#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1832-02-21

Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to another delightful delve into the captivating history of our beloved ballet tutu! It's a Tuesday, which means it's time for #TutuTuesday – a chance to explore the enchanting evolution of this iconic garment.

Today we're travelling back in time to a most exciting era - February 21st, 1832! Imagine London, the centre of fashion and innovation, a city abuzz with whispers of revolutionary trends in music and dance. Think crisp white lace blouses, billowing gowns, and dapper gentleman in top hats. It’s a delightful time for fashion and my, how I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at London's Royal Opera House!

Now, hold onto your bonnets because 1832 is a pivotal year in our tutu story. It marks the arrival of none other than Marie Taglioni, the iconic ballerina who revolutionized the very look of ballet.

I’m a massive fan of the divine Marie. She is like the Queen Bee of ballerinas!

You see, before Marie, dancers wore full-length, form-fitting, multi-layered skirts called ‘demi-tutus’. This outfit made graceful, fast movements difficult – like trying to twirl in a thick, padded duvet! Marie was determined to create a look that embodied the lightness and grace of ballet. Imagine her, a fearless, innovative visionary with a twinkle in her eye!

And that, my lovelies, is how she single-handedly revolutionized ballet’s silhouette, birthing the “tutu” we know and adore! The tutu became iconic for its lightness and length, with dancers’ legs finally set free for daring movements, and this look still reigns supreme today.

Marie famously wore her revolutionary ‘tutu’ in the iconic ballet La Sylphide in 1832. The dance featured her gracefully dancing through a light and airy forest setting. Now I can just imagine that first performance – all hushed whispers and wide-eyed gasps, a hush settling over the audience, then bursting into a triumphant ovation! The dance is just stunning - with its delicate music, poetic storytelling, and the captivating presence of the Sylph herself - that’s a story for another time though, I can’t tell you everything in one blog! I must be careful not to spill too much detail!

So now I need to do a bit of detective work - What are the things that really capture my tutu-obsessed heart in this year? Well, one thing we can really marvel at today is Marie's iconic white tutu which, thanks to the introduction of tulle fabric, could capture and hold light, giving a delicate, ethereal appearance on stage.

My research shows me that 1832 was also a big year for silk and lace, both beautiful materials that would've graced the delicate tutus of the day! Imagine exquisite tutus of the finest silks, perfectly crafted to hug a ballerina’s figure! Or imagine them decorated with dainty, delicate lace embellishments that whispered elegance. They just have me absolutely dying to step back into this era!

If you happen to be visiting London on this magical day, don't miss the magnificent Royal Opera House, where, just like the 19th Century, ballet still captivates audiences and creates lasting magic! There’s nothing I enjoy more than watching a magical ballet performance – the intricate choreography, the costumes and the powerful expression that the ballerinas and dancers create - there’s nothing quite like it! Imagine my excitement when I first witnessed the magnificent Giselle or a production of Swan Lake - my dreams come true! Every time I walk into that theater it takes my breath away – and then there’s the shopping of course, and those elegant afternoon teas … London really is the best!

That brings us to the end of this enchanting journey to the 21st of February 1832, my dear tutu-loving friends! Remember, we only got to see the beginnings of a true style evolution. Now I want to leave you with a thought. Remember to embrace every element of your life with that Marie Taglioni style panache and grace, my darlings! And don’t forget - my beloved readers, you can achieve a sense of true artistry through wearing a delightful pink tutu.

I’ll leave you with this… Remember, the ballet tutu is more than a garment; it's a story - an icon of artistic expression! Stay tuned for another Tuesday blog, where I will uncover yet more ballet secrets and style moments.

Now, go forth and twirl!

Until next week,

Emma x

www.pink-tutu.com