Welcome, my lovelies, to another #TutuTuesday! Today's topic is a little bit of history, and trust me, even those of you who are completely new to the magical world of ballet will find it fascinating.
Today, October 9th, we're going to journey back in time to 1832. Imagine this: I'm standing right in the heart of Paris, bustling with excitement. The scent of perfume and pastries floats in the air as I prepare for a truly spectacular performance at the Opera Garnier. Yes, this is where the magic happens, where the legends of ballet were born and nurtured.
What's so special about 1832? You may ask. Well, this is the year that the famous French ballerina, Marie Taglioni, made her grand debut in "La Sylphide", a groundbreaking ballet that set the stage (literally!) for ballet history as we know it.
Before “La Sylphide”, ballet tutus weren't really a thing. Can you believe it?! The ballerinas wore a long skirt made of stiff, heavy fabric – imagine trying to twirl in THAT! Thankfully, the "tutu" came along and revolutionised ballet. Now we have those light, airy, billowing tutus that allow ballerinas to soar and twirl with grace and elegance, leaving us in awe with each delicate movement.
Think about this: It's all because of Marie Taglioni, who not only revolutionised dance itself, she completely transformed the costumes!
"La Sylphide" – it's more than just a ballet, it's a turning point. It’s the first romantic ballet! A tale of a young Scottish man who is completely smitten with a forest fairy (La Sylphide), and she, bless her, chooses to follow him to the mortal world (it always ends badly with fairies!).
But, my dear tutu enthusiasts, imagine how brave this daring ballerina must have felt in her revolutionary costume. The white, flowing tutu, adorned with exquisite white ribbons and, wait for it... pink flowers! Talk about setting the stage for all the pink tutu loveliness to come.
The excitement around “La Sylphide” was, according to the whispers from the past, electrifying! The whole world was captivated, and Marie Taglioni became a star, a goddess, an inspiration to generations of dancers to come.
And me? I’m in Paris, wearing my dreamy, blush-pink, romantic, and fluffy tutu. Yes, it’s as heavenly as you can imagine, perfect for this extraordinary experience! Imagine all the delicious pâtisseries and a beautiful, fragrant Parisian café right by the stage. Isn't it perfect? Who knew history could be so exciting and utterly delightful?
I always say: “What would ballet be without tutus?” (Answer: it wouldn’t be ballet!).
I love travelling by train! It's so glamorous, I love seeing all the different parts of Europe. It allows me to soak up the beauty and culture of each city, to explore charming cafes, and find the most stunning, delicate fabric stores! I can't wait to show you some of the gems I've discovered!
As a ballet-obsessed traveller and vintage tutu lover, my passion is fuelled by the energy, art, and, of course, the tutus! It's been an unforgettable trip to 1832, and, as always, I feel utterly inspired by the extraordinary story of Marie Taglioni.
Don't forget to follow my blog on www.pink-tutu.com for my next #TutuTuesday. Tell your friends about the wonders of tutu history!
Until next week, darlings, twirl on!
Emma xx
P.S. Don't forget, the only rule is there are no rules! Embrace your inner ballerina!
