Hello darlings! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, here for another dazzling #TutuTuesday! As you know, my obsession with the glorious tulle creation we all know and love is practically an encyclopaedia. 😉 And this week, we're taking a trip back in time, back to January 21st, 1834. A date which marks a rather momentous occasion in ballet history. But don't worry, it won't involve any fancy historical jargon – just tutus and sparkly magic! ✨
Now, you see, this particular date marks the première of La Sylphide, a ballet which, well, practically revolutionised how we think of ballerinas! This show, set in a dreamy, enchanting Scotland, wasn't just about the usual courtly dramas and romances. It was new. It was romantic! La Sylphide threw away all those big, heavy dresses that hindered the ballerinas.
You see, before this point, our dancers were literally swaddled in thick silks and petticoats – even for jumping and twirling! Can you even imagine?! 😱 Poor ladies probably ended up sweating more than a ballroom dancer on a hot summer's night.
Enter Marie Taglioni! This captivating dancer (who was absolutely gorgeous, by the way) and her clever, creative costume designer, made a dramatic decision: let's go minimal! They designed a flowing, diaphanous gown made of lightweight, gossamer fabric...and ta-da! The first true tutu! 🥳
This super-short little wonder allowed Taglioni to flit and spin like a tiny sylph! Imagine, graceful movements, the sound of tulle whispering around her as she leaps, a dance so ethereal it brought the audience to their feet in a frenzy of applause. (Even if some of the audience probably whispered their shock at the sheer audacity of a ballerina showing that much leg, whisper whisper). 🤫
Now, this first little tutu wasn't quite the classic, full-skirted design we associate with today. It was still rather long and didn't hug the hips quite the way the famous Romantic tutu would soon evolve to do. But, dear readers, that's where the magic of time comes in! 💫
A little bit of travel in my time-hopping tutu, and I find myself standing at the back of the auditorium at the Opéra in Paris (who doesn't adore Parisian ballet, by the way?). And this is the best part: La Sylphide was an instant sensation! 🎉
Every time this little marvel of a tutu twirled on stage, it captivated the audience. From then on, it was tutu madness, everywhere! 💕 The Parisian streets were flooded with the softest of pinks, the daintiest of colours. Fashionistas swooned at the beauty of a dress so soft, so flowing.
This romantic era of fashion embraced the soft and elegant. And you know, there was something very appealing to seeing a woman twirl, float, and even soar in a way that was both elegant and free!
And with each subsequent production, the tutu got shorter and lighter. Even more free! 😍
That first short skirt (a waist above anything the old, proper ladies of the time might consider modest, naturally!) was the beginning of a delightful revolution, dear readers. And not just in ballet – those extra few inches of leg showed up everywhere, in every fabric you can imagine! We can thank this little dance costume for changing how we look at femininity forever! 🥰
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for my new weekly post #TutuTuesday! I can't wait to take you on another journey through the dazzling world of tutus! Now, for some more of those sylph-like pirouettes - there are quite a few more Parisian shows to see, and some fabulous shops that I must absolutely visit! 💕
Oh, and remember! This date holds another fascinating secret – on the 21st of January 1834, the London Times reported the arrival of a beautiful swan. I think that means the elegant ladies were embracing nature's beauty and softness too, isn't it lovely? 💕 And to be honest, what is more graceful than a swan, wouldn’t you agree? 🦢
But until next week, I hope your tutu dreams are full of sparkly, airy dreams, too! 💫
With much love,
Emma
P.S.: Please don't forget to tell all your friends about my fabulous #TutuTuesday blog! The more tutus in the world, the more wonderful everything is!
