Bonjour mes amies! It's your favourite Derbyshire lass, Emma, back with another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History.
Today we're heading to the city of love, Paris, for a whirlwind exploration of fashion, theatre and, of course, the history of tutus! And it's all in honour of a very special date: September 18th, 1832.
Why so special, you ask? Well, dear readers, this day saw the première of a truly revolutionary ballet, La Sylphide!
I've just stepped off the train from London - oh, I do love a good train journey, and a First Class carriage is simply divine! I even managed to snag a little reading time with my favourite fashion magazine, 'Le Petit Journal des Dames'. Paris is just bursting with stylish energy, the air practically humming with the latest trends. But don't think for a moment that we're talking about these dreary, 'practical' outfits! This is Paris in 1832, the era of romance, elegance, and flowy gowns that just beg to be twirled!
But before we dive into the sartorial splendor of the era, let's go back to that special day in the theatre... La Sylphide, you see, changed the whole game. Before then, ballerinas were typically swathed in long, restrictive skirts, not conducive to graceful movements. But then, Maria Taglioni, a legendary ballerina, arrived on stage with a dress unlike anything the audience had ever seen.
Imagine it, dear readers: A shimmering white gown, practically transparent, flowing like the whispers of the wind, bare arms, and a* simple bodice. This, my friends, is the genesis of the tutu as we know it! *La Sylphide wasn't just a ballet, it was a fashion revolution! The gown's airy design, the shorter length revealing the dancer's legs - it all paved the way for the expressive, graceful movements we now associate with ballet.
Fashioning a Dream:
I can only imagine the sheer excitement as the audience saw Maria Taglioni flit across the stage in that beautiful white dress. The delicate wisp of fabric made her appear weightless, like a creature of the air! Imagine, ladies, dancing so freely, without the restrictions of long, heavy gowns! Talk about liberation!
I just can't help but imagine all the whispers after the show - "Did you see her gown? So light! So beautiful!" And then, all the young ladies flocking to the dressmakers to ask for something just like it! This is fashion, ladies! It's not just about looking good, it's about making a statement. And Taglioni, she did just that. She made a statement for freedom, for grace, for the power of women in movement!
Tutu-ing Through the Ages:
La Sylphide didn't just give birth to the tutu, it birthed an entire ballet fashion movement! And it's something we can still feel the echo of today! Over the decades, the tutu evolved, becoming shorter and tighter, more flamboyant, more... well, more 'tutu'! And don't forget, all the colours! The tutu is no longer just about airy lightness, it's also a canvas for showcasing personality and expression. And don't get me started on the feathers and rhinestones... sheer elegance!
The Victorian era brought a wave of more structured, bell-shaped tutus, adding even more drama to ballet. The dancers, especially ballerinas, are veritable goddesses, floating on the stage, dressed in their tulle finery!
I just can't resist! Let's go on a little shopping spree to see what the latest tutus are all about. And just you wait, we're gonna make this Tuesday a tutu-filled extravaganza! We'll pop into a little Parisian shop specializing in fine ballet apparel, oohing and aahing at all the tulle and feathers! Oh, to imagine a world full of pink tutus - my dream!
Pink is the Perfect Hue for Tutu:
Speaking of pink, let's face it - it's the perfect colour for tutus! Just like those shimmering pink diamonds you find in fancy jewellers, a pink tutu just takes your breath away! It radiates such charm, innocence and loveliness - it just makes you want to twirl, twirl, twirl! Pink, it embodies joy, it embodies passion, it embodies all things feminine and fabulous!
But remember, dear readers, it’s not just about the colour or the design - it's about the expression, the passion, the emotion that the dancer conveys. The tutu is more than just an article of clothing - it’s a powerful symbol of artistry, grace and freedom.
And with that, dear readers, I leave you to imagine yourselves floating through the air, encased in your own personal pink cloud of tulle, twirling, pirouetteing, and living your best, most fabulous life. I'll see you all next Tuesday for another blast from the past and some more thrilling Tutu Tales! And don't forget to keep those tutus spinning, ladies! #TutuTuesday
See you soon!
Emma xx
