Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back again for another #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of all things tutu-licious! This week, we're time-travelling back to 29th November, 1836, to uncover a fascinating little nugget of ballet history, and trust me, it involves some serious tutu-love.
Before we dive into the delights of 1836, just a quick hello to all my fabulous followers. Don't forget, I post a new blog every Tuesday at www.pink-tutu.com, packed full of tulle-tastic fun, ballet adventures, and fashion inspiration. Today I'm sporting my new, oh-so-sparkly hot pink tutu, paired with a velvet jacket I picked up on a recent shopping spree in Paris. It just screams 1830s chic!
Now, to 1836. If Iām honest, this era wasn't quite as flamboyant as we might imagine when it comes to the tutu, but bear with me, there were some groundbreaking developments happening behind the scenes.
For a start, can we please give a round of applause for Marie Taglioni? This beautiful Italian ballerina was the star of the ballet world back in 1836, and let me tell you, she had all the drama and elegance of a real life ballerina! She was known for her incredibly light and graceful movements, almost like she was floating across the stage, all thanks toā¦drum roll pleaseā¦the tutu!
This is where our little slice of ballet history comes into play. You see, Taglioni was a real revolutionary when it came to tutu design. Gone were the long, restrictive skirts of previous generations, replaced by a much shorter and more revealing style. This revolutionised how ballerinas could move on stage!
Imagine being a ballerina confined to a heavy, multi-layered skirt, then being able to spin and jump freely in a breezy, flowing tutu? Freedom for dancers and freedom for movement. Now thatās a cause for celebration!
Of course, in 1836, this style of tutu was not yet the perfectly poofed confection we know and love today. It was more of a lightweight, layered tulle skirt. A far cry from the impressive tulle creations of later ballet history. However, it was still a game changer and, in the spirit of today's #TutuTuesday, we need to acknowledge itās importance!
Taglioni was, in many ways, the OG tutu trendsetter, her movement on stage inspiring a new wave of lightness, grace, and (dare I say) a bit more āfeminineā aesthetic to ballet performance. Her influence on dance and the evolution of the tutu is undeniable, and, as a time-travelling ballerina myself, I must say a hearty bravo to her revolutionary fashion choices!
It's fun to think, even way back then, women were pushing boundaries and exploring new forms of expression in their dance and their fashion choices. They were carving a path for the elegant and inspiring styles of ballet we admire today, which we wouldnāt have had without these early forays into the world of the tutu!
To give you an idea of what the theatrical scene in 1836 looked like, imagine yourself in Paris, maybe sipping a delicate glass of wine at the theatre before a show. (Because even in 1836, it was always about the chic details!). Tonight, you could be witnessing one of Taglioniās celebrated performances. Picture this: the stage lights flicker on, the orchestra starts their melodic tune, and there she is - the epitome of graceful elegance - swirling and spinning in a tulle dream of a tutu, the very image of what it means to be a ballerina.
For the next week, when you put on your own tutu (and you definitely should!) remember Taglioni, remember her groundbreaking style, remember the beauty of freedom and movement, and remember that every tiny step we take on this journey towards the perfect tutu, is a step closer to fulfilling our lifelong dreams, and maybeā¦just maybeā¦the world will be full of tutus one day!
Until next Tuesday, my darling readers, go forth and twirl! Donāt forget to use the #PinkTutu on all your pictures and videos so I can see you and get inspired!
Yours in Tulle,
Emma
