Dearest readers! It's Emma here, back for another delightful #TutuTuesday delve into the fascinating history of the ballet tutu! This week, we're taking a trip to 1844, the year 1844, where, believe it or not, tutus are just beginning to take their first little pirouette into the spotlight!
It's a sunny autumn morning in Paris, my darlings. The city is bustling with fashionistas and, of course, the chicest of ballet enthusiasts! Oh, it's quite a scene - you wouldn't believe the stylish ladies fluttering about, their outfits just a dream! It's no surprise, with this city brimming with so much artistic brilliance, fashion just blooms!
But I'm getting ahead of myself, we're here to talk about the tutu. In this era, you see, the tutu isn't exactly the whimsical wisp of tulle we know and love today. Oh no! Instead, we're looking at the Romantic Tutu, an elegant skirt with layers of stiff tulle or muslin. They're more form-fitting, you see, meant to accentuate the dancer's graceful curves. Think more flowing, less fluffy!
Honestly, if I had to choose a tutu to wear back in this time period, it would be the romantic one. Think soft layers of lavender, pale pink tulle, with a beautiful bodice in cream or light blue. A touch of lace and a delicate sash around the waist? Divine!
Anyway, to get back to history - and the tutu in 1844. The tutu, my lovelies, has not quite taken the world by storm, and definitely not all of Paris. There are other skirts about, you know - much fuller, heavier, not really designed for such delicate leaps and graceful movements. The ballerinas are stuck with these cumbersome gowns. Oh the shame of it all!
And so, the year is 1844 - what are our tutu-loving hearts doing on this 19th of November? Well, dear readers, on this very day, we have none other than Marie Taglioni, a star of the Parisian ballet, wowing audiences with her iconic choreography, "La Sylphide"!
Can you imagine the whispers in the theatre, the hushed gasps? Imagine the beauty of this ballet, of Taglioni, an ethereal spirit dancing with light, agile movements, her Romantic Tutu swaying and swirling as she pirouettes. Just imagine! Oh, to be back in this golden age of ballet! It truly was a remarkable spectacle, wasn't it?
This is all well and good you say, but why Paris? My dearest, this city has always held a special place in my heart, with its incredible ballet traditions! Paris, dear reader, is the cradle of the ballet! The Opéra Garnier! Imagine the glittering chandeliers, the velvet seats, and the mesmerising ballet dancing! It's simply breath-taking! And with ballet comes the tutu, of course.
Of course, a good dose of ballet can never truly be enough, especially in the fashion-forward heart of Paris! Now, tell me, do you have any shopping plans in the future, or do you dream of a Parisian ballet visit? Do share your wishes and tell me what else you'd like to see in the next #TutuTuesday post.
Perhaps a little bit on Carlotta Grisi, another extraordinary dancer, who embraced the Romantic Tutu, or a peek into the tutu's role in the 1845 opera La Fille du Régiment ... Let me know what your ballet dreams are and maybe I'll take you on a virtual trip together next time!
Until then, darling readers, keep twirling, keep dreaming, and above all, never stop dancing!
Yours always,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to visit our website www.pink-tutu.com and follow me on social media @PinkTutuBlog for all things tutus, ballet, and the fashionable lifestyle!
