Hello my lovelies! It's your favourite tutu-tastic blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday installment of my Ballet Tutu History blog!
This week, we're venturing back to the year 1834 - imagine, no iPhones, no Uber Eats, just gaslight and graciousness! Now, while it wasn't quite the tutu boom we see today, something truly magnificent was brewing - the ballet debut of the very first tutu!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we have December 2nd, 1834, to thank for this iconic garment! And, imagine this, it happened right here in the heart of Paris, that city of lights and romantic whispers, where dreams swirl and tutus twirl!
Now, you might be thinking, "Tutus? In 1834? How come? Thatâs soâŚVictorian!" Well, it's all thanks to the magnificent Marie Taglioni, the queen of Romantic Ballet, who first stepped onto the stage in a short, billowing, ethereal tutu â one which didnât follow the stiff, cumbersome fashions of the time.
It was a breath of fresh air, a whirlwind of elegance! Itâs all about freedom and movement, perfect for dancing those complex, expressive ballets, just like we see today. You canât say it didnât revolutionize ballet!
The Parisian Waltz
Speaking of revolutionary, imagine Paris in the 1830s. Imagine those elegant, charming balls. The chatter of society, the twinkle of chandeliers, the swoosh of silk gownsâŚand that scent of perfumed ladies â you can just picture it all, canât you?
Well, I must tell you â this is exactly what Marie Taglioni didnât want her tutu to resemble. Instead of a heavy, suffocating ballgown, she decided to give the world something different, a dance of freedom in a lightweight garment that captured the spirit of the times.
Instead of the structured gowns that mimicked grandma's tablecloth, Marieâs design had just enough fabric to hint at what lay underneath - creating an enchanting air of romance and graceful movement. This wasn't a "ball gown" that weighed a ton, but something light as air â a whisper of a garment. The impact of her tutu, as she waltzed onto that stage, was magnificent.
This, my dears, was not just a piece of clothing â it was a symbol! The freedom and the liberation it brought to ballet! It wasnât just a garment, but a story of beauty, strength and artistic vision â a beautiful vision, in pink, you might say, even if it wasnât actually pink, just yet!
Back To The Future of Tutu Design
Today, we may see all colours, from white, to blue, black, and even shimmering metallics â but this is a testament to that very first revolutionary moment! This short, billowing silhouette became the silhouette of classical ballet - the tutu. And look how far we've come, eh! The tutu is ballet, itâs an iconic part of dance, from those classical versions we see on stage in Covent Garden, to the ballet inspired tutus in the street and at shows.
Just imagine! From that original Paris debut all those years ago, this incredible, ethereal piece of clothing has inspired designers, audiences, and dancers worldwide! And, let's be honest, if thereâs a time Iâd love to be transported to â it'd be that time, the beginning of something big, magical and inspiringâŚwith all those dazzling dance moves and the gorgeous fashions of the period. It just looks so fabulous, wouldnât you say?
I might be biased, being a ballerina, a lover of dance, and a total tutu fanâŚ
A Blast From the Past with Pink, Of Course!
Of course, to commemorate this #TutuTuesday, I must say - today, as we celebrate this momentous date, I'm swirling my way through a lovely pink tutu, for the spirit of that 1834 Paris ballet! You might think me frivolous, my lovelies, but I see it differently: I see the beauty of pink! Just think about those gorgeous ballet slippers and costumes â those shades of pale, peachy pinks⌠the softness, the femininity! Whatâs not to love? Even though that first tutu was more likely to have been white, and probably made of white silk, it certainly doesn't stop me from putting my own special touch on this celebratory occasion â pink, of course, all the way!
After all, pink isnât just a colour â itâs an attitude - just as it is with ballet, isn't it? Grace, strength, femininityâŚwhat better way to say âLet's get this Tutu Party started!â
I'll be spending the rest of my week reminiscing over that Parisian moment in history - imagining Marie Taglioni in that first little tutu and all those elegant ladies with their fashionable styles. I will also be tutuing around Derbyshire, you might see me at the theatre (my fav place for all that gorgeous fashion!). Or you might see me shopping for pink, of course â we are in Derbyshire, so itâs a very âDerby and Joanâ kind of day! You can never have too many tutus, can you? (Though, if Iâm honest, my favourite store is in London, so I might be planning a train trip soon.)
And you never know, you might even find me in your local station in my most fetching tutu, making my own tribute to the ballet and its dazzling beginnings!
For all you tutu-loving fashionistas out there, stay tuned! Join me next week for more historical discoveries of all things tulle and twirling. Until then, remember, a little pink never hurts!
Your tutu-loving friend,
Emma
Emma has her own blog website - www.pink-tutu.com where she posts once a week every Tuesday about a different event or theme from ballet and fashion history using the tag #TutuTuesday, but Emma doesn't just stop there, she posts stories about her travels and she sells pink merchandise as well, all through her website.
