#TutuTuesday #189 #PinkTutu #BalletHistory #TimeTravellingBallerina
Bonjour, my lovelies! Emma here, your very own time-travelling, tutu-loving blogger from Derbyshire, ready to whisk you back through the pages of ballet history!
This week, my little pink ballet shoes have carried me all the way back to the 11th of August 1835, a date I couldn't wait to explore! As you know, dear readers, my heart flutters for all things ballet and particularly the enchanting tutu. But what were tutus like back then? Were they as fluffy and frilly as they are now? Well, let's embark on a fabulous journey to find out!
Imagine, darling readers, Paris, the heart of ballet. The year is 1835, and we find ourselves in the beautiful, grand Salle Le Peletier, the esteemed home of the Paris Opera. The air is electric, the chandeliers sparkle, and the scent of lilies hangs thick in the air. The stage is set for the evening's performance, and it is there, under the shimmering lights, that a brand-new ballet is making its debut - "La Sylphide", an enchanting piece set to a captivating score, created by a truly talented choreographer - Mr. August Bournonville.
Oh, but it was not the choreography that made this evening truly special. The dancers wore a new costume, designed by the talented Eugène Lami! These revolutionary new creations replaced the cumbersome, voluminous dresses and bodices of the past with something much more fluid and freeing. Gone were the constricting layers; they replaced them with light and airy white skirts and the beginnings of a style we now know and love - the tutu!
The story behind this dramatic fashion shift is as interesting as it is inspiring. You see, "La Sylphide" told the tale of a young man in love with a delicate sylph, a creature of air and light. The design had to reflect that lightness and the graceful movement of these celestial beings. Lami and the designer Maria Taglioni, sister of the ballerina who would wear this new dress in the debut of La Sylphide, used lightweight, flowing tulle fabric that moved as beautifully as the ballerinas themselves. It was quite revolutionary!
For years the ballerinas had to contend with heavy layers of fabric and corseted bodices that inhibited their movements, sometimes creating an effect that was anything but elegant. This new design, my darlings, liberated the dancer. They could finally move and express their artistry freely! This lightweight, airy costume was not only a fashion triumph, it paved the way for ballet's technical advancement, and marked a true turning point for ballet as we know it.
And that's not all! While we were in the bustling city of Paris, enjoying the opulence of the Palais Garnier Opera House, I discovered something extraordinary. The ballerinas who graced the stage were adorned with their own bespoke tutus! The designers were like masters of their craft! Imagine: the tutus were custom-made for each ballerina, meticulously fitted for their unique movements. There was a genuine understanding and love of the craft - from the length of the tutu, its layering, even the type of fabric used to the ribbons used to hold the tutu together! It's a far cry from the mass-produced designs of our present time, isn't it?
As I've wandered through the grand salons and elegant boudoirs of Paris during this magical visit to 1835, I couldn't help but notice that the "tutu" was not yet widely recognised by this name. But even in its early stages, its evolution is utterly captivating. From the earliest "tutu" designs made in a single layer of soft tulle with an ample, swirling movement, the tutu evolved through the 19th century to take different forms as different dance styles developed and inspired these artistic geniuses of dress making!
But just as we cannot forget the "tutu", my loves, we cannot forget the ballerinas, the true stars of the stage! One ballerina who stood out was Marie Taglioni, the embodiment of romantic ballet. A figure as elegant and as light as a sylph, she brought her role in "La Sylphide" to life with unmatched grace and artistry. To watch her dance is truly mesmerizing! It's no surprise that her portrayal captivated audiences and revolutionized the role of the female dancer in ballet.
But before I let the steam from my travel-worn boots dissipate and my thoughts turn to more contemporary fashion, my lovelies, I do have to give a quick mention to the Ballet at the Vienna Court. Yes, the imperial city! From Vienna to Russia, and then London, the ballet scene blossomed! New and exciting productions unfolded under the grand chandeliers of European cities! As fashionistas and connoisseurs, I felt the impact of the Parisian influences on fashion around Europe. It's no wonder that, at this point in history, Europe had an elegant look and flair to it, don’t you think?
Speaking of elegance, I think we've had a little too much of 1835 for today! But before I return to our modern age, remember to always wear pink, be brave, and believe in the magic of tutus. We'll meet again next week for a fabulous new Tutu Tuesday post!
Until then, darlings, keep twirling!
Emma xx
