Hello my darling tutu-lovers! It's your favourite pink-obsessed, time-traveling ballerina, Emma, here, ready to take you on another trip through the captivating history of the tutu! This week, we're waltzing back to 9th June 1835, a date brimming with Parisian chic, dramatic flourishes, and…wait for it… a revolutionary tutu!*
This is Post Number 180 in my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog, found every week at www.pink-tutu.com - the place where you can dive deep into the world of tulle and twirls! It's been quite a journey so far, filled with amazing performances, stunning costumes, and endless inspiration for all my fellow tutu-wearers (and anyone who wants to wear a tutu, wink wink!).
To get me here, to this date in time, I recently wowed a London audience with a thrilling performance of Giselle, complete with the quintessential billowing white tutu (I might have even thrown in a few pink embellishments!). My costume was so captivating it even prompted a donation to my little "Time Travel Trust Fund." After all, a girl's gotta have some shillings to fund her tutu-loving expeditions, right?
This time, the destination was Paris, oh-la-la! The very name makes me swoon! In 1835, this city was brimming with artistic and social change. And while we don't yet have the flamboyant, full-length tutus that I adore, this period was instrumental in crafting a new, more fluid and dynamic form. The focus was on creating a silhouette that not only moved beautifully on stage but also revealed the dancer's incredible strength and athleticism.
And now for the big reveal! On the 9th June, the beautiful Marie Taglioni, the reigning queen of ballet, was making waves with a brand new creation – the Romantic tutu! This creation is truly remarkable. It was shorter than previous, restrictive, bell-shaped skirts, revealing her delicate legs and allowing for greater movement. Just imagine…grace and poise elevated to new heights with every leap, twirl, and arabesque! It was a visual masterpiece!
Now, let's imagine the scene: The Parisian theatre is abuzz with excitement, the crowd expectant. Marie emerges onto the stage, adorned in this beautiful new design – it was a white (oh yes, I know it's not pink sigh but hey, I'll take it! This is a monumental historical moment for the tutu!). Her lightness is stunning, a visual representation of romantic and ethereal ideals. Talk about fashion that inspired the world!
You see, darling tutu-lovers, the tutu was not just about clothing, it was about defining a new style of ballet – romantic ballet! This style emphasized the female figure as a being of pure beauty, grace, and artistic expression, a stark contrast to the bolder and more dramatic movements of the era before. And the tutu became the quintessential symbol of this new art form, just like a magnificent pink tulle masterpiece for our times!
The story of the tutu is woven with fashion, history, art, and so much heart. Just imagine the energy, the emotions, the stories contained in each layer of tulle, the elegance in each sweep, and the excitement in every twirl! The romantic tutu sparked a movement. A dance that wasn’t just about grand gestures, but about storytelling with every flutter and pirouette.
Just thinking about this era makes me want to put on my favourite pink tutu, even if it is slightly shorter than the current trends! Who knows, maybe a little dash of pink would be just the right touch to add a little more flair to this romantic period piece! I could be starting a whole new fashion movement, hmm?
Anyway, my darlings, you know how I love to bring this history alive for you! But my inspiration doesn't stop at the stage! This romantic movement wasn't just confined to the theatre. It sparked fashion trends! Women all over Europe started sporting the graceful silhouette of the tutu – in everyday wear! Just imagine, a slight touch of tulle in their attire! I imagine women swirling through gardens, gracefully stepping off carriages in tulle creations! It was an era brimming with sartorial creativity!
This romantic tutu trend did involve some compromises! I’m talking about a serious lack of pink. As an avid tutu-lover, you can imagine how frustrating that must be. It’s practically unheard of in this time. There are rumors, whispers of delicate rose hues adorning some extravagant creations, but it's nothing like what I imagine (a whole outfit covered in glorious pink, oh darling! But maybe in future trips we'll get there! The dream is real, I can feel it!).
Despite this lack of pink, the 1835 romantic tutu was groundbreaking for the stage! It freed up movement and became a crucial part of the evolution of ballet. We have so much to thank Marie Taglioni and all those designers for – those brave souls who dared to be different and pushed the boundaries of ballet, opening doors for so many wonderful ballerinas and inspiring the incredible tutus we see on stage today.
This date holds a special place in my heart - the romantic tutu was a real turning point! If I could grab one of those stunning, white, tulle creations I saw at the Paris opera house and turn it pink with a snap of my fingers… ah, but darling, a time-traveling ballerina has standards, you know!
That's all for today, darlings. And as always, do take your favourite pink tutu for a spin, tell all your friends to put theirs on too, and remember, every twirl makes the world a little more pink and a lot more fun!
I'll catch you next Tuesday! Until then, keep those tutus swirling!
Love,
Emma
