Hello, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-obsessed time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another instalment of Ballet Tutu History!
Today's date, 23rd April 1839, is an especially exciting one! The world of ballet is bubbling with creativity, and while I can't say that a full-on pink tutu is exactly trending yet, there's a whiff of something magical in the air.
I just had to pop over to Paris, wouldn't you know it, the heart of fashion, for this trip. Why? Because it's all about Marie Taglioni, my darling, the undisputed queen of romantic ballet.
Let me tell you, seeing her glide across the stage at the Opéra de Paris wearing her exquisite white tulle skirt…pure enchantment! Now, I'll grant you, it's not a full-on tutu, like those we love so much today. More of a wispy, gossamer-like cloud that trails after her like a fairytale. But it's a pivotal moment, a peek into the evolution of the ballerina's costume and a move away from those rather frumpy floor-length skirts.
You see, my lovelies, until this period, ballerinas wore heavy, restrictive clothes designed to highlight a regal form rather than one that could truly express motion. Ballet was quite stiff and formal then, and costumes reflected that. The dance itself was like a courtly promenade rather than the expressive, emotional ballet we enjoy now.
But, oh my! Taglioni's appearance was revolutionary. It brought a whole new lightness, a sense of floating grace. Imagine a hummingbird flitting among flowers, delicate and enchanting, and that's what Taglioni looked like on stage. It made people sit up and notice the beauty of the danseur (a male ballerina, darlings) as well as the danseuse (the lady!).
So, to celebrate, I decided to step into my favourite tea shop (just a little boutique on the Champs-Élysées!) for a spot of tea, you see, followed by an afternoon at a salon to take in the local news and gossip. The air here in Paris is buzzing with talk of this incredible dancer, Taglioni. Her La Sylphide is all the rage, and even I had a hard time resisting shopping for a delicate, white, knee-length skirt (you know it will be fabulous with my pink boots!), inspired by this revolutionary fashion.
Oh, and don't forget my beloved pink tutu! The perfect outfit for a Parisian stroll to the Opéra de Paris. I can't resist, a little dance down the cobblestones while singing along to the street performers… it just makes me feel alive. And the smile on my face is simply infectious, if I do say so myself!
And that my dear friends, is how this wonderful world of the ballet continues to inspire me. It's a tale of creativity, of change, of beauty, and of joy.
Speaking of joy, why don't you embrace the tutu spirit? Have you tried on a pink tutu lately? I challenge you to slip one on this week, even if it's just for a twirl around your own living room! Let's all make the world a bit more magical, one pink tutu at a time!
I can't wait to tell you all about another glorious day in ballet history next week.
Until then, keep it tutu-licious!
Emma
*P.S. If you love this history blog, do visit www.pink-tutu.com. My friend, Millie, does all my IT and techie stuff, and I wouldn't be able to travel without her! *And don't forget to keep a look out for my performance at the Covent Garden Ballet on 2nd May! All proceeds from this performance will help to keep this ballet blog going and to help finance my travel!*
