Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to another fabulous Tuesday! Today, we're taking a trip through time to explore the origins of our beloved ballet tutu. This week, my magical pink tutu and I are stepping into a carriage, (although I do wish we could take a train, wouldn't that be simply divine?) and journeying all the way back to February the 3rd, 1835.
I've recently performed a most delightful ballet in Vienna - The Sylphides, an enchanting ballet full of airy grace and dreamy music. It got me thinking - the tulle, those glorious swathes of airy, flowing material that I swish and twirl in... they have a fascinating history, don't they? It all began back in the Romantic era, the period of delicate dances and sweeping emotions! It’s a time that truly sparks my inner ballerina!
This particular date, 1835-02-03, marks a fascinating day in ballet history. It wasn't a day filled with grandiose debuts or glittering premieres. No, this day saw a quiet but pivotal shift. This was the day Marie Taglioni, one of the most celebrated dancers of her time, stopped wearing her infamous "tutu à la grecque". Now, that doesn't sound too exciting, does it? But hold on to your feather boas, my dears!
That 'tutu à la grecque' was no ordinary tutu! Imagine, if you will, a skirt reaching the ground, so long and sweeping it actually restricted movement! Not ideal for twirling and leaping, you must agree! This was a much more graceful style of dancing – almost as if the dancers were gliding on clouds. A ballerina's skill wasn't judged on leaps and pirouettes back then. The movement was slow, gentle, a poetic expression, so the long, elegant gown, inspired by ancient Greek chitons, was the perfect sartorial expression of that movement.
But Marie Taglioni, she was a revolutionary. And even revolutionary ballerinas like Marie crave a little more… movement. Ahem, she felt constricted! Can you imagine trying to execute a pirouette in such a weighty, restricting costume? You wouldn't even see the magical artistry of her feet!
So what happened? Well, dear readers, she did what any bold, brilliant, trendsetting ballerina would do – she unveiled a daring, revolutionary… shorter tutu! Oh yes! And oh, what a sensation it caused! Imagine the gasp, the chatter, the sheer shock of the audience as Marie's elegant, delicate ankles were visible for the very first time. Now, just think of the sheer brilliance of seeing that line, the elegant trajectory of the foot, the fluidity and artistry, which a long dress hid so effectively.
So, 1835-02-03, is a truly landmark day, a day that not only redefined how ballet dancers dressed but also redefined how we moved!
So let's raise a toast to Marie Taglioni, a pioneer who knew exactly what looked most magnificent on stage. And just think how much more accessible she made the art of dance. Can you imagine her soaring across the stage in that floor-length skirt, looking like a glorious feather? I think not!
Now, what about us? Are we brave enough to bring back the “tutu à la grecque” and channel our inner Roman goddess? Hmm, maybe not. Perhaps just a gentle swish of a tutu à la Marie Taglioni is the perfect expression of ballerina elegance! 😉
What did you love about this week's #TutuTuesday, my loves? Let me know! Remember to pop by www.pink-tutu.com each Tuesday for another dose of historical tutu-tude!
Oh! And while I’m thinking about it, do let me know your favourite historical ballerinas. It’s a bit of a toughie, even for me!
Until next time! Remember - keep it twirly and wear pink! 💗
Love,
Emma x
