Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday! It's me, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma! 👋 This week we're heading back in time, hopping on a rather charming steam train, and landing right in the heart of 1835! Can you believe it, my dears? We're venturing into the world of the original tutu, back before the glorious explosion of the romantic tutu. 🤯
It's Tuesday 8th December, 1835, and I've just arrived in London, a bustling city filled with fashion and excitement, which reminds me a little bit of Derby. But with a whole lot more theatres! 🤩
Today's historical tidbit is about a ballerina named Marie Taglioni. She's not just any ballerina - she's the one who set the world of ballet on fire. You've probably heard of her, my dears. She’s legendary for her iconic role in La Sylphide and, in fact, it was La Sylphide that revolutionized dance attire! Can you imagine that, the single most celebrated performance in ballet history sparking a fashion trend that would eventually lead to tutus? Absolutely fantastic! 🤩
I've spent the day wandering through the shops and oh, the delights! This is truly a time where fashion thrives. The dresses are a delight to the eye, delicate fabrics flowing beautifully - very feminine and stylish. You can see the spark of romanticism radiating from the fabric and style of all the outfits. But before La Sylphide, you see, ballerinas were decked out in voluminous and elaborate skirts, much like those worn by fashionable ladies. These costumes, while pretty, were heavy and restricting. Imagine dancing with all that extra material! 😅 They definitely hampered the grace and fluidity we adore in ballet.
Enter La Sylphide! ✨
In this performance, Taglioni's skirt was revolutionary. Imagine, a simple, diaphanous white dress, shorter than the fashion of the time. It was made from silk, with a layered design, allowing it to flutter and swirl around her like a cloud as she danced. It felt airy, free, and made for breathtaking movement. You see, she didn't want a heavy, constricting garment holding her down. It was a symbol of freedom, and femininity, of beauty without excessive embellishment. Just think of all the women's lives this revolutionized. She gave women dancers back their freedom to move, to soar through the air, to be graceful and light as feathers. 💖
Oh! I must tell you about something that makes me so excited! At the time, London is known for its exquisite porcelain shops, and today, I even saw a porcelain ballerina figurine at one! They’re still pretty simple in design compared to those that we know today, but just wait, dears, I’m sure we’ll see porcelain ballerinas develop as we travel through time, and they'll become truly elegant and amazing works of art. This period marks the beginning of the iconic and beautiful relationship between ballet and art! This is a very special moment for our ballet history. 🤩
What truly astounds me is the power of a single performance. It doesn't just tell a story; it shifts the very landscape of fashion, dance, and culture. Marie Taglioni's La Sylphide redefined ballet. Can you believe it? A dance ignited a fashion revolution, setting the stage for all the beautiful, flowing, delicate tutus that grace the stages of the world today! 🤩
Speaking of stages, dear readers, this evening I am off to the theatre! Can you guess what performance? Yes, you guessed it! La Sylphide. I simply cannot wait to witness it for myself. And then, naturally, it’s off to browse through the most fabulous fashion shops on Bond Street to discover some inspiration for future #TutuTuesday looks. ✨💖
But before I sign off, don't forget, you too can experience the joy of wearing a pink tutu! Just put on a little something, maybe your fanciest dress, maybe even some beautiful shoes, and add a splash of pink, whatever way you choose. And, don’t forget the tutu. 💕💖 You’ll see, a pink tutu can turn any ordinary day into something magical. 💖
Keep the tutu dreams alive!
Until next #TutuTuesday,
Emma 💖🩰
www.pink-tutu.com
(Post number: 206)
