Hello darlings, and welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday on pink-tutu.com! It's me, your pink-clad, time-traveling ballerina, Emma, ready to take you on another twirling journey through history, this time landing in the captivating world of 1839.
Ooh, this is a fascinating year for our tutus, you see, because the whole shape of ballet is changing. Forget your frilly romanticism! We're starting to see something new, something daring, something powerful.
But before we dive into the ballet world of 1839, let's set the scene. My time travel contraption dropped me right here in Paris. Ahhh, Paris! The city of love, of lights, of fashion. We're in the heart of a whirlwind of creative energy. Art, theatre, music, it's all swirling around us, and ballet is very much part of that mix.
Oh, the shopping, my dears! I absolutely must confess I was whisked away to La Maison Worth, the most chic couture house in all of Paris, to see the most magnificent gowns. I practically melted when I saw a skirt so wide and billowing, with its layers of silk and tulle – you're absolutely right! It looked like a tutu in a fancy dress!
And speaking of tutus, there's something thrilling happening on stage at the Paris Opera this week! It's La Fille du Régiment, an operetta by Donizetti, with this enchanting Maria, a young, vibrant girl who throws on her peasant skirts, which... drumroll... look a little like a tutu. Just a tad! Could it be a sign of things to come? This Maria character is so free and spirited, dancing about with a flurry of motion – it's almost like a ballerina! I can just picture her doing a little fouetté here and there, don't you think?
It's this rebellious energy that's seeping into ballet as we know it, a departure from the refined, graceful styles of the past. Think more about graceful athleticism, a lightness and fluidity. This change in the tutus is a big one, lovelies. The long, flowing skirts that defined romantic ballet are shrinking, getting shorter and tighter. They’re evolving into something closer to what we now call a "classical tutu," which has a little bit more body and movement to it. And what better place for these changes to happen than in the centre of ballet – Paris, my darlings!
But, how did these new ideas come to life, you ask?
It's all about progress and innovation, my loves! A dancer called Marie Taglioni - the ultimate darling of the stage in the 1830s! This elegant queen of ballet was so strong and expressive, so delicate and graceful, she wanted a tutu that showed off her movements better, allowed her to leap higher, and show those beautifully honed leg lines in all their glory.
And you know, my sweet dears, I understand her totally! Who wants to be shrouded in miles of fabric? Imagine if I couldn’t twirl freely in this magnificent pink tutu, showing off all these cute little frills and feathers? I would be mortified! It’s not only about looks, it's about making each move count, showcasing that artistry and passion!
Marie Taglioni was the ultimate trendsetter, with a flair for fashion! She commissioned a new tutu – a shorter, tighter design, one with fewer layers of material – this was revolutionary. Think lighter, leaner, and more movement! This lighter, lighter, darling tutu brought with it more daring leaps and faster pirouettes. A new era for ballet! A visual and emotional spectacle with movements designed to capture the audience's breath and hearts!
You see, my lovely followers, ballet isn't about hiding yourself in layers upon layers of fabric. It’s about showcasing the beauty and strength of the human form. About pushing boundaries. About defying gravity and creating pure, unadulterated artistic expression.
This new design was called the tutu à la grecque, named after the statuesque beauty and lightness of ancient Greek sculpture, making our ballerina heroines look absolutely divine on stage. Think Goddess, darlings, think divine.
It's just like Marie herself - a legend in her own right, the darling of her day. But she’s also inspired dancers for centuries after. She helped ballet transform into a new chapter of expression, of showcasing the body in all its brilliance.
While Paris may be at the heart of these revolutions, let’s take a peek across the channel! Over in London, I must say, the audiences seem equally enthralled by the changes in ballet. There's a new fascination with the new, lighter, faster, more captivating way of dancing, so don’t be surprised to find many Londoners packing their best frock and dashing off to the theatre to see the latest performance!
Here in 1839, ballet is vibrant and exciting, ready to be explored with an open mind and heart, my darlings! It’s a moment in time where beauty, artistry and change intertwine in the most fabulous way!
So, next time you’re watching a ballet performance, take a moment to appreciate those dancers, twirling away in their airy, graceful tutus, remembering the incredible journey of ballet fashion! Just think how Marie Taglioni would feel, to know that her style, her elegance, and yes, her amazing leaps, are still being celebrated across centuries!
And remember, loves, that in this world of changing styles and fashions, one thing remains constant: The love of dance, the passion for expression, and that yearning for something beautifully, dramatically fabulous!
Keep twirling and keep dancing!
XOXO
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Stay tuned for next week’s #TutuTuesday. I’m already planning an amazing journey to another thrilling moment in ballet history, darlings!
