Hello my dears! It's Emma here, back from another fabulous time travel adventure! I simply must share my latest escapade - a grand trip back to Paris in the year 1865! Now, you all know my obsession with tutus, and let me tell you, even back then, they were having their moment in the limelight. Imagine, Paris, the city of love, with ballerinas swirling around in gossamer-light skirts - it's simply magical!
But before we jump into the history of the tutu, let's talk about why I was there. You see, on the 3rd of March, 1865, something rather special happened – the world premiere of a ballet called "La Source," a piece that still gets me utterly twirling with delight today! The choreography was, as you would expect, oh-so-graceful and the music, just enchanting!
It was while I was in Paris, enjoying the sheer thrill of being transported to another era, that I bumped into a little gem of a shop, brimming with the most incredible fabric and lace you've ever seen! Now, don't judge me, but I practically cried when I saw a gorgeous spool of tulle, the softest pink you could imagine! It's definitely getting sewn into a masterpiece, just for this special #TutuTuesday!
Now, back to the glorious ballet world of the 1860s. This period in ballet history is incredibly exciting, as it marked a transition into a more athletic and expressive style. This change was mirrored in the evolving costumes, with the tutus beginning to transform into what we know and adore today.
Gone were the cumbersome skirts that restricted movement and hindered the graceful flow of dance. Instead, ballerinas like Marie Taglioni were leading the charge for a lighter, shorter design. These new, innovative tutus allowed for an explosion of leaps, turns and delicate extensions - a visual symphony of graceful movement that left the audiences spellbound.
So, on this #TutuTuesday, let's take a peek at the different styles that were beginning to dominate the stage:
The Romantic Tutu: Think airy, delicate and billowing – a veritable cloud of fabric encasing the ballerina. Picture Taglioni, the embodiment of this style, seemingly floating across the stage. Romantic tutus were often constructed of multiple layers of soft tulle, flowing down in a whimsical cascade of soft pink hues, a vision of beauty that captured the romantic spirit of the era.
The "Pagliacci" Tutu: Ah, the Pagliacci! Now this one was something truly special. Inspired by the charming pantomime traditions of Italian Commedia dell'arte, it embraced a lighter, more playful silhouette, ideal for portraying characters like Pierrot and Columbine. Imagine vibrant colours, intricate embellishments and a touch of theatrical magic. It was almost as if these tutus were designed for storytelling and creating whimsical moments, like stepping out of a playful fairytale.
The "Classical" Tutu: The "Classical" tutu, a silhouette we are more familiar with today, was still emerging, it's the short, tight fitting tutu with the extra layers for extra fluff around the bottom - the one we think of when we hear the word "tutu" ! Think about the legendary ballerinas, from Anna Pavlova to Olga Spessivtseva. These ballerinas embraced the grace and agility allowed by the tight fit, showcasing the stunning athleticism of the dancers while giving the graceful and flowing look! It is also about this time that ballet began to flourish as an art form in Russia.
As you can imagine, my trip to Paris wasn't all about tutus (though, admittedly, it was mostly about tutus!), I did have a chance to do a bit of window shopping and indulging my fashionista side.
I found a truly lovely little boutique bursting with intricate embroideries and velvet ribbons, just the sort of thing for a vintage tutu redesign, oh, the possibilities! I even treated myself to a new travel hat (pink, naturally!).
After an exhilarating whirlwind of tutus, history and delicious pastries, I had to return to my own time. Don't you hate goodbyes? Especially when they involve leaving Paris and the wonderful ballet history of this amazing era.
So, what's the lesson for #TutuTuesday today? Don't be afraid to embrace change, to experiment and evolve with the times. You might be surprised by what beautiful things you discover.
And remember, there's no wrong way to wear a tutu. We all deserve a bit of magic, a bit of sparkle in our lives. Now, go out there, put on a pink tutu (because honestly, pink is the perfect tutu colour) and embrace your inner ballerina!
See you all next Tuesday for another dazzling adventure in #TutuTuesday history!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
