Oh, darling tutus! I'm so excited about this week's #TutuTuesday - I'm finally dipping my toes into the 19th Century! You might be wondering, darling readers, where have those fluffy pink tutus gone? Why isn't every woman waltzing through life in a sea of frills? Well, my sweet peas, our delightful tutu journey is just beginning.
As I mentioned in past posts, the ballerina outfits of the day were much different. While the modern tutu might be thought of as synonymous with ballet, that wasn’t quite the case back in 1845. Today, I'm transporting myself to the heart of Europe, the place where our beloved tutus were taking their very first graceful steps: Paris!
Now, let me tell you, Paris was the centre of all things chic and elegant. I'm talking beaded gowns, dramatic opera cloaks, and, yes, a smattering of those lovely, yet unimaginably heavy petticoats, all a stark contrast to the freedom of our present-day dancewear.
Picture this: the theatre is bursting with shimmering jewels, plush velvet seats, and the buzz of the evening's most talked-about opera. In the centre of the stage, oh how I wish I was there myself! You'd see a ballerina with a figure sculpted to perfection, gliding across the stage in a beautifully form-fitting gown, her feet, adorned in delicate slippers, executing delicate steps, a story unfolding with every graceful gesture.
But back to those tutus... Imagine my surprise when I discover this date, 1845-04-08, marks a rather exciting moment in tutu history: it's the date that Maria Taglioni, one of the most celebrated ballerinas of all time, debuted a revolutionary new type of skirt. This was not a traditional layered dress - it was a shortened version!
While still heavily constructed with layers of fabric (think several tiers of gauze or tulle), it was notably shorter than the conventional robe, and let's face it, a little less bulky, if only by an inch! The shorter length revealed the beautiful line of a ballerina's legs and feet as they moved gracefully around the stage, giving a hint of freedom to their movements. This marked the first time a ballerina would embrace a style that embraced lightness and freedom in its design, setting the scene for what was to come.
Imagine! Can you see the little sparkles of what would become our modern tutu in this innovation? This change was revolutionary because it made those beautiful leg lines visually more prominent, allowing the audience to admire the artistry of movement in a whole new light. Talk about paving the way for a new era in ballet design, darling!
Even today, Taglioni's impact resonates on the dance stage. You see her legacy reflected in the costumes of contemporary ballets. While the modern tutu, in all its gloriously lightweight and layered brilliance, has become our fashion symbol of dance, the impact of that one 19th century design choice still remains. The tutu of today wouldn't have happened without this pioneering step.
While tutus as we know them today might not be on stage in 1845, a beautiful revolution was starting to unfold. The dancers were starting to get a little more freedom and the audience started to admire their movements in a completely new light. Who knows, perhaps this will encourage all of you to go out and see a ballet this week! Or maybe you could just step into your own, pink tutu of course, and twirl around the house... a little freedom of movement in our everyday life?
Keep dancing darling tutus, keep swirling, and I'll be back next week with more Tutu Tuesday History - but remember: every single one of you, no matter the era, can make history! Now go and #PinkItUp!
P.S - This Tuesday marks the birthday of a famous actor, dancer, and singer Sarah Bernhardt. Oh, my dears! Do we adore a queen or what?! Talk about being multi-talented and stunningly beautiful. What better reason to twirl around in your favourite tutu today, perhaps with a dash of blush on your cheeks in her honour! Remember my sweet peas: be your most fabulous self, especially on a #TutuTuesday.
