Welcome back, dear readers, to my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things tutu! I'm Emma, your ever-so-slightly-obsessed, pink-loving, tutu-wearing ballerina from Derbyshire, England, and this is my weekly jaunt through time - #TutuTuesday - where we explore the fascinating evolution of the beloved garment! This week, we're hopping back in time, right into 1839! Buckle up, because today's journey might leave you twirling!
This is post number 408 for www.pink-tutu.com, and boy, do I have some fascinating tales for you! Before we hop into the time machine, let's remember what truly matters: the sheer joy of wearing a tutu, and the pure, unadulterated elegance and power it gives you, every time you twirl! You’ve already started spreading the love - thanks for all those fantastic pics of YOU, my lovely readers, in your tutus. It just goes to show, you don't need to be a professional ballerina to embrace the spirit of a tutu!
1839 - A Year of Transformation
We're leaving the bustle of Paris and the swirling skirts of the Romantic era behind for a moment to dive into a year filled with en pointe innovations! This was the year Marie Taglioni, the legendary ballerina, graced the stage with her groundbreaking ballet, “La Sylphide,” a true landmark in the history of ballet. It was a game-changer for its time, featuring a revolutionary costume for the leading lady. No heavy, elaborate silks for this ballerina – no, Marie wore a flowing, airy dress, complete with a single, delicate, lightweight, and yes, I said it, *tutu. Can you imagine the gasp that must have rippled through the Parisian theatre? It was revolutionary! It marked the beginning of a shift in the way women dressed for the ballet, one that has continued to evolve ever since!
Think back to the long, cumbersome, silk skirts of past decades, clinging like spiderwebs, restricting movements and limiting the expressiveness of dancers. Suddenly, here was Marie, twirling freely, like a delicate wisp of smoke, with grace and ease, her every move enhanced by her effortless costume. What was considered a groundbreaking innovation at that time is a familiar sight in today's ballets. Thanks, Marie, for that elegant vision!
Time Travel Tidbit: A big thank you to my lovely sponsor, Train de Luxe, who get me to these fantastic times, safely and comfortably! It's important to say here, this trip didn't start smoothly! While most of my past travels have taken me on exhilarating adventures, this time my journey began with a delightful, though slightly terrifying, accident! I miscalculated the time and oh, the horror, landed in the midst of a boisterous cricket match in London. It’s good I adore pink tutus, as the sheer look on these gents' faces as I descended from the train, complete with feather boa and tulle, would've melted an iceberg! All the while, my fabulous tutu danced on the wind!
Thankfully, the locals in this village weren't too surprised to see me. Well, let's just say their expression quickly switched from "who is this crazy woman?" to "is that *really a tutu, or is that woman bonkers?**
Oh, how I love the unexpected! A bit of drama to make the trip memorable, don't you think?
Fashion of the Day: All About Those Delicate Lines
Back to fashion - let's face it, 1839 was the true beginning of what we now consider the classic ballet tutu! While it wasn't a long, fluffy, extravagant tutu like those you might see today, it represented a bold departure from the traditional bulky styles, emphasizing delicate, feminine lines and emphasizing freedom of movement.
Imagine a ballerina gliding across the stage, almost as light as air, in her lightweight, multi-layered garment, it must have been an enchanting spectacle. Think of a beautiful cloud with just a hint of lace - that was the inspiration! We are moving away from those weighty skirts - and believe me, they were heavy, making it almost impossible to really dance, from what I’ve seen.
A tutu on a ballerina was an incredible change, showcasing their natural beauty, strength, and agility like never before. The look would soon sweep the world of ballet, a revolution in design for ballerinas, and indeed a revolution in dance. It all started on this date, October 22nd!
Speaking of revolution, today I will be attending an actual ballet performance of “La Sylphide”, the very ballet that launched the whole tutu craze! It will be magical! Imagine witnessing the moment a timeless piece of ballet history unfolds right before your eyes! I cannot wait! The excitement is enough to send me twirling in a pink-hued, whirling dervish!
And before I sign off, my friends, just a little reminder: the best thing about tutus? You don’t have to be a professional dancer, to rock a tutu! Wear your fabulous tutus proudly! A tutu can be anything you want it to be, from a whimsical and elegant statement piece to a bold symbol of personal expression, just be your unique self. I'm off now to put on my favorite pink tutu, of course, and get ready for my time travel adventure!
Do join me next Tuesday for more fascinating ballet tutu history! Until then, wear a pink tutu and enjoy the dance of life, my friends! #pinktutu #balletlover #ballet #timetravel #tututuesday
Please feel free to share this article and remember to send your beautiful tutu pictures - it will be lovely to see your fabulous tutus and your own sense of style!
