Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu clad ballerina, Emma, back for another captivating journey through time, where history and tutus collide in a symphony of pink!
This week, our time machine takes us to Paris, France, on May 8th, 1838 - oh la la! As a little birdie just whispered to me, the Paris Opera is alive with excitement, the air buzzing with anticipation. Why? Because today, one of the most important dancers of the Romantic ballet era is about to grace the stage! Marie Taglioni, a ballerina so talented she could have stepped straight out of a fairytale, is preparing to perform in La Sylphide. This legendary performance, a true jewel in the ballet crown, captivated the hearts of Parisians (and everyone else in the know, of course!).
Now, you might be thinking "Emma, tutus? 1838? Tut... What?"
Well, darlings, it's true - those iconic fluffy masterpieces we associate with ballerinas were just beginning their grand ascent onto the ballet stage around this very time! Imagine that, our dearest tutus were actually pretty new! The late 1700s and early 1800s saw dancers still gracing the stage in crinolines, which, while impressive, were, let's just say, "rather a bit cumbersome." Imagine leaping and twirling in yards and yards of bulky fabric, no wonder their leaps were shorter! It was around the 1830s, with ballerinas like the ethereal Taglioni, that the transition began, with tights and skirts, the forerunners of our beloved tutu, taking their place on the scene.
Don't get me wrong, the 1830s wasn't quite the tutu paradise we know and love today, oh no! It was a more modest affair, a layered symphony of silk and tulle, delicately revealing just a glimpse of limb as dancers moved with a graceful lightness. Just think of how much more ethereal their dancing must have seemed with the billowing, fluttering layers. Like clouds dancing across the sky. Pure romance!
Let's imagine our tutu time traveller visiting Paris in 1838. A trip from my quaint home in Derbyshire on the train, stopping at Gare du Nord, then heading directly to the theatre for a mesmerising performance of La Sylphide. After all, the heart of a ballerina beats strongest in the theatre!
After the performance, an exciting visit to one of the finest dress shops on the Champs-Élysées. A haven for ladies of refined taste and lovers of exquisite fashion! They might even be lucky enough to find a special lace trim to embellish their own dress in the latest fashion. A new head-band would be absolutely divine! Wouldn't you just adore wearing the same styles as the stunning women on the opera stage? Of course, I'd be adding a dash of my own pink flare - you just can't escape the allure of a touch of pink, can you?
Speaking of pink, how about we indulge in a little vintage inspiration? Just imagine how splendid our tutus might have looked with the delicate touches of rose silk ribbons so popular in 1838! I think we're just a tad in love with those rosy nuances. A pink ballet shoe would look gorgeous peeking out from beneath the swirling skirt!
As our little time travel adventure winds down, let's remember that this period was the starting point of a truly fascinating evolution of the tutu. Imagine all the dances that came after La Sylphide! All the captivating ballerinas that followed in Marie Taglioni's footsteps. It's mind-boggling to consider the trajectory from those elegant first forays to the awe-inspiring tutus we wear and love today.
Don't forget to follow my tutu journey on Pink Tutu! Keep an eye out for more glimpses into the world of tutu history!
Don't forget to check back next Tuesday for another installment of #TutuTuesday. Until then, let's keep the spirit of dance, the love of fashion, and a dash of pink alive!
Love always, Emma x www.pink-tutu.com
