Hello my darling tutu-loving lovelies!
It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time-travelling fashionista, and today we're whisking you back to 1st July 1845!
Can you imagine stepping onto a bustling Parisian street, the air buzzing with excitement, the carriages clinking along cobblestone streets, and the scent of fresh pastries mingling with the sounds of a lively marketplace?
That's precisely where we are today!
Remember our mission – to trace the enchanting history of the ballet tutu! Well, 1845 was a significant year for ballet and for fashion. You see, darling, the tutu we know and love wasn't quite what you would see today. Back in 1845, they weren't those beautifully delicate and wispy tutus that swirl around ballerinas, making them look like magical fairy creatures. The tutus of the time were quite different!
A peek behind the curtain of 1845
Imagine a dancer, clad in a skirt so stiff and voluminous it almost seems like it would need a framework! Well, it kind of did. It was a circular structure made of hoops. The structure was hidden beneath the skirt to give it that lovely bell-shaped form.
Imagine, a dancer with all those layers, how could they move? Well, that's where the brilliance of the ballerinas of that era comes in.
Now, think of our fabulous Marie Taglioni – she was the superstar dancer of her day! She was a ballerina who wasn't just beautiful, but elegant, graceful, and expressive!
The Story of Marie Taglioni:
It was this extraordinary ballerina who started the transition to a more refined, elegant tutu that we now know! Her movements in the famed "La Sylphide" ballet inspired others to move away from the stiff, cumbersome tutus. You see, with all those hoops, it would be difficult for even the most seasoned dancer to pirouette gracefully or even take a grand jeté.
Marie's movement, agility, and lightness became a trendsetter in ballet fashion, making the way for tutus that had less bulk and were lighter, letting ballerinas move with freedom and grace! This ushered in the era of the more refined tutu, but not yet the whimsical creations we are familiar with today. It was just a hint, like a promise of things to come!
So, What Was Happening in 1845?
Think of the grand theatres bustling with excited chatter! It's the day a young composer is gaining recognition – Johannes Brahms, the great master of orchestral music! He was just 14 in 1845 and his talent was starting to flourish, destined to inspire countless future composers. It was a thrilling time for musical artistry.
Across the globe, a thrilling adventure unfolded - the voyage of the 'Rosalie' - the first ship to complete the round trip through the newly discovered Northwest Passage in the Arctic. Imagine the explorers battling the unforgiving ice and darkness, setting their eyes on new lands and paving the way for future adventures. It was a bold step for exploration and a moment that marked human ambition at its finest!
Time to Explore My Pink World:
Here in Paris, darling, fashion is at the heart of life. And what can be more chic than an elegant shop with beautifully displayed fabrics, exquisite bonnets and dazzling hats, and shimmering trims for that perfect touch of extravagance? Today, I will lose myself in the colourful world of fashion, seeking the perfect lace trim to create my own miniature tutu replica of Marie Taglioni's! I might just have to snag a bit of satin and silk as well!
Speaking of extravagant hats, my dear reader, remember the story of Marie Taglioni? I've stumbled across something utterly fascinating in my recent time travels. She is considered the innovator of The Romantic tutu, an almost legendary ballerina, even though some critics viewed it with scepticism. But Marie was ahead of her time, like so many others in our fabulous history!
Think of all the daring pioneers and visionary artists that paved the way for our love of tutu fashion! This journey across the years is just so inspiring, and my desire to share these stories grows even stronger! I'm thrilled to know you are joining me in celebrating our amazing tutu journey through time!
Until next time my lovelies, keep those tutus twirling and your dreams bright! Remember to post a photo of you rocking your tutu, wherever you are. I just adore seeing your #tutuselfie! Now off to get lost in the charm of 1845 Paris!
See you next Tuesday!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
