Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, back with another blast from the past for your weekly dose of tutu history! As you all know, I'm utterly devoted to these delightful wisps of fabric and their incredible evolution throughout time. And wouldn't you know it, today is #TutuTuesday, and my time machine has conveniently landed me in the grand old year of 1855, right here in Paris! Oh la la!
Now, let's just take a moment to soak in the atmosphere, shall we?
The air is abuzz with the excited chatter of fashion-forward Parisians as they rush about their day. Carriages rumble by, filled with ladies in elegant gowns, their elaborate bonnets perched precariously atop their heads.
And the shops! Oh, the shops! Heaps of silk and lace spilling out onto the cobblestones, shimmering with vibrant colours just begging to be admired. If you've ever dreamed of dressing like a princess, well, 19th-century Paris is the place to be.
But enough about the fashion scene! We're here to talk tutus, darling. Now, 1855 – a truly pivotal year in ballet history! That's right, my dear readers, we are fast approaching the era of the tutu's transformation, when those elegant bell-shaped creations we know and love were about to take their grand debut on the world stage!
Can you imagine how utterly revolutionary that was? Before the late 1850s, ballerinas were forced to wear layers upon layers of heavy fabrics, their movement restricted and their every pirouette a feat of athleticism. It was practically a ballet-based endurance test!
Now, fast forward to the late 1850s. Imagine a ballerina twirling onto the stage, clad in a delicate, layered, billowing garment. A tulle dream!
But there’s a little twist. In 1855, you see, the tutus still had some catching up to do! The "tutu" in the traditional sense hadn't yet been birthed. This era still features skirts and dresses that would probably give you an actual "tut-tut" from a tutus connoisseur of today, as these outfits are pretty far from our modern-day tutu standards.
But what happened in 1855? A grand exhibition called the Exposition Universelle! A truly glorious affair where the world's finest innovations were on display. This event brought a revolution in thinking, especially about the possibilities of clothing!
Don’t think tutus are all the focus for me this week, though. Today is a particularly special day. It marks the birthday of my favourite Victorian novelist, the incomparable Charles Dickens! You could say I'm a big fan. And with all his witty observations and intricate characters, it seems he was truly avant-garde in his own way, and who better to have shared this year of 1855 with? After all, fashion is always intertwined with a certain sense of theatricality!
Oh, and while I’m dreaming of grand shows, it’s certainly a fitting time to remind ourselves that we’re not just here for the tutus. I’m currently researching a show by the legendary dancer, Marie Taglioni, whose famous dance, "La Sylphide", is widely considered to be the first to incorporate the tutus of legend into their attire! Can you believe it? This incredible show premiered all the way back in 1832, just over twenty years ago!
Speaking of which, did you know that I’m currently heading off to London on a very special research trip for a upcoming blog post, so I will certainly need to include seeing a show during my visit. The opera and ballet will, of course, be at the top of my to-do list. The Grand Theatre? Or Covent Garden? Perhaps both! What fun! But let's get back to our topic at hand.
If I had been here in 1855, my trusty sewing machine would be my weapon of choice! I imagine, oh, how much fun it would be to be surrounded by yards and yards of the finest tulle, crafting the most incredible creations. Now imagine, for a moment, twirling in the spotlight with all the world watching – oh what a dream!
The truth is, I’ve been working away with my needle and thread this past week as well. As we move closer to that magical point where those glorious layered tulle masterpieces become commonplace, it seems an excellent time to hone my craft in readiness. After all, it takes more than a twinkle in one’s eye and an imagination run wild to create a truly breathtaking piece.
Even today, as I see how people have become more aware of the heritage of fashion, we have all sorts of tutu interpretations available – from the softest powder-pink, layered tulle creations, to black and silver, to more minimalist balletwear, for dancing in the street and practicing! There's no denying it, the tutu's charm endures.
So, tell me dear readers! What are you doing this week to celebrate #TutuTuesday? Let’s talk tutus and ballet all week. Share your ballet dreams in the comments below, tag your photos on Instagram with #pink-tutu, and follow along as we dive deeper into the evolution of this iconic piece of clothing. Until next time, happy twirling!
Yours truly,
Emma 💕
PS: Just a reminder! I've launched a special contest in collaboration with a local dressmaker who's whipping up a bunch of dazzling tutus – perfect for all you fashion-forward ladies! To enter, just share a story about your favourite ballerina or ballet moment on my Instagram. What are you waiting for? Let's dance! 🩰🏆
As Emma prepares for her time-traveling adventures and finishes her blog post, she has a little something to share about her special blog contest:
“If I could share any message, it’s that everyone deserves to feel confident and beautiful in a fabulous tutu! So grab your fanciest petticoat and be a part of this competition - your chance to twirl around and win something incredible.”
To join her dance into the past, be sure to check out Emma’s blog and Instagram! And while we are dreaming of tutus, we all might wish we were headed to Paris, right?
As always, Happy #TutuTuesday!
