#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1836-01-05

Oh darling, it’s Tuesday again! You know what that means… Ballet Tutu History Time! This week, we're hopping on the choo choo and zipping through time to 1836. Hold onto your bonnets, darlings, because the fashion scene in this era is quite the sight!

For my dearest #PinkTutu fans who haven’t been following along on my little journey through time, Emma's Ballet Tutu History Blog is my way of taking you, my darlings, on a glamorous trip through time to celebrate the magical history of the ballet tutu! I'm Emma - your very own tutu-clad guide – all the way from Derbyshire. And, as I’m sure you already know, I have an absolute passion for everything pink and everything tutu! I adore all kinds of performances; the magical lights, the beautiful dancers, and the costumes – especially the sparkly, pouffy tutus, you know they are the stars of the show! But there's something about that twirl…something magic, about the way the fabric flows and catches the light.

Speaking of magic, I can't help but feel my favourite time travel spells are working perfectly again today, because I’m sitting right here in the centre of Paris! Oh, Paris in the 1830s… how delightful! The fashion here is exquisite. Imagine rows of charming boutiques overflowing with silk, velvet, and the most elegant laces! They’ve even got those beautifully impractical crinolines – they are so grand!

And you just can't mention Parisian fashion without acknowledging the Grand Théâtre de l’Opéra, darlings! It’s simply the grandest, most divine opera house I've ever seen! And oh my, the opulent decorations, it’s enough to make you swoon! I’m thrilled, just absolutely thrilled to see where it all began! I just love ballet. Of course, I also love all things fashion - and, as any real aficionado of dance knows, those tutus have changed so much! To understand why tutus are the way they are now we have to peek back into history… right to this special date in 1836, which is a little bit surprising. Let’s dig deeper!

Let’s take a peek at ballet back in 1836. You see, 1836, dear reader, was actually the end of the Romantic ballet era. The “era of the ballerina”, as we might call it, had gone through several transformations, leading up to 1836 when… oh, you’re just going to love this…. The ballerinas of that era stopped wearing corsets! Gone were those restrictive contraptions that once limited movements. *Can you imagine? The sheer freedom! It really does feel a lot like a “New Age” of dance is starting, with a focus on grace and athleticism! They’re really embracing those airy tutus. I wonder… Could this be why there is a growing interest in what they’re calling the Romantic tutu?

Now, you see, that “Romantic tutu” we just talked about… it is really becoming all the rage - all thanks to Marie Taglioni! Oh, Marie, what a remarkable woman! Think about her, darlings: a woman with incredible artistry and technical talent. Not only is she a talented dancer but an incredible innovator. You just can’t discuss the “Romantic” era of ballet without mentioning her. Her genius? To me, she seems like a little bit of an original when she shuns the standard big skirt-like tutus – she goes for something more modest and something much more fluid. And you see… this is a major change! She created the tutu we know today!

And, honestly, I'm quite enchanted by the Romantic tutu myself! Imagine layers of ethereal tulle that flow gracefully and lightly… all in pink, of course! (Yes, darling, a bit more modern, don’t you think?) This kind of tutu shows all of the elegance of movement, as the ballerina effortlessly dances with such grace and delicacy. This era seems less about making the costume look fantastic and more about the ballerina and her dance as the art itself… a truly stunning sight, indeed!

Oh, and, just so you know, in 1836… we had a big, dramatic moment in French ballet history! A dancer* by the name of Jules Perrot, he is creating quite a *stir, by performing the role of La Sylphide with… the *first ever Romantic tutu. What a delightful innovation! And he's known as the "pioneer of ballet"! How very exciting! I have a feeling this is the beginning of a new style… with ballerinas floating like fairies around the stage, and dancing on their tiptoes! Oh, this is so dramatic and so thrilling!

It was in 1836, just a little while back in historical terms, and a major turning point in how the ballet and its tutus were being interpreted. That Romantic tutu of Marie Taglioni - It totally transformed the look of ballet from serious and dramatic… to light and free, to emphasize that graceful ballet dance we all love *today. *Imagine how exciting it must have been to be present at the premiere of this ballet back in 1836! I *wish I could have gone and seen La Sylphide and its famous tutu back then. Maybe I will get to travel to 1836 again. Oh, what I’d give to be dancing on stage in that tutu… wearing my own lovely pink! Oh my goodness… I've got to share a picture on my social media! Time for a #TutuTuesday photoshoot!

This morning, I had the most adorable breakfast in a tiny café. They have these lovely little biscuits called "macarons" that just melt in your mouth. They're sweet and powdery, so decadent. Oh, but the very best thing I’ve experienced here in Paris are the tea salons! Isn't it simply charming? A beautiful room, filled with sunlight, gorgeous women chatting with their friends - just like in my own era – but with a hint of sophistication! You can feel the fashion here. Every person has a special way of posing, a tilt of the head… oh, and a whisper! All those whispers. And the ladies! The exquisite bonnets with ribbons and feathers - such glamour. Oh my! Maybe it's a bit more extravagant than my world back in England, but just a little bit fancier… a touch more elegance and grandeur. It really does make one feel as though one has been transported back in time to an era of extravagant tea salons and graceful ladies posing as elegantly as a ballet dancer. It feels as though I must wear my ballet shoes, just to truly appreciate this atmosphere! I can see a perfect place here in Paris for Emma's Pink Tutu Boutique, my darlings.

Speaking of ballet and tutus, darlings, I do wonder what will become of this Romantic era of the tutu! Maybe one day they will develop something new. Maybe we’ll even see pink incorporated more… Pink and Romantic! How lovely it would be to see ballet dancers in *shades of pink. Perhaps a more *dainty style more suited for a romantic ballerina like myself? The possibilities for tutus in pink are endless… After all, a little bit of pink will always make ballet even more enchanting, don't you think? Do you think that pink tutus will become popular *one day?* Do share your thoughts on pink in the comments section! I love hearing your ideas. And remember to share your #TutuTuesday posts on social media. Spread the pink love!

Well, darlings, I'm going to head back to my own time now. I do have a performance tonight, and it must be *pink! I’ll be back here on Tuesday, to bring you more ballet tutu history. Oh, but remember… every day is tutu day, darling! Keep it *pink, keep it pretty, keep it fun! Until next time! XOXO Emma