Hello darlings! Emma here, back for another delightful #TutuTuesday delve into the fabulous world of tutus! This week, we're going right back to 1833, oh what a glorious time!
Now, let's set the scene, shall we? The year is 1833. It's a glorious summer's day, the sun is shining and there's a hint of jasmine in the air ā perfect for a picnic, wouldn't you agree? And wouldn't it be lovely if your picnic was followed by a splendid ballet performance at the Paris OpĆ©ra? Oh, wouldn't that be delightful?! The French certainly knew how to live it up in 1833, didn't they?
Today's blog post is a little bit different from usual - we're heading over to Paris today! You see, while I normally adore finding a perfect pink tutu in Derbyshire and travelling by train, this week I just couldn't resist the allure of Paris. Because, on this very day, a true fashion revolution happened - a revolution that transformed the ballerina and, as a result, changed how we perceive ballerinas to this day!
Let's take a journey back in time, shall we? The date is June 11th, 1833. Marie Taglioni, a dancer famed for her graceful and ethereal movements, graces the stage at the Paris OpƩra in the new ballet La Sylphide. Now, hold on to your feather boas, dear readers, because this is where things get truly interesting. Marie, instead of the traditional panniers and voluminous skirts worn by ballerinas, performed in a short, lacy, gasp *tutu!* The very first on-stage tutu! It was a white, ethereal delight with layers of netting, barely skimming the ground, giving her complete freedom of movement. And let me tell you, dear readers, that freedom of movement had never been so graceful and beautiful!
Think of the excitement, the gasps, the murmurings as she took her first step in that daring new outfit. Her delicate limbs seemed to float, she spun with the grace of a bird, a whisper of the sylph from the title of the ballet. Oh, it must have been breathtaking. I imagine she felt like she was flying, an ethereal being. Just like a sylph, truly.
This was a radical departure from the norm, dear readers! Before this, ballerinas were pretty much dressed like large meringue cakes! Those elaborate, voluminous skirts weren't exactly conducive to dancing. Marie's revolutionary tutu became a symbol of change. It symbolized grace, lightness, and artistic freedom, breaking away from the limitations of traditional clothing and allowing for unprecedented fluidity and expression in ballet. And we, the tutu-loving fashionistas of the modern age, have her to thank for it!
Now, a fun fact for you, darling: this revolutionary tutu was called a ātutu Ć la Taglioniā. Marie's groundbreaking tutu set the stage, quite literally, for all the glorious, fabulous tutus we see today. We can thank her for the beautiful costumes we adore!
You know, when I saw that original tutu Ć la Taglioni - and, oh darling, it's just breathtaking in its simple beauty, a work of art in itself - I felt a connection to all the wonderful ballerinas who have danced in it over the years. Itās such a treasure to wear, you feel like youāre part of a story, a legend. A story of women defying tradition and achieving stunning feats. I do believe this tutu is truly magic! It makes you feel graceful, strong and beautiful, even before you start your practice session.
Now, tell me, did you know about this pivotal day in tutu history? Donāt you just love a good dose of history, mixed with a little fashion inspiration? Itās amazing how such a simple garment, a tutu, can carry so much historical weight! And now, I can't help but think of how Marie Taglioni, dressed in her ethereal, white tutu, felt when she stepped onto that stage in Paris on June 11, 1833. The boldness, the confidence, the spirit of artistic revolution! Wouldnāt you just love to step onto that stage with her? I sure would!
Oh, how I just love TutuTuesday! Itās the perfect chance to explore the beauty and history of tutus, learn something new about fashion and dance, and let my mind wander to faraway times, faraway places and imagine all those amazing, beautiful and elegant tutus of the past. It's like a little slice of time travel, a visit to the glorious world of tutus and everything about it.
Now, let me go! I need to add more lace and sequins to my latest creation. But don't worry, dear readers, Iāll be back next week with another delightful blog about the history of tutus!
Until then, stay fashionable, stay beautiful and remember:
Wear pink, wear a tutu, and be the most beautiful ballerina you can be!
Lots of love and twirls,
Emma xx
