Welcome back, darling tutus! It's Emma here, your trusty pink-tutu-clad time traveller, and this week on #TutuTuesday we're heading way back to 1st May 1838, for a little peek at the beginnings of our beloved ballet tutus. Buckle up, lovelies, because it's going to be a whirlwind of a journey!
This is post number 331 on my little website, www.pink-tutu.com, where I talk about all things tutus and share my adventures as a tutu-obsessed time traveller. My goal is simple, darlings: get everyone wearing pink tutus! Why? Because tutus are simply divine, and they bring a touch of magic to everything.
I always hop on the train to reach these historical spots, and I have to say, the train journey back to the early 19th century was lovely. I met a delightful gentleman on board who actually told me he knew someone who had seen Marie Taglioni in "La Sylphide"!
But back to our story, darlings. The year 1838. Can you imagine a ballet world without our beloved tutus?
Well, back then, they didn't exactly exist. What dancers wore were these long, heavy, silk skirts - think of something more suited to a formal ballroom rather than a delicate dance. Now, those ladies were strong! Can you imagine spinning around in those things? They could give the fastest waltzers a run for their money!
And the ballerinas! They were so graceful and lovely, moving like they were flying. But imagine that amazing skill with an enormous skirt holding you back! You could have mistaken a stage performance for a dress rehearsal at the ball!
It all changed with the arrival of a legendary ballerina, Marie Taglioni, a real life ballet icon if you ask me! (Actually, don't even ask. I'm not taking no for an answer.) You could tell Marie loved the freedom of movement – something which the traditional skirts definitely did not allow for.
Now, 1838 is a pivotal date. That's the year Marie shocked audiences (and maybe even a few ball gowns!) by appearing in a groundbreaking costume: the 'tutu' - basically, a lightweight, multi-layered, and shorter skirt designed to allow ballerinas to leap and twirl like they had never twirled before. Just imagine! Free movement, free spirits. It's revolutionary.
It wasn't pink yet though, darlings! The colour then was white, almost like clouds floating on the stage. Such poetry in motion. Marie's daring new costume revolutionised ballet; she gave it wings and sent the whole dance world soaring! And from then on, it's been a real waltz into the history of the ballet tutu, with a constant evolution and refinement that has given us the stunning tutus of today.
As I've been waltzing through time today, I have to say it's quite difficult not to want to rush back and tell them all to add a little bit of pink to the mix! Think about it. It just looks so chic! It adds so much life! Why, it's the perfect hue to highlight the feminine grace of a ballerina. I’d probably even show them a couple of my own tutus. Why settle for one colour when you have so many stunning shades to choose from? A ballet show could be a real celebration of the colour palette - imagine an emerald green, or a sunshine yellow! I might just have to convince my future self to organise that time travel show...
I mean, why wouldn’t they embrace it? A bright pink tutu could easily lift the mood of a room, even a royal court! Plus, it adds so much cheerfulness and energy to even the most traditional setting. Think of all the smiles. And all the “awws!”
Right, I think we should celebrate a bit, darling tutus! A little song, perhaps?
The pink tutu, the pink tutu, how we love thee, we adore you On stage you float like feathers, in the theatre, we all want you And one day, perhaps you will see a pink tutu everywhere you go!
It's my mission, darling tutus! Make it happen!
For this week, my darling tutus, that's all. Don't forget, you can find my next #TutuTuesday blog on www.pink-tutu.com. Until next week, remember to live life in a pink tutu!
Your time travelling pink tutu pal, Emma
P.S. Don't forget to spread the word and let everyone know about my pink tutu dreams!
We can get the world in pink tutus together. 😉
