Greetings, fellow twirlers! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another installment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History!
As you all know, I'm absolutely obsessed with the history of the tutu. It’s a garment that has evolved so beautifully over time, reflecting the ever-changing nature of ballet and the way we perceive femininity itself. This week, we're hopping on the time travel train (because, let's face it, who doesn’t love a good railway journey in a fancy pink dress?) and journeying back to January 26th, 1836, to delve into the very beginnings of the tutu, a garment which would eventually inspire women around the world.
As we hurtle back through time, it’s exciting to think that the romantic, delicate tutu we know today – that swirling symbol of grace and artistry – was simply an idea waiting to bloom.
Back in the 1830s, ballet was quite different, my darlings. It was still heavily influenced by courtly dances with heavy costumes and intricate, long skirts, which made it incredibly difficult to move freely and gracefully. Imagine trying to execute a grand jeté with yards and yards of fabric trailing behind you! Not ideal, right?
This was where the legendary Marie Taglioni, a true star of her era and a veritable trailblazer for ballerinas everywhere, stepped onto the stage and changed everything. On January 26th, 1836, Marie performed in a stunningly innovative production of La Sylphide. It wasn't the choreography that stole the show - although, as I hear, it was incredible – but the revolutionary new costume: a short, knee-length skirt that, quite frankly, sent a shockwave through the ballet world. Think of it - a tutu that allowed her to express such freedom of movement!
The impact was astounding. Imagine, everyone in the audience had been used to seeing ballerinas cloaked in floor-length, swishing garments, and suddenly this petite vision in her gauzy white skirt takes to the stage with an air of lightness and grace the world had never seen before. The crowd was entranced. This simple change – ditching the heavy, long skirt – revolutionized how ballerinas performed. It allowed them to fly! This, my darlings, is the true genesis of the tutu as we know it!
While I'm not entirely certain whether Taglioni's groundbreaking tutu was fully made of tulle – this magical, delicate fabric came into being a little later - this bold creation ignited a revolution in costume design, paving the way for the tulle tutus that would define the ballets we love today.
Of course, after such a pivotal moment, the design of the tutu itself has continued to evolve and change over time, just like fashion! We’ve seen classic variations – from the romantic tutus with a generous billowing shape to the tight, fitted tutus that are popular for contemporary performances. Every change in style reflected a desire to express different kinds of movement and different kinds of stories through ballet.
As a true tutu aficionado, I can’t get enough of this evolution. Each style and length has its unique charm!
If you ever get the chance to catch a ballet performance, I urge you to pay close attention to the costumes. Each style reflects a specific era, character, or artistic vision, making it more than just a costume, but a way to experience the evolution of ballet itself.
And just imagine – if Marie Taglioni had not stepped on that stage with her new innovative skirt, the story of ballet – and the tutu! - would have been so different. So thank you, Marie Taglioni! Your daring leap for change, not just in your choreography, but in your fashion choices, inspired a whole new world of ballet movement. I still remember when I saw a performance of "La Sylphide" back in the 21st century! The feeling of weightlessness was a dream! I’d give my dancing shoes to travel back to that era and see it for myself.
So let’s all give a big twirl and a cheer for Marie Taglioni on this #TutuTuesday. Remember, we're all connected to a fascinating story of evolution through this exquisite piece of clothing! If you love tutus – as I know you do – join me in sharing the history of this incredible garment!
Stay twirling and fashionable,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
