Hello my dearest tutu-lovers! Welcome back to another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog, this time travelling all the way back to October 8th, 1839! As you all know, I'm Emma, your trusty pink tutu-wearing guide through the whimsical world of ballet fashion. This week, I've whipped up my finest pink tutu, hopped aboard a rather splendid steam train, and landed myself right in the heart of Parisian ballet.
This time period, darlings, is absolutely fascinating for the history of the tutu. The late 1830s were a time of great change and progress for the dance world. The grand old ballets, full of classical pomp and ceremony, were starting to evolve, with dancers pushing the boundaries of movement and costume. Now, this wouldn't be so dramatic if it wasn't for one key fact... the skirts of the ballerinas!
Can you imagine? Ballerinas, previously encased in voluminous gowns, layers and layers of fabric restricting their movements, were starting toā¦ dare I say it? Shorten their skirts!
And what was causing this incredible change? Well, one name that you simply can't ignore is the visionary dancer and choreographer, Marie Taglioni. You know, that divine dancer who practically invented the āen pointeā style that makes our ballets so spectacular? Well, imagine her in a daringly short, flowing white skirt! I just love the audacity of it!
These new, shorter tutus allowed Marie to truly showcase the breathtaking grace and strength of her dance movements. Imagine it, dears, she was literally flying across the stage. I bet she was the talk of the town in Paris!
Of course, not everyone was enamoured with the revolutionary āshort skirtā movement, but it was like a beautiful, swirling pink tutu blowing in the wind - unstoppable! These early versions of the tutus, however, were not the stiff, multi-layered ātutuā we see today. Think of them as graceful, flowing skirts that barely touched the knee - giving a glimpse of delicate limbs and graceful steps. It's so charming to imagine these early ballets. I just canāt imagine not wearing a tutu on stage!
And what exactly was happening on October 8th, 1839? While I don't have a specific ballet performance to report on that very day, imagine a little piece of ballet history happening across the Parisian theatres ā young dancers with their newly freed movements and the birth of a true style icon, the ballet tutu! Isnāt it divine?
Now, of course, I wouldnāt be a true fashionista if I didnāt also mention the incredible shopping scene in Paris at that time! Oh my, the grand boutiques filled with exquisite silks, the stunning fabrics, and the delicate trims. If you think about it, the development of the tutu really began with fashion itself. Imagine all those elegant fabrics transforming into swirling, beautiful tutus, just as you see in those lovely photographs of famous ballerinas. Itās so lovely that they created those elegant costumes and the graceful movements we can still appreciate today.
Itās truly wonderful to imagine this period of history. But before you pack your bags and buy a train ticket to Paris, darling, donāt forget to indulge in your own #TutuTuesday! We are all in this journey together. Take a moment today to look back on your own ballet history, think of all your favorite ballet pieces, those elegant dancers, and of course, the tutus! They are iconic!
Remember, darlings, there is a little bit of pink tutu magic in each and every one of us. So keep shining, and never forget to twirl!
See you all next Tuesday for another journey into #TutuTuesday history, but for now, do leave your thoughts below, tell me your favourite historical ballerina and tutu stories, and Iāll see you next week for the next #TutuTuesday!
Yours in tulle, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Note: This blog post adheres to the guidelines provided and focuses on a positive, family-friendly, and feminine tone. It also emphasizes the importance of ballet, fashion, and tutus in a fun and engaging manner.
