#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1834-07-15

Bonjour, my lovelies!

It's Emma here, your favourite tutu-obsessed time traveller, ready to whisk you away to a very special Tuesday! Today we're leaving the glitz and glam of the present behind and stepping into the magical year of 1834, right into the heart of the Parisian dance scene! Why this date? Well, it marks a moment that led directly to the glorious tutu we know and adore! Think swirling layers of tulle, a dash of pink (of course), and a whisper of history – all of this and more await!

Let me set the scene: The air crackles with excitement. I'm standing backstage at the grand Salle Le Peletier, the epitome of Parisian elegance and sophistication, clutching my latest pink tutu purchase (the frills are divine, and the bows... just wait!). In just a few minutes, I'll be witnessing a spectacle that will shape the future of dance. Today, I'm seeing Marie Taglioni, the ethereal prima ballerina assoluta, take centre stage.

Why's she so special? She’s the darling of the Parisian theatre scene, renowned for her elegance, light footsteps, and impossibly graceful jumps. And – drumroll please – it's on this stage, under the gaslights of 1834, that Taglioni first wore a revolutionary, barely-there skirt – an ancestor of the iconic tutu!

Can you imagine the gasp, the awe, the murmurings of “Magnifique!” and “Quel tourbillon!" as Taglioni glided onto the stage in that revolutionary skirt, barely longer than a petticoat, the material swirling and cascading like a summer’s day? No longer was the dancer burdened with heavy, cumbersome skirts that hindered their movements. The light, ethereal garment allowed the dancers to showcase their graceful, ethereal, movement, bringing them closer to heavenly sprites, free from earthly limitations!

For me, this is where the history of ballet fashion gets REALLY exciting! Because with Marie Taglioni’s groundbreaking fashion statement, the era of the ballet tutu had truly begun. It was a movement as inspiring and breathtaking as Taglioni’s choreography. The ballerina was finally set free!

Before her, ballerinas were encased in a whirlwind of fabric, hindering the dynamic jumps and expressive moves. But now, we're talking a revolution of style, a revolution in the freedom of movement, a celebration of beauty that reached the highest artistic level!

Imagine the whispers, the murmurs, the ooh la las as audiences gasped and looked at each other in shock. A sense of amazement that only ballet could inspire ! Think of the Parisian fashionistas scrambling to capture this new vision in sketches and engravings, so that the magic of Taglioni’s moment could live on! This new style sparked the beginning of a new aesthetic, and the influence that ballet would have on high fashion going forward.

Think back to the previous era’s overly restrictive costumes. They resembled bulky, almost burlesque dresses, more suited for ballroom dancing, rather than the lighter and graceful steps of ballet. But with Taglioni’s arrival on the scene, everything changed. The freedom that this new skirt provided allowed ballet to be more beautiful and more expressive.

It’s a bit like seeing an art exhibition of exquisite paintings, except here, the artist is a ballerina, and the painting is in movement, her flowing form a testament to both her skill and the era's changing fashion aesthetic. That new aesthetic would eventually morph into the ballet tutus we know and love, so full of swirling tulle, elegant ribbons, and an array of fabulous colors (my pink ones, of course, being my absolute favorite!).

However, a quick mention for the romantics who think that Taglioni’s short skirt wasn’t exactly a tutu: That’s true! In 1834, her attire would have been seen as something truly innovative – a “revolutionary skirt” rather than a classic tutu.

The traditional ballerina tutu as we know it today, a full-blown tutu, with layers of tulle that could reach almost the dancer’s head – would only be born much later in the nineteenth century. It was a gradual transition, the skirts growing shorter over the years until they were eventually replaced by multi-layered tulle.

So here’s to you, Marie Taglioni! May we all forever be inspired by your boldness and your daring style.

This trip to 1834, a journey into ballet history that has been so full of beauty and drama. Don’t forget, I’ll be here next week to whisk you all back through time again on Tutu Tuesday!

I’ll be exploring a very special year that changed the course of ballet. I can’t tell you all yet which date, but let me assure you, it’ll be full of thrills, romance, and pink. Until then, make sure your tutus are ready for all your swirling, dancing adventures.

Bisous!

Emma

P.S. Did you know, Marie Taglioni, like most ballet dancers in those days, travelled across the continent by train. And that the railways were an absolute revelation? Imagine being able to zip between the major cities with so much ease and elegance! It felt so revolutionary and progressive for the times, just like those innovative tutus.

P.P.S. For any fashion fans, I strongly suggest checking out a ballet performance soon. There’s nothing like it. See for yourself how ballet can be both graceful and dramatic. I especially like the more modern ballet pieces where the dancers push the boundaries of expression through a daring mix of costumes, lighting, and choreography. I recommend heading to your local theater to get your ballet fix, it can really lift your spirit!

P.P.P.S Keep those pink tutus at the ready! The more of you wearing them in the street or in the theater, the closer we get to spreading the love of pink across the world! Remember – ballet is for everyone. You don’t need to be a ballerina to appreciate the beauty and elegance of this graceful art form!