Hello my darling ballet bunnies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel, your monthly dose of all things pink, twirly and utterly fabulous! I'm Emma, your Derbyshire-born, tutu-clad time traveller, and this month, we're taking a trip back to 1837! That's right, darlings, we're stepping back in time to a year of great excitement in the ballet world, and guess who's ready to soak up all the dazzling delights? This girl!
Magic Meg, my darling pink-sparkling shire horse, is chomping at the bit. Her golden hooves are pawing the ground impatiently. My pink leather rucksack is packed to the brim with all my must-have ballet essentials, and let's just say it's a whole lot pinker than my usual travel gear!
This time, my destination is Paris, the very heart of the ballet world! It's the year Queen Victoria ascends the throne, and oh, how fitting that our own "Queen of Dance" is making her grand debut too. Who could she possibly be? None other than the legendary Marie Taglioni, darling!
You might be wondering why 1837 was such a pivotal year. Well, let me tell you, it's not just about the royal crowning or a certain ballerina's big moment. This year marked the start of a revolution in ballet fashion! And no, it's not about tights being invented – they've been around for quite some time!
Before we delve deeper into the fashion revolution, we need to talk about the show, the one everyone is flocking to, the talk of the town, La Sylphide! Now, Taglioni, a ballerina who redefined elegance and grace, chose this exact year to introduce us to a new character that has since become an icon: the sylph, a supernatural being known for her ethereal beauty and ethereal dancing. And how did she portray this otherworldly creature? You guessed it, with the most stunning and innovative tutu you've ever seen! It was a masterpiece of fabric and construction, flowing, delicate and perfectly capturing the sylph's magical aura.
Just picture this, dear readers: a single layer of tulle, so fine it almost seemed weightless, skimming her legs. And to accentuate the grace, it had a simple satin waistband tied with beautiful, cascading ribbons -- truly a sight to behold! Imagine a shimmering cloud spun into the form of a tutu – simply breathtaking!
The moment Taglioni took the stage in this revolutionary tutu, the world of ballet fashion changed forever. She became known as "the Queen of Tulle," and let's face it, no other tutu ever matched that one! It set the stage for a new era, one that embraced lightweight and ethereal costumes, and it's an era that continues to inspire ballerinas even today!
Speaking of inspiration, I couldn't be more thrilled! Imagine, being in the audience during Taglioni's debut! To see this incredible ballerina bringing such magic to life…it's simply beyond anything we could experience today.
But hold your horses, darling! Before we imagine the thrill of the show, let's delve deeper into Parisian fashion of 1837. It was a whirlwind of style, with dresses, hats, and of course, those stunning ballet costumes! Think delicate floral prints, vibrant colours and lavish trims, oh my!
Remember how Taglioni set a new standard with her tutu? Well, this new era was also influenced by the ballet fashion outside the theatre, as women in Parisian society began wearing tutus, or variations thereof, for their social engagements. It's true, my dear readers, those iconic tutus began infiltrating Parisian streets and drawing whispers of admiration as women went about their day.
Even today, that dream of seeing tutus become commonplace in everyday life remains a powerful one! So while I dream of this dream becoming a reality, I know it's a challenge! Even the most stunning tutu can seem a bit out of place amidst the hustle and bustle of the 21st century.
And yet, there's a glimmer of hope. We see tutus everywhere in dance productions, even in more modern forms! I see glimpses of inspiration in the streets – a sprinkle of tulle here, a splash of pink there – it makes my heart soar. We're already heading in the right direction!
My goal remains the same, my dear readers, to get every ballerina, and ultimately, everyone, to embrace the joy, elegance and sheer wonder of a perfectly pink tutu! It's a journey full of twists, turns and thrilling discoveries. It’s a journey we’ll take together.
Stay tuned, darling bunnies! For in my next time travel blog, I'll delve into the story behind those stunning Parisian tutus of 1837 – you won't believe some of the techniques they used back then.
Until next month, stay pink and twirl on, darlings!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
