Hello lovelies, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! 🩰
Today, I’m feeling utterly fabulous. I’m channeling my inner Parisian ballerina, swirling through the streets in my latest pink tulle masterpiece, and I’ve just disembarked the train, having had a truly magnificent time at the Paris Opera. (I did say I love a bit of travelling by train! It’s so elegant.) My trip has been entirely inspired by today’s date, August 13th, 1844, a day forever etched in the hearts of those of us who adore the art of ballet. Why? Because, my dears, it’s the day Marie Taglioni - that Marie Taglioni - danced the very first public performance of La Sylphide, an enchanting ballet that completely changed the course of dance history, and is partly responsible for our beloved tutus!
Now, I must tell you, my dearest tutu enthusiasts, that the tutu you and I would instantly recognise in 2023, didn’t yet exist. This was, dare I say, a bit more… practical? Let's just say, the 'tutu' of this era, wasn't the fluffy, billowing dream we know and adore today. Instead, imagine a calf-length, billowing skirt, almost a very soft, delicate bell-shape. But that is not to say it didn't look exquisite - it definitely did, with Marie looking like a mystical sprite on the stage.
Now, where would I be without a little fashion talk? Honestly, I couldn’t resist getting a bit of Parisian shopping done! Imagine my delight when I spotted a silk dress in the most beautiful shade of rose! My mind immediately conjured up visions of swirling across the dance floor, and of course, my mind automatically paired the rose colour with a beautiful, pink-hued, slightly more elaborate than 1844 'tutu.' (Imagine my delight, just as I had dreamed, my very own bespoke creation was delivered to my hotel! And let me tell you, it was perfection! I'll be posting a full blog post and pictures this coming Saturday for #FrockFriday so be sure to look out for that).
And speaking of Paris... You’ve got to imagine what it must have been like in the Paris Opera House in 1844. The elegant dresses, the hushed anticipation, the grandeur! The world’s most celebrated ballet star in the most exquisite costumes, and, of course, La Sylphide herself. Imagine, you have to! ( I was so lucky, a generous ballerina kindly gifted me with her old theatre program. Imagine my thrill - a little piece of history! And it was in pink, a wonderful surprise! Now that's a keepsake.)
As I've mentioned, Marie Taglioni's revolutionary performance of La Sylphide caused quite the stir in the world of ballet, sparking a movement towards lightness, ethereal grace, and a distinctly romantic style, a stark contrast to the older, more dramatic, style. And of course, this, ladies and gentlemen, led to even more elaborate tutus.
It's a beautiful cycle: a ballerina with incredible talent inspires artists and audiences, which, in turn, inspires the world of fashion to craft new, extravagant, magical designs that the ballerina can wear! (And it must be said - how fabulous for the costume designers of the day to get a chance to show off their amazing skill!)
It wasn't just the skirts, though, it was everything! We're talking about soft romantic pointe shoes - no massive satin slippers! The shoes were simple and light, designed for maximum grace and poise, reflecting the delicate style.
And of course, let's not forget the hair, my dear tutus enthusiasts! Imagine those romantically tousled waves! They weren't as structured as in the earlier periods - more whimsical! Just picture a light spray of loose curls or waves framing her face. It must have been just enchanting!
And just imagine, how magical must La Sylphide have seemed as the enchanting ballerina moved with such effortless grace! She was, truly, an ethereal vision, floating across the stage! (And she was as thin as a sylphide! Now that is real commitment to your art!).
And who was this Marie Taglioni, who captured the heart of dance lovers with her graceful artistry and, quite literally, put ballet onto the map? She was the daughter of one of the most famous ballet masters of the era, and a brilliant, talented ballerina herself! She took to the stage at a very young age - such devoted training and talent!
Imagine that, as a little girl, she trained and studied for years and years until she could dance beautifully. It must have been unimaginably demanding, especially in that era. But that determination - what an inspiration for us! Just goes to show that achieving our goals - anything! - takes time, dedication and hard work!
To give you an idea of the kind of impression Marie made - there's a story about her iconic tutu from La Sylphide It's reported that it was bought by a Russian royal as a special gift - imagine that, a royal fan, wanting one of Marie's costumes.
Her performances captured hearts all across Europe, bringing a new, romantic spirit to ballet! That is exactly what La Sylphide achieved - it is quite literally magical! Just thinking about her story makes me want to twirl! (Especially while wearing the newest design from my pink tutu collection... Just wait till you see it!)
It was the style that really started a movement - there had to be more than just steps and choreography. Feelings mattered, you see, which is something that we love about ballet in any era! We don’t just want beautiful dancing. We want to feel something.
And of course, my dears, it's not just one person who deserves all the credit for all of these changes. I just love it when things evolve slowly, naturally. This was a collaboration of artistry! Dancers, designers, audiences - everyone contributed in some way. Imagine if no one cared! How boring would that be?! (And certainly, there were a whole lot of lovely talented ballet dancers at that time!)
The legacy of Marie Taglioni, La Sylphide, and of course the lovely tutues that evolved over the years lives on, and still inspires designers and audiences! And as my generation enjoys the spectacle of a gorgeous, modern, pink-hued, floaty tutu that is practically a fluffy pink cloud... It's still all down to the incredible, inspiring dancing.
And the love, of course! For all things pink! 🎀💕
Now, what do you think about the change of style from this era? What do you love about your favorite ballerina tutus? Leave a comment below, lovely ones!
(And you are welcome to wear your tutu - every single day! But if it's a bit too much... Pink accessories are always perfect.)
And be sure to join me for #TutuTuesday, next week, with my special ballet blog - "Is it truly possible to wear a pink tutu in every era??". 🩰 💕
P.S. Stay tuned next Tuesday for a behind-the-scenes tour of the most gorgeous dress shops in Paris! And remember to click 'subscribe' below. If you need more inspiration in your life - join the Pink Tutu crew - let's go dancing! ✨
