the ballerina looks elegant and graceful, and every step looks so ethereal. I’m thinking about a black feather trim for tonight’s ballet performance, it would just go so well with my dark pink tutu and my silver ballet shoes! The perfect touch of drama, you know what I mean?

I hope you've had a blast learning about the history of tutus with me, darlings! Don’t forget to pop by my pink-tutu.com for some fabulous photos from my shopping adventures and, as always, keep those twirls coming! I want to see all those gorgeous #TutuTuesdays - the pinker the better!

Until next time, darling! Keep twirling!

Emma xx