Welcome back to Pink Tutu, my darling readers! It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another trip back in time with your favourite time-traveling ballerina – that’s me, Emma! Today, we’re whisking you away to a momentous day in ballet history - July 23rd, 1839! Now, you might think, "What’s so special about July 23rd, 1839?" Well, my dear friends, it’s the day the tutu was born!
Okay, maybe it’s not exactly that dramatic. You see, tutus didn’t spring into existence overnight, but a certain event happened that paved the way for the tutus we know and love. Before 1839, ballerinas were weighed down by elaborate and rather uninspiring costumes – think flowing gowns, lots of fabric, and a whole heap of tulle, but in a very, shall we say, un-tutu-esque fashion.
Imagine all that fabric, darling! It might be lovely on a day out for afternoon tea but hardly ideal for swirling and leaping across the stage, now wouldn't it? But a daring vision, in the form of a new choreography and new clothing design, changed everything!
We’re talking about the legendary "La Sylphide," choreographed by none other than the legendary August Bournonville, set in a romantic, otherworldly forest filled with beautiful nymphs. The ballet tells a heart-breaking tale of love lost between a mortal and a mythical sylph, and guess what – it was designed to be graceful and ethereal, light and airy, and it absolutely demanded a brand new look!
Enter Marie Taglioni – the “Queen of the Ballet”, known for her unbelievable technical skill, poise, and effortless beauty, a veritable ballet legend! This darling had such extraordinary grace and ability that she actually took it upon herself to help design a costume perfect for "La Sylphide" – the first true ballet tutu!
It’s said that the revolutionary look was based on the classical Greek goddess, draped in lightweight, diaphanous fabric – and let me tell you, this was a whole new way to think about ballet clothing! No longer would the ladies be swaddled in heavy, cumbersome fabric, instead, a vision of feminine lightness and ethereal elegance took to the stage. What a glorious transformation for the ballet world!
I’ve just come back from seeing this glorious ballet – actually, I saw it twice because it's that good, my dears! I travelled on the train from Derbyshire, which of course meant a perfect opportunity for an impromptu tutu fashion shoot, on the platform of course - after all, where else would you wear your tutu?!
Anyway, seeing the exquisite ballet was the perfect way to travel back to 1839. Even without time travel technology (which I assure you, I'm very close to getting), it was absolutely delightful! This incredible new look that Maria Taglioni helped design for this piece of ballet was the defining moment in ballet history, marking a shift in style and expression, where femininity, grace, and ethereal beauty would forever shine through. It was truly an iconic design and, my friends, it wouldn't have been possible without this wonderful day in July.
So, there you have it! From bulky robes to the graceful, weightless tulle, the tutu as we know it began its enchanting story. How very fitting, don’t you think? It's the start of an absolutely glorious era for dance, for fashion, for artistic expression! It’s hard to imagine where ballet would be without those magical and iconic designs!
Remember, dear readers, you can make history too! Next time you find yourself twirling around, wearing your favourite pink tutu – think about Marie Taglioni and her legacy! This time, maybe even imagine that you’re in a magical forest filled with dancing sprites and magical music! Because, at the end of the day, isn’t that the real magic of ballet?
Oh! Speaking of magic – remember to check back next week for Tutu Tuesday, Part 396! We’re going on a whirlwind trip around the world of ballet fashion, trends and historical costume evolution! You won't want to miss it!
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, @EmmaPinkTutu and find more historical and beautiful ballet resources at www.pink-tutu.com! 🩰💕
See you next week, my dearest friends!
