Helloooo fellow tutu lovers! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-clad time traveller, bringing you another #TutuTuesday installment from my blog, www.pink-tutu.com!
Can you believe it's the 7th of September already? The air is crisp, the leaves are starting to change colour, and you know what that means? 🍂 Ballet season is just around the corner! The season for glorious costumes, stunning choreography and captivating stories on stage...and of course, tutus!
Speaking of tutus... did you know that this Tuesday marks a particularly exciting day in tutu history? Let me rewind the clock and whisk you back to the early 19th century... 🕰️
Before I tell you all about the tutu of this special date, I have to tell you about the dress and fashion from that period, shall we? Just imagine yourself walking down the street of a bustling English town – say, Derby or maybe even London. Ladies in fashionable long, sweeping gowns, men in frock coats, with elaborate bonnets and parasols adding a dash of colour and a touch of class to the scene. Imagine you're strolling along a cobbled street past horse drawn carriages. Think layers of fabric with an intricate floral print and perhaps a little lace detailing on your frock. It's such a stylish scene, a little stuffy maybe... definitely not as fabulous as today's vibrant streets! Fashion in the early 19th century was very restrictive, lots of layers with a definite "less is more" aesthetic.
And then came Marie Taglioni, the ethereal Italian ballerina. Imagine the impact of her entry into the stage scene!
She came along and flipped the whole thing on its head! Remember that 'less is more' approach I mentioned? Marie was about more is MORE! Imagine Marie, dancing with light airy grace in her light weight short skirt, like a delicate flower, dancing through a spring breeze! Can you picture it? It's like magic, like something out of a dream... a far cry from the long skirts that were so fashionable on the streets at the time! That is the true revolutionary aspect of Taglioni's tutu!
Fast forward to 1832, and we have the debut of La Sylphide, an iconic ballet that captured hearts and sparked a trend! This show propelled Taglioni to the centre stage, as a revolutionary ballerina breaking new ground with her effortless performance and the lightness and exquisite beauty of her innovative, ankle-length white tutus, often layered with frills.
You know me... I love a frill or two! 😍 In the world of tutus, these revolutionary shorter skirts became the precursor to what we now recognise as the tutu. The ballet world had discovered a way to allow the graceful movements of ballerinas to truly be shown to the world! We started seeing an explosion of the tutu - we see the use of multiple layers, variations in the length and the use of beautiful, decorative materials! This is a far cry from those stuffy layers of a regular frock, ladies!
I bet you are thinking 'Okay Emma... what's so special about the 7th of September?!'
Hold your horses... this is where the time travel part comes in! Back to the beginning of my post... I mentioned that the air is starting to change, that there is a definite sense that things are about to change? I am back to 1832 today and we are on the cusp of another dance revolution... a tutu revolution to be exact! But I cannot say more... we must let time keep on ticking so the secrets can unfold and the story of the tutu continues!
There you have it! Today's #TutuTuesday tidbit is all about celebrating Marie Taglioni and the groundbreaking impact she had on dance and its costumes. Imagine what ballet would be like without the tutu? Not nearly as exciting or inspiring! The world owes Taglioni a debt of gratitude for the graceful, free flowing and romantic movement we are blessed to see from the iconic tutu! What better way to honour such an iconic garment than to wear a beautiful pink tutu while I whisk you through time to bring you this week’s blog!
Don't forget, I love to see all your beautiful tutu moments. Be sure to share your pictures with me by tagging @pinktutu on Instagram and Twitter. I am looking forward to seeing what your favourite tutus are! If you want to continue your journey through the history of the tutu, then come back next week for the next instalment of my #TutuTuesday blog!
Until then, keep twirling! 😉
Much love,
Emma 💕
Now, how about I tell you about this wonderful journey I have had this week?Last week was absolutely magical! You know I have a passion for everything ballet-related. The thrill of a good show and the opportunity to indulge in some seriously amazing fashion is all part of the magic. This past week was a dream come true! I hopped on the train, feeling every bit like a Victorian-era traveller - though maybe a slightly more stylish one with my hot pink tutu adding a touch of glamour to the scenery. (Okay, maybe it's not exactly "Victorian-era", but hey, it makes for a good story).
After a few hours whizzing through the English countryside - with my headphones playing some favourite ballet music... did I tell you I adore Tchaikovsky and Debussy? – I arrived in a fabulous metropolis full of glamour and magic. Can you guess where I went? Yes, London! What is more exciting about going to a city with the energy of London than heading to see the Royal Ballet?! This ballet performance is always a feast for the eyes and I know you will love it too! There's the magic of the grand, chandelier-lit theater, the symphony music that just transports you and of course, the dancers in all their glorious costumes... 🩰
After the ballet, it was time for a little retail therapy. Don’t you love the energy you feel after seeing an amazing ballet show? Well, for me, it's all about fashion. I'm telling you, London has a phenomenal collection of stores! It wasn't just about clothes; I found a collection of vintage ballet posters, some adorable pink shoes, some beautiful fabric with a light pink and silver tone which I am planning to use for a tutu design project, and some gorgeous antique lace trims which I hope to use in a future creation! London is an endless treasure trove!
Of course, after all of the excitement and after my trip through the glamorous vintage ballet world I couldn't leave without indulging in a wonderful cup of tea and delicious afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason, of course. After a busy day there is nothing better than the comforting ritual of tea time! This tradition, though classic, is full of fabulous fun and delicious treats!
This week I return back to my usual, comfy Derbyshire countryside... but you can bet that my suitcase is full of amazing stories, inspiration for new tutu designs, and of course, a stash of lovely gifts for my fellow pink-tutu lovers. 💕
Don't forget to share your stories and tutu inspiration with me by tagging @pinktutu on social media! And check out my blog for my new, pink tutu inspired dress designs! You can also send me a message on Instagram! I’d love to see what makes your heart flutter when you think about tutus! Until next time, keep dreaming and stay fabulous! 😉
Emma 💕
