Hello darlings!
Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday adventure! I'm your favourite tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, and today, I'm whisking you off to the grand world of ballet in 1835. As a devoted tutu fanatic, nothing thrills me more than unearthing the history of our beloved, frilly friend!
This is post number 175, and believe me, it's been a whirlwind journey through the ages of ballet fashion. I've danced in silks and satins, ruffled and flounced through the 1700s, and twirled my way through the golden era of Romanticism. It's been a magnificent adventure, funded by my performances at grand theatres all around the world. (My latest performance, at the Palais Garnier in Paris, was just divine, with the most exquisite emerald velvet backdrop – imagine it! 😍).
But today, my lovelies, we're focusing on a pivotal moment in tutu history, the year 1835, which brought a crucial shift in the way ballerinas graced the stage. Picture it, London, the beating heart of the theatrical world, and Marie Taglioni is about to change the game...
Now, before I dive into this glorious historical nugget, let's be honest – what better way to travel back in time than in a perfectly pink, frothy tutu? I paired mine with a dainty white bodice, the silhouette as delicate as a butterfly. The streets of 1835 London were filled with horse-drawn carriages and gentlemen in top hats, making it rather challenging to get from my charming little flat to the theatre. But it's a small sacrifice for a fabulous tutu!
Anyway, let's get back to Marie Taglioni. The beautiful Marie was one of the first ballerinas to wear a tutu with a shorter length, and it became a complete sensation. Imagine – the swirling, light fabric, dancing above the floor, creating an illusion of ethereal flight!
Why did she do it, you ask? Well, the previous long tutus, which practically dragged on the floor, had hindered dancers, literally, from jumping and moving with the kind of freedom needed for the Romantic ballet. It was simply a case of wanting to dance without any cumbersome restrictions. Plus, let's be real – who doesn't look effortlessly graceful when wearing a flowing, shorter tutu?
1835 was a turning point for the dance world. The romantic period called for graceful and dramatic storytelling through movement, and Taglioni’s shorter tutu provided that perfect blend of lightness and sensuality.
Did you know, that shorter tutus helped free the female form, and, along with ballet's emerging status, became an emblem of artistic and societal change.
However, there's another, perhaps less-known fact that thrills me to my pink tutu core. This date, 1835.05.05, marked a glorious, early form of ballet shoes, designed by Charles Blasis. I've spent hours researching these delicate little marvels. They were the original dance footwear! The design was based on the simple leather slippers worn by male dancers. However, the real magic came with the creation of the pointe shoe– but more on that in a future blog post, darlings! 😉
To make a day in 1835 even more perfect, I spent some delightful time browsing London’s many fabulous stores. They were bursting with stunning creations - elaborate ball gowns, exquisite hats, and even some surprisingly modern styles that wouldn't be out of place on the catwalk today. Imagine that, history is full of fashionable surprises!
And guess what, my fellow fashionistas? I found the most gorgeous silk fabric, just waiting for me to transform it into a beautiful pink tutu! Imagine me waltzing across a cobbled London street with my fabric in hand – it was a moment I won't ever forget.
Speaking of waltz, it was also quite popular around 1835! In fact, my very own grand aunt, Alice, had a special "waltzing dress." Just think of that! Imagine a graceful whirl in a delicate, tulle masterpiece – sheer romanticism!
The dance halls and salons were abuzz with energy. The waltzing sound was everywhere! As the evening wore on, I watched ladies and gents, twirling, swirling, laughing and whispering... Such lovely scenes of grace, light and romanticism!
Oh, the joy of time travelling and witnessing the evolution of our beloved ballet and fashion history! It's a real treat to be a ballerina in the time of graceful silhouettes and exquisite designs.
But for now, my sweet dears, it's time for me to whisk back to the present! You know, to create some new, beautiful tutus with that silk fabric I found and to continue on my journey to inspire every girl, young and old, to dance in a fabulous pink tutu! 🌸 Don't forget, we are all beautiful, and a tutu can be worn for every occasion. Don’t let your confidence stay in the wings - come on stage with us!
So until next week, keep swirling, keep dancing, and always, always remember: It’s #TutuTuesday!
See you on pink-tutu.com next week for more fashion history, beautiful ballet insights and all things pink.
Lots of Love, Emma xx
