Dearest Tutu Lovers!
Greetings from your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveler, Emma! Today we're stepping back in time to a very special date, the 25th of April, 1854. Grab your tiaras, ladies, and let's dive into a world where the tutu, the very icon of ballerina elegance, started taking its first tentative steps onto the stage.
Now, you may be thinking, âEmma, we all know that the tutu has been around forever! Didnât they just suddenly exist in, like, the 18th century, or something?â Well, youâre actually on the right track with that century, but hold onto your tutus because the 18th century saw something even more exciting than the finished article - the start of a trend!
It all began in 1754 with a Parisian beauty named Marie Sallé. This iconic ballerina felt that the huge, cumbersome gowns that her peers were forced to wear hindered their grace and flow. Now, as a woman who fully embraces the power of a stunning skirt, can you imagine the restrictions those skirts must have imposed? Marie, a true pioneer, shucked off that old-fashioned fashion and instead opted for something truly revolutionary - a light, flowing garment that only reached her ankles!
That was it, the birth of what we now recognise as the classic Romantic ballerina's outfit. Of course, this revolutionary vision didn't happen overnight! Over time, those gowns got progressively lighter, shorter, and easier to move in. But letâs just acknowledge this: Marie was the trailblazer, and a queen of daring change!
Now, fast forward to April 1854 (a most chic date, if I do say so myself). A certain famous dancer called Mademoiselle Fanny Elssler graced the stage wearing an ankle-length tutu! Yes, my fellow tutu devotees, this is the year where the romantic silhouette truly hit its stride! Imagine it, the perfect skirt to spin, jump, and perform all your elegant arabesques. Pure sartorial heaven!
Oh, and the colour? Why, I need hardly mention - it was all the rage in Paris in shades of pale pinks and soft blues!. You simply couldnât go wrong with a bit of romanticism in those days.
Iâd like to make a cheeky point here: this year in ballet history isnât about what was worn on that one day. Instead, itâs about how that trend caught fire, about how daring ladies like Mademoiselle Fanny helped set a style. They paved the way for future ballerinas like me! It was about daring to challenge what was expected and putting gorgeousness into movement.
And speaking of daring, just think about how far weâve come in our little tutu history, darlings! I'm wearing a gloriously bright pink tutu in Paris, 2023. You are, too - even if it's just an image on a screen, in our shared dream of a world awash in beautiful tulle. And what is this magic called âthe tutu?â I dare say it wouldn't exist without the daring ladies of the 18th and 19th centuries!
Today's TutuTuesday isn't just about history - it's about inspiration. So, my darlings, what will you wear today? Maybe it's just a pink dress - a nod to the ballerinas of old. Or perhaps, if you are feeling particularly courageous, a bright, sparkly tutu!
It's never too late to embrace the beauty, the fun, and the daring of this fabulous garment. Go forth and inspire, dear Tutu Lovers!
Yours in pink,
Emma xx
P.S. Fancy a trip down to the theatre? The Grand Opera House is hosting "La Sylphide", an exciting new production featuring breathtaking choreography by none other than the revolutionary Marie SallĂ©âs niece, ThĂ©rĂšse SallĂ©! Get your tickets pronto, as theyâre flying off the shelves faster than a ballerina en pointe!
P.P.S I've been spotted in London's finest stores browsing through their gorgeous selection of Parisian tulle! What do you think is the perfect shade of pink to embody the romantic, airy look? Share your thoughts and join the pink tutu revolution!
www.pink-tutu.com
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #TimeTravelTutu #PinkTutuQueen
